Conference of European Rabbis President Goldschmidt reacts to settler attacks in the West Bank

Conference of European Rabbis (CER) President Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt has reacted to attacks by radical Jewish settlers against Palestinians and mosques in the West Bank.

In an article he penned for Jüdische Allgemeine, Goldschmidt emphasized that the stance against violence committed in the name of the Jewish people must be clear. The CER President stated, "Our voice against violence committed in the name of the Jewish people must be as clear and strong as our voice against violence directed at us."

Goldschmidt noted that in recent weeks, mosques in Qusra, Qusra, and At-Tuwani in the West Bank have been repeatedly set on fire, slogans such as "Revenge" have been written on walls, and the homes of Palestinian families have been destroyed. Arguing that these events took place under the watch of the Israeli army, Goldschmidt said, "As rabbis who advocate for responsible Judaism, we cannot remain silent."

The CER President recalled that the Conference of European Rabbis had previously requested that the Chief Rabbinate of Israel clearly condemn similar attacks, and that this call had been answered. Goldschmidt also noted that Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir had also condemned the attacks.

According to Goldschmidt, the real problem is the lack of sufficient legal consequences following the condemnation statements. Arguing that indictments and convictions in arson cases remain the exception and that suspects are often released in a short time, Goldschmidt stated that this strengthens the perception of impunity and encourages new acts of violence.

''When mosques burn, our own credibility burns as well. Anyone who sets fire to a house of worship in the name of Jewish national interests not only attacks the human dignity of Muslims but also causes great damage to the moral foundation of the Jewish state.''

News Source: 12punto