Settler extremism threatens to undo Israel — and Jews worldwide must take responsibility
American Jewish philanthropy must take on the radical settler movement
A Palestinian woman inspects her damaged house following an attack earlier by Israeli settlers in the West Bank town of Huwara, south of Nablus, on Dec. 4. Photo by Zain Jaafar / AFP / Getty Images
It is time for the Jewish diaspora to confront the growing challenge of Israeli domestic extremism. In recent months, we’ve seen too many harrowing examples of the harm inflicted by extremist Israeli settlers, undermining the Israel we hold dear — including the tragic killing of a 4-year-old Palestinian girl, and consistent news of mobs rampaging through Palestinian villages, vandalizing communities, and even violently attacking IDF soldiers.
The threats posed by Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran are real and pressing. Yet so are the existential dangers posed by internal extremism within Israel. Numerous respected national security experts have highlighted this peril, which threatens to unravel the democratic fabric of our nation, physically harm Israeli civilians, IDF soldiers and Palestinian civilians alike, and tarnish Israel’s global reputation as a beacon of hope and democracy in a volatile region.
Between October 2023 and July 2024, there have been a recorded 1,238 Israeli settler extremist-led incidents that have resulted in Palestinian casualties, damage to Palestinian property, or both.
Extremist settler activity “creates a most significant risk to the region’s security,” said Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet security service, last August. He warned that “we’re on the threshold of a significant, reality-changing process. The damage to Israel, especially at this time is indescribable”
My hunch is that most Israelis agree. They disapprove of the violence in the West Bank, and desire action to curb the criminal activities of extremist settlers. A recent poll found that 48% of Israelis support international sanctions against these extremist groups.
Resolving this issue is not just an Israeli responsibility — it is a global Jewish imperative.
The attacks, as Bar pointed out, leave “a large stain on Judaism and on all of us.”
The consequences of domestic extremism reverberate across the Jewish diaspora, harming our collective reputation and complicating our efforts to unapologetically advocate for Israel as a pro-West, pro-democracy partner. Whenever moral equivalence is drawn between Israel and Hamas, the violent actions of the Israeli extremist movement often serve as points of reference. While there is, of course, no true equivalence between the two, this movement’s behavior places us in an indefensible position when it comes to addressing the issue of extremist settlers.
Historically, Israel-focused diaspora philanthropy has focused on supporting vital organizations like Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces and United Hatzalah, both worthy and high-impact organizations. However, while this work is essential, we must also address the more complex and uncomfortable challenge of combating extremism within our own ranks through strategic philanthropy.
The American Jewish philanthropic community has long been at the forefront of combating hate and extremism in all its forms, exemplified by the establishment of transformative organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the American Civil Liberties Union.
It is time for the international Jewish community to step forward, incubating solutions and funding initiatives that tackle this issue head-on. Philanthropists have successfully supported deradicalization and anti-extremist efforts in the United States and Europe, funding organizations like the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which has a successful track record implementing programs to counter extremism in Europe and the U.S.
How can we credibly call for the deradicalization of Gaza to lay the groundwork for a lasting peace, while ignoring the need to deradicalize elements within our own ranks? The double standard undermines our moral authority, and weakens our case as in honest broker.
Addressing this issue is not about shaming Israel or giving fodder to hostile media eager to vilify the Jewish state. Rather, it is about upholding the values that have long defined the Jewish community — including introspection, accountability, and a commitment to progress. By confronting difficult truths and striving for higher ethical standards, we not only strengthen the moral fabric of Israel, but also reaffirm the Jewish community’s dedication to justice and the universal principles that have guided us throughout history.
This is a call to action. The global Jewish community must lead by example, taking proactive steps to address the challenge of Israeli domestic extremism. By doing so, we can signal to the world that we are committed to safeguarding Israel’s democratic values, and securing a future of peace and dignity for all its inhabitants.
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