JCRC Statement
October 19, 2026
The following is a statement from Ron Halber, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
“We are horrified that the escalating violence committed by some Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, which we condemned six months ago, has grown even more extreme, and we are equally appalled by the Israeli government’s unwillingness to stop it once and for all.
“There is no justification whatsoever for settlers terrorizing civilians, or for the recent assaults on a Washington Post photographer and European diplomats. They are morally wrong. They are endangering the lives and well-being of innocent Palestinians while increasing the risk of violent reprisals against innocent Israelis. They are also inflicting enormous damage on Israel’s reputation and standing in the United States and globally, as well as fanning the flames of rising antisemitism against Jews worldwide.
“We reiterate our call — and the growing calls of Jewish leaders and organizations both within and outside the region — for Israel’s leaders to finally put an end to these attacks. We hope that the recent arrests of 10 people marks the beginning of a long overdue crackdown on settler violence. All perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted, and anyone encouraging or enabling them should be held accountable.
“Violent extremists must not be allowed to define Israel or its people, but the government’s failure to adequately confront them undermines the values and security of a Jewish, democratic state. Every day this violence continues, the damage grows and the consequences become even more severe.”