An absurd theater: How ‘settler violence’ statistics fuel a false narrative - opinion

The article contends that statistics on "settler violence" in Judea and Samaria, often reported by international organizations and media, create a false narrative by misrepresenting reality. The author, mayor of Mitzpe Yeriho, argues that everyday Jewish life, security necessities, and even Palestinian fabrications are frequently counted as violent incidents, leading to inflated numbers and a distorted portrayal of the situation.

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The statistics are dutifully cited, the condemnations flow, and the world nods along as if we’ve unleashed some epidemic of terror on peaceful neighbors.

Organizations such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), B’Tselem, and Yesh Din are criticized for their role in this alleged misrepresentation. The article points to a Regavim NGO analysis of UN data from 2016 to early 2023, which found that over 86% of over 6,000 alleged incidents were not violent, involving no injuries or assaults. This forms the basis of what the author calls a "global indictment" against settlers.

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What exactly are they counting when they tally up “settler violence?”

Specific examples are provided to illustrate the alleged inflation of statistics. Jewish visits to the Temple Mount, described as quiet and prayerful, are reportedly logged as "violent incidents" simply for Jews appearing at the site. School trips by Israeli children to archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria are labeled "intimidation campaigns," and hikers accidentally crossing disputed land are categorized as "trespassing violence." Even traffic accidents involving Israeli-plated cars are automatically attributed to "settler" fault, and state-led road or fence construction for security purposes is counted as "encroachment."

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Over 86% weren’t violent at all. No injuries, no assaults, just presence, disputes, or nonsense.

These systematic inclusions, the author argues, pad the numbers and create an "illusion of a crisis." The article also mentions disputed land issues, such as olive trees allegedly cut by settlers, sometimes occurring after court rulings or instances of mutual vandalism. Minor property damage, like trash fires following terror attacks, is also cited as potentially being misattributed.

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Exercising our rights under Israeli law at the site of our ancient Temples is “violence.”