WASHINGTON — J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement in response to the escalation in violence by West Bank settlers, including the recent attacks on the mosque in Galilee and on the gathering of protesters in Anatot:
J Street condemns in the strongest possible terms the rapid escalation of violence by West Bank settlers, including most recently the ‘price tag’ attack on a mosque in the Galilee and the brutal assault on a gathering of non-violent protesters in Anatot.
These incidents remind us of the devastating cost that extremists and the entrenchment of the settlement enterprise exact on Israel’s Jewish and democratic character.
As we approach one of the holiest days of the Jewish year, we hope rabbis, communal leaders and congregants will join us in speaking out unequivocally against this violence, which not only contradicts the highest values of our people but puts at risk our aspirations for Israel’s future.