Several prominent religious Zionist rabbis issued a rare joint declaration today (Tuesday) regarding the recent hostile attitude towards residents of the Judea and Samaria regions.
The letter was signed by Rabbi Dov Lior, Rabbi Haim Steiner, Rabbi David Chai HaCohen, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi Uri Cohen, Rabbi Hershkowitz, Rabbi of Samaria Rabbi Eliakim Levanon and Rabbi Yosef Artziel.
The Rabbis' letter states that "There is no doubt that the IDF and the security forces are working tirelessly to stop terrorists and protect the citizens of Israel, and we are full of appreciation and love for them. On the other hand, the attitude of the security forces towards the settlers is inappropriate to say the least."
"Above all is the fact that the State of Israel, a country with a strong army and one of the best capabilities in the world, has not provided an adequate response for years to the damage to the security and morale experienced by the citizens of the State of Israel. Terrorism does not stop and more and more families are bereaved.”
The Rabbis point out that they value the residents of Judea and Samaria for their firm stand in the face of terrorism over the years.
The letter concludes by asking Israel’s leaders to establish clear instructions regarding the proper treatment of Israeli citizens in Judea and Samaria and to distinguish them from Palestinian rioters, and saying that “We expect that these instructions will be in the spirit of Zionism and Judaism".