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The Holy Land News's avatar

I hope you have the patience to dig further:

Regavim Report: Staged Provocations and Fabricated Violence

The report by the Regavim Movement details how many reports of “settler violence” are actually propaganda to pressure Israel financially, and diplomatically, as well as the United States.

https://www.jns.org/israel-news/research-finds-90-of-incidents-of-violence-by-judea-and-samaria-jews-were-fake

NGO Regavim to countersue Canada, EU over sanctions, denies claims of violence - interview

On Tuesday, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, France, New Zealand, and Australia announced new sanctions against several individuals and organizations in the West Bank.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898968

Sheri Oz's avatar

I know this report and if you follow me, you know I always dig and i have exposed fake claims of specific incidents blamed on settlers. This piece is about one day only and has nothing to do with statistics.

The Holy Land News's avatar

Western MSM is not interested in facts, they will manipulate and publish only issues that strengthen their agenda.

Sheri Oz's avatar

I understand the concern. In fact, that was one of my hesitations before publishing. But I cannot decide whether to publish truthful reporting based on how someone else may misuse it. If I did, I would never publish anything. My responsibility is to report accurately, make the scope of the article clear, and let readers judge it on its own terms.

The Holy Land News's avatar

There's no denying that there are several naughty hillbillies in Judea and Samaria that take the law into their hands to retaliate against Arab aggression and provocation. These youngsters should be dealt with according to the law. The problem is that only these few reprisals by these hotheads are blown out of proportion by Western MSM as if the whole chaos, wars and instability in the ME is because of "illegal settlers in illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian territories", which realistically, historically and legally is total hogwash.

Solstice  Sunset's avatar

Thanks for sharing. When you mentioned chest tightness, I jumped to the conclusion that it was a heart attack. Then you confirmed it. Anyways, it's disappointing to read what happened, but a part of me is not surprised because too many people everywhere are testing limits and pushing boundaries. I too felt mad at rudeness to the military/police as I do when people say "defund the police" in my own country.

Donna's avatar

Sheri, thank you for your article. If there’s one thing we are lacking in all the noise, it’s the truth, and the courage to tell it. Today, you showed courage. ❤️

Allen Z's avatar

Are any of the settlers involved living in settlements that were set up illegally contra to what Israel has agreed to? If so, that's part of the problem, IMO.

Sheri Oz's avatar

In this case, they are from a legal settlement.

Lise Rosenthal's avatar

That’s a tough one. It was very courageous of you to publish it. It would be interesting if there were to be an unbiased decision about who the land actually belonged to. Do the former members of Gush Katif get to harvest the crops grown on the land that their government kicked them out of?

Sheri Oz's avatar

I got my unbiased answer from someone I know and have had other interactions with. But look how long it took.

Sheri Oz's avatar

I don't understand why you think you need to convince me of something I have written about myself.

The Holy Land News's avatar

It is meant for others who are reading your post to understand the background. You are well aware of the situation.

Hans Peeters's avatar

Thank you for your honesty and courage. An unpalatable truth is sweeter than a comfortable lie. Your integrity is what keeps the light shining.

Sheri Oz's avatar

I don't know about "sweet" but I sleep at night. Thanks for your supportive comment.

Mark Moulton's avatar

I like your point, "be civil to others." In some societies, "ownership" of land does not have meaning. In historical terms, when recording ownership, successive episodes of violence must also be recorded. What if we agreed a basis for relationship might be to cooperate to do what is best for the land? We might have to surrender notions like "infidel" though?

Gidon Ariel's avatar

As usual, an excellent article.

I have many comments, but I will limit myself now to this passage towards the end of your article:

"Later finding out that the land was owned by the farmers, something I suspect the settlers knew and that should have prevented the harassment"

I am friends with people who might not engage in stone throwing like the people you saw, but do not condemn it. I can only assume people who would do what you saw would think the same as them: the entire land of Israel belongs to Jews, private ownership by Palestinians (PS they would never use that term either) is null and void.

Which might go towards their behavior: violent engagements like the one you described are skirmishes in a war that will end when reality matches their vision: a Land of Israel free of enemies.

Sheri Oz's avatar

I also yearn for us to extend our sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. Then we will have a police force dealing with law and order and not the army that is not trained for policing.

Gidon Ariel's avatar

I didn't understand how your comment related to mine.

Also, that well known comment about policing bring different than soldiering: I wonder how different these skills really are, and how unprepared the IDF really is in that task, after doing it for over a half century

Sheri Oz's avatar

I can see where you think I was not relating to your comment. You were talking about motivation and I was talking about law and order. If we apply our sovereignty over the land, then the motivation (i.e., needing to protect our land) is not there any more. Private property will still be private property just like nobody contests private property (with the proper documents) within the armistice lines. Does that make sense?

Gidon Ariel's avatar

Yes, thank you.

I do wonder if the Jewish stone throwers and their ilk, when sovereignty is applied, will turn into "Jerusalem good boys" or find something else to riot about.

Diana Brewster's avatar

Sheri, thank you for your forthright investigations. I rely on you. I trust you. You follow the trail where it goes. You tell the story that presents itself, within the boundaries of what is known. What do we have, if we are unwilling to have an honest heart? Lies are no foundation at all.

Susan Gerichter's avatar

My thoughts exactly. Thank you, Diana. Sheri is my hero.

Sheri Oz's avatar

Thank you Diana and Susan.

Hether Warshauer's avatar

Wonderfully written. Thank you for sharing. I’ve had my own experiences with fellow Jews throwing rocks at me, and it’s really heartbreaking. ❤️‍🩹

Sheri Oz's avatar

Yes. I’d love it if you would share your experience with me in a private message.

Francisco J. Bernal's avatar

Thanks for another wonderful read. Please take care of yourself

Sheri Oz's avatar

Thank you.

Alexis Worlock's avatar

Once a war starts it has a life of its own. There are layers and layers here; none of this is really about olives. Brava to you, for having the bandwidth to seek truth even at personal cost.

Sheri Oz's avatar

Thanks for your supportive words. It means a lot to me.