Transcript [00:00] Two Israeli soldiers murdered, [00:02] international visitors attacked with [00:04] rocks, and a Jewish holy site set [00:06] ablaze. Yet much of the world's [00:08] attention remains [music] focused on [00:10] alleged settler violence. What's really [00:13] happening in Judea and Samaria? And why [00:16] is so much of the story being ignored? [00:19] This week on Judeian. Welcome back to [00:21] Judeication here on JNS TV. Five Israeli [00:25] soldiers were shot in Friday morning's [00:27] terrorist attack near the Yehuda [00:29] junction in the Hebrron area. Two [00:32] soldiers were killed. Staff Sergeant Ron [00:35] Yonatan Reitman, 23, of Ashcolon and [00:38] Sergeant Yuval Shai Salem, 20 of Huron. [00:42] Three other soldiers were wounded. The [00:44] two Arab terrorists were killed by IDF [00:47] troops after a 20minute gun battle. IDF [00:51] Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ayal [00:53] Zamir said during his situational [00:55] assessment that a large quantity of [00:57] ammunition was found in the terrorists [00:59] vehicle, adding that the swift action of [01:01] Israeli troops prevented an even more [01:04] severe attack. Prime Minister Netanyahu [01:06] said that Israeli forces had imposed [01:08] cordons on Hebrron and nearby Kahul [01:12] after the attack as an anti-terror [01:14] operation is currently underway. Folks, [01:18] the IDF is working around the clock, day [01:20] and night, to prevent terrorist attacks. [01:23] Our soldiers and security agencies are [01:25] thwarting the overwhelming majority of [01:27] attempted attacks, reportedly more than [01:29] 90%. Our gratitude to those brave men [01:33] and women cannot be overstated. But [01:35] unfortunately, as we saw on Friday, some [01:38] of the attacks get through. But it could [01:40] have been much, much worse. Thank God [01:43] for the brave IDF men and women who are [01:46] on the front lines. But we also have to [01:48] ask a bigger question. Is thwarting [01:51] individual attacks enough? How many more [01:54] times must the Israelis be wounded or [01:57] killed before our leadership decides to [02:00] dismantle the terrorist infrastructure [02:02] operating throughout Judea and Samaria [02:05] rather than simply respond to the next [02:08] attack? Do we need another October 7th [02:11] before we finally understand that [02:13] allowing terrorist networks to grow, arm [02:16] themselves, and plan attacks is an [02:18] unacceptable risk? And what about the [02:20] Palestinian Authority? An entity whose [02:23] leaders and institutions continue to [02:25] promote incitement against Jews, cannot [02:28] be treated as a reliable partner for [02:30] peace and security. When do we finally [02:33] say goodbye to the PA once and for all? [02:36] The IDF is doing its job with soldiers [02:39] risking their lives every single day to [02:41] protect Israeli civilians. Now, Israel's [02:44] political leadership must demonstrate [02:46] the same determination, [02:48] think strategically, and confront the [02:50] threat at its source. Enough already. We [02:54] cannot afford to wait for another [02:55] catastrophe before acting decisively. At [02:58] the same time, an international [03:00] delegation of pro-Israel influencers [03:02] came to Judea and Samaria this week to [03:04] see the situation on the ground for [03:06] themselves. Instead, they found [03:09] themselves under attack. Let's watch [03:11] this clip. [03:12] >> So, you understand who's the violent [03:14] people and who are the people who are [03:16] trying [03:17] to [03:28] All we were doing was going around this [03:30] village just looking at the houses and [03:33] poor Cindy. [03:36] The the woman who came on top of her, [03:40] >> she's got an injury. This is the 12 year [03:44] olds and 13y old. The innocent 12y olds [03:47] and 13y old. This This kills. It's not [03:50] just throwing stone. This kills. It [03:52] could almost have killed us. Here's what [03:56] happened. On Monday, October 19th, this [03:59] group traveling with the Israeli [04:00] organization Regaveim came under a [04:02] barrage of rocks near the Palestinian [04:05] Authority village of Turisiah. According [04:07] to Regaveim, dozens of attackers [04:10] targeted the delegation's vehicles, [04:12] shattered a windshield, and injured one [04:14] participant. The group was forced to [04:16] duck for cover, as you saw, as they [04:19] tried to escape. Cindy Senning, one of [04:21] the influencers who was injured, [04:23] described how the driver warned everyone [04:25] to lower their heads. She said, "If our [04:27] driver hadn't told us to lower our [04:29] heads, I don't know where we would be [04:31] today. He saved our lives," she said. [04:33] Fur Hassad Nakum, a former JNS TV host [04:37] who was in that video, described the [04:38] attack as horrifying, saying the group [04:41] was targeted simply because they were [04:43] there. The delegation had come to [04:45] examine issues shaping international [04:47] perceptions of Judea and Samaria, [04:49] including allegations of so-called [04:51] settler violence and the Palestinian [04:54] authorities efforts to establish facts [04:56] on the ground. Regaveim says its goal [04:58] was to give international voices an [05:00] opportunity to see the situation [05:02] firsthand rather than rely solely on the [05:05] narratives dominating international [05:07] headlines. But the visit took a violent [05:09] turn, underscoring the security [05:11] challenges faced by residents and [05:13] travelers in the region. Israeli [05:16] security forces responded to the [05:17] incident. Regaveim said it was grateful [05:20] that the delegation escaped without more [05:22] serious injuries and vowed to continue [05:24] bringing journalists, influencers, and [05:27] decision makers into Judea and Samaria [05:29] to document what is happening on the [05:31] ground. The message from Regaveim, [05:33] intimidation will not stop its efforts [05:36] to ensure that the realities of the [05:38] region are heard internationally. So [05:40] folks, that's the reality here. Israelis [05:43] and international influencers come on a [05:46] factf finding mission and are attacked. [05:48] Their crime entering an Arab [05:51] neighborhood. By the way, Terasa has a [05:54] very high population of Arabs with [05:56] American citizenship. If you've ever [05:58] traveled in the region, you know that [05:59] Arabs are free to use the highways [06:01] throughout Judea and Samaria. You see [06:04] Israeli license plates and PA green or [06:06] white plates all day long, but Jews [06:10] peacefully touring the area. Well, that [06:12] literally can become a matter of life or [06:14] death. The group was fortunate that [06:16] nobody was seriously injured. But make [06:19] no mistake about it, rocks can kill. [06:22] It's happened plenty of times before, [06:24] unfortunately, when Arabs using rocks as [06:27] a weapon murdered Jews. This is what's [06:30] going on here, plain and simple. The [06:32] media wants to talk about settler [06:34] violence, but ignores the thousands of [06:37] incidents of violence by those living [06:39] under the PA, directly at Jews, and in [06:42] this case, Jews and non-Jews who are on [06:45] a tour. Moving on, the Israel Defense [06:47] Forces is hunting for suspects after a [06:50] Jewish holy site was set on fire in the [06:53] Samaria village of Awarta. That's [06:55] southeast of Shrem. The attack targeted [06:58] the traditional tomb of Eleazar, the [07:00] high priest, the son of Aaron, and [07:03] successor to his father as the high [07:05] priest of Israel. The incident is about [07:08] more than just arson. It highlights a [07:11] broader struggle over Jewish history and [07:14] heritage in Judea and Samaria, where [07:16] attacks on Jewish holy sites threaten [07:19] not only physical landmarks, but also [07:21] the ability to preserve and maintain the [07:23] Jewish people's ancient connection to [07:26] the land. According to the IDF, troops [07:28] arrived after receiving a report and [07:30] footage of the burning, but the suspects [07:32] had already fled. No injuries were [07:34] reported. Police and forensic [07:36] investigators are preparing to examine [07:38] the scene, collect evidence, and take [07:41] witness statements. The Yesha Council's [07:43] Judea and Samaria situation room [07:46] reported that the arson took place [07:48] overnight between October 20th and 21st. [07:51] Video of the incident circulated on Arab [07:53] social media, reportedly accompanied by [07:56] messages glorifying the act and [07:58] threatening further violence. The attack [08:00] raises serious concerns about efforts by [08:02] individuals to erase or damage Jewish [08:05] historical and religious heritage. For [08:08] the Jewish people, these sites are not [08:10] merely ancient monuments. They are [08:12] tangible links to thousands of years of [08:14] history in the ancestral Jewish [08:16] homeland. The incident follows the [08:18] reported desecration of another [08:20] traditional Jewish holy site in Noarta, [08:22] the tomb of the 70 elders. That site was [08:26] reportedly marked with a flag belonging [08:28] to the Popular Front for the Liberation [08:30] of Palestine, the PFLP, along with [08:33] graffiti glorifying the October 7th [08:36] massacre. The IDF says security forces [08:38] are working to locate the suspects in [08:40] that incident and bring them to justice. [08:43] It's therefore no surprise that the [08:46] Palestinian Authority has a lot to say [08:48] about Nazis, especially when it comes to [08:51] accusing Israel of behaving like those [08:54] Nazis. Let's watch this clip from [08:56] Palestinian Media Watch. [09:04] [music] [09:08] foreign. [09:22] [music] [09:29] [music] [09:47] >> [music] [09:49] >> Wow. How many lies can they put in one [09:51] video clip as you just saw? Official [09:54] Palestinian Authority television [09:56] recently profiled Khaj Amin al- [09:58] Husseini, the Grand Mui of Jerusalem [10:00] during World War II, describing him as [10:02] one of the most prominent Palestinian [10:04] leaders of the 20th century and a symbol [10:07] of the Palestinian struggle. The [10:09] broadcast acknowledged that Al Husseini [10:11] went to Germany in 1941 to seek Adolf [10:14] Hitler's support for the so-called [10:16] Palestinian cause. But rather than [10:18] emphasizing his collaboration with the [10:20] Nazi regime, it described him as having [10:23] found refuge in Germany. The historical [10:26] record is far more disturbing. Al Husini [10:30] collaborated with the Nazis, met Hitler, [10:32] and used Nazi radio broadcasts to spread [10:36] anti-semitic propaganda. And yet, [10:38] according to PMW, PA media continues to [10:42] celebrate his legacy, while PA officials [10:44] and media outlets routinely label Israel [10:48] as the Nazis. That's the contradiction. [10:51] A figure who collaborated with Hitler as [10:54] presented as a national hero, while the [10:56] Jewish state is smeared with the very [10:59] label associated with the regime he [11:01] supported. When examining Palestinian [11:04] Authority messaging, it's important to [11:06] look not at what it says about Israel, [11:08] but also at the historical figures it [11:10] chooses to honor. The bottom line, the [11:13] PA was never and will never be a partner [11:16] for peace. Israeli policy should adapt [11:19] to that reality. Another important [11:21] report this week from Palestinian Media [11:23] Watch highlights what the PA school [11:25] children are being taught about Israel. [11:27] According to PMW, schools in Beirit [11:30] under the PA Ministry of Education [11:33] marked Palestinian Flag Day with posters [11:36] declaring free Palestine and displaying [11:39] a map that replaces the entire state of [11:42] Israel with a place called Palestine. [11:44] The report points to similar imagery [11:46] published by the PA Ministry of [11:48] Education last year, arguing that this [11:51] is part of a broader pattern in which [11:53] Palestinian Authority children are [11:56] exposed to messaging that erases Israel [11:58] from the map. Think about that for a [12:00] moment. These are school events [12:02] involving children under the opaces of [12:05] an official Palestinian Authority [12:07] education system. The message, as PMW [12:10] explains, is a depiction of all Israel [12:13] as Palestine with no recognition of [12:16] Israel on the map. This is another [12:19] report worth examining when we discuss [12:21] what the next generation of Arab [12:23] children is being taught about Israel [12:25] and whether the Palestinian Authority is [12:27] preparing children for coexistence or [12:30] reinforcing a message that excludes the [12:33] Jewish state entirely. Obviously, the [12:35] latter is the reality. Moving on, let's [12:38] take a look behind the scenes at the [12:40] olive harvest in Israel, which has been [12:42] drawing international attention. We [12:45] discussed it last week, but let's check [12:47] out this latest video and try to [12:49] explain. [13:04] This latest video, courtesy of the brand [13:06] new Judea and Samaria situation room [13:09] raises another important question. Are [13:12] we watching journalists simply [13:14] documenting events as they unfold? Or [13:17] are some activists, or rather I should [13:19] say anarchists, actively seeking out [13:22] confrontations that can become [13:24] international headlines? The footage [13:27] filmed in the Shilo Valley in the [13:28] Binyamin region shows far-left activist [13:32] Jonathan Pollock accompanying two Arab [13:34] olive harvesters. But look at the scene [13:37] surrounding them. A large gathering of [13:40] journalists and extremist Israeli [13:42] left-wing activists with cameras ready [13:45] and attention focused on the encounter. [13:48] According to the account accompanying [13:50] the footage, around 40 journalists and [13:52] anarchists were present, apparently [13:54] waiting for an opportunity to confront [13:57] Israelis. And that raises a serious [14:00] question when so many cameras are [14:02] already assembled around a particular [14:04] encounter. Are they simply there to [14:06] document what happens or is the [14:08] possibility of a confrontation itself [14:11] part of the reason everyone has [14:12] gathered? And this is how a media [14:14] narrative can take shape. Activists [14:17] again, or should I say anarchists, [14:20] organize around a politically sensitive [14:22] location. Cameras are ready to record [14:25] the interaction, and any confrontation [14:27] can quickly become a headline about [14:30] Israeli settlers and innocent [14:32] Palestinian olive harvesters. In [14:35] reality, this is called paliwood, the [14:38] creation of politically useful imagery [14:40] designed to shape international [14:41] perceptions of Israel. The concern is [14:44] that activists from within Israel's own [14:47] far-left movement are helping to [14:49] manufacture the circumstances for these [14:51] media moments. While international [14:53] coverage focuses on the resulting images [14:56] without fully explaining how the scene [14:59] came together, the event raises [15:01] questions that responsible journalists [15:03] should be willing to investigate. Who [15:05] organized the gathering? Why were so [15:07] many cameras already there? And was the [15:10] goal simply to document the olive [15:12] harvest or to generate a confrontation [15:14] that could be used to advance a [15:16] political narrative? I have no doubt it [15:19] was the latter. In Judea and Samaria, [15:22] the battle is not only over land. It is [15:25] also about the images that reach the [15:27] world and the story those images are [15:29] used to tell. Sticking with the media, a [15:31] major American news program is facing [15:34] questions over its reporting on Judea [15:37] Samaria. In an October 11th report, [15:40] CBS's 60 Minutes correspondent Leslie [15:42] Stall presented a striking claim that [15:45] Israeli sheep farms had taken over 20% [15:48] of what she called the West Bank with [15:51] some 200 sheep farms established in [15:53] recent years. But according to a [15:55] detailed analysis by Camera, the [15:58] Committee for Accuracy and Middle East [15:59] Reporting and Analysis, the figures [16:01] behind that claim do not support the [16:03] conclusion that CBS presented. Let's [16:06] break it down. First, the 20% figure. [16:09] Camera says the number appears to [16:11] combine two separate claims from [16:13] different sources. One refers to [16:16] approximately 200 farming outposts [16:18] reportedly established since 2023. The [16:21] other attributed to an Israeli [16:23] organization called Farm Association [16:25] estimates that more than 1.1 million [16:28] dunams in area C are used for [16:30] agriculture and grazing combined. But [16:33] that second figure does not say that all [16:35] the land is used for sheep grazing and [16:38] the number of farming outposts by itself [16:40] does not establish how much territory [16:42] they occupy or control. Camera also [16:45] examined a 2024 report by peace now and [16:49] Karam Navote that estimated Israeli [16:51] shepherds were using 14% of land in [16:55] Judea and Samaria. The problem camera [16:57] argues is the report's methodology. [17:00] Rather than documenting the physical [17:02] presence of sheep across all the land [17:04] counted, the researchers relied on [17:07] indicators including agricultural land [17:11] left uncultivated, new roads, water [17:14] infrastructure, fences, and gates. [17:17] Camera says those indicators do not [17:19] establish that sheep were present on [17:21] every parcel or that Israeli shepherds [17:24] were responsible for Palestinian farmers [17:27] leaving their land uncultivated. In [17:29] other words, the criticism is not simply [17:32] about the percentage. It is about [17:34] whether the evidence actually proves the [17:36] claim being made by CBS. But Cameron [17:39] says the problem with the 60 Minutes [17:41] report goes even further. There is the [17:44] claim by 60 minutes of more than 1600 [17:47] incidents of alleged settler violence [17:50] which stall also cited. Camera argues [17:54] that the numbers used by OSHA, the UN [17:56] body which documents alleged settler [17:58] violence includes a broader range of [18:01] events than viewers might assume, [18:03] including some incidents involving the [18:06] Israeli security forces along with [18:08] events in which Israeli settlers were [18:11] not involved. In other words, OSHA [18:14] alleges settler violence. When Israeli [18:17] security personnel or IDF soldiers kills [18:20] a terrorist who tries to murder Jews, [18:22] somehow the Jews in Judea are blamed and [18:26] not the terrorist. Camera also cites a [18:28] Regaveim analysis that challenges OSHA's [18:31] classification of incidents at the [18:33] Temple Mount. In other words, when Jews [18:36] peacefully visit the Temple Mount, that [18:38] is somehow construed as settler [18:41] violence. As camera points out, these [18:44] are all serious allegations and serious [18:46] statistics. They deserve careful [18:48] scrutiny, not automatic acceptance or [18:51] dismissal. To be clear, questioning the [18:54] methodology behind these figures does [18:56] not mean that every single allegation of [18:58] so-called settler violence is false. It [19:01] means that news organizations should [19:03] explain what their statistics measure, [19:05] how they are compiled, and whether the [19:07] evidence supports the conclusions [19:09] presented to viewers. Camera says it has [19:12] written to CBS requesting substantiation [19:16] for the 20% claim. The broader issue [19:19] though is journalistic accountability. [19:22] This especially in Judea and Samaria [19:25] which is somehow front page headlines on [19:28] a regular basis even with thousands of [19:30] other stories which should be covered [19:33] worldwide. But when a major news [19:35] organization presents one side of a [19:37] story, its statistics and conclusions [19:40] must withstand scrutiny because viewers [19:43] deserve more than a compelling [19:45] narrative. They deserve reporting that [19:48] gets the facts right. And we'll end [19:51] today with some positive news from [19:52] Beyamin because while so much of the [19:54] international conversation focuses on [19:57] conflict, there's another story [19:59] unfolding on the ground. Israel [20:01] continues to build and grow. Work is [20:04] being accelerated on Highway 437, the [20:07] major road connecting the Piscad [20:09] neighborhood of Jerusalem through Adam [20:12] to Sharbamin. The expanded road is now [20:15] expected to open in early 2028, a year [20:18] ahead of schedule. The roughly 400 [20:21] million shekele project will expand the [20:23] road to three lanes in each direction, [20:25] improving access to Jerusalem, easing [20:28] traffic congestion and serving tens of [20:30] thousands of travelers every day. [20:32] Beyamin Regional Council head and Yesha [20:34] Council Chairman Israel Gan says the [20:36] investment is about more than improving [20:38] the daily commute. It is also about [20:40] preparing the infrastructure for [20:42] continued growth and for more families [20:44] to move to the region. And that brings [20:46] us to a bigger point. Every new road, [20:50] every new school, every new playground, [20:52] and every new pergola is another sign of [20:55] communities putting down roots and [20:57] building for the future. These are not [21:00] just construction projects. They [21:02] represent families raising children, [21:04] communities expanding, and people [21:06] investing in their future here in Judea [21:09] and Samaria. The message is simple. Life [21:13] goes on. Development continues. And the [21:15] Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria [21:17] are building for generations to come. [21:20] Because the future of the region isn't [21:22] just being debated in diplomatic halls [21:24] or international newsrooms. It's being [21:27] built on the ground. one road, one [21:29] school, and one community at the time. [21:32] And that is how you show that we are [21:34] here to stay and that we intend to be [21:37] here forever. Thanks for joining us on [21:39] this week's Judia occasion. Very special [21:41] thanks to producer Barbara, engineer [21:44] Aaron Wagantern, Zack Sickerman, Ryan [21:46] Lifchett, station manager Yuri Spredky, [21:49] and video editor Olga Senov. My name is [21:52] Josh Hasten. Thanks so much for joining [21:53] us. Make sure to give us a super thanks, [21:56] subscribe, check out all the amazing [21:58] content provided by JNS TV, and of [22:01] course, go to jns.org for all the latest [22:04] breaking news from Israel, the Middle [22:05] East, and the entire Jewish world. We'll [22:07] see you next week here on Judeaication [22:10] on JNS
