At the beginning of February, President Joe Biden issued an unprecedented executive order targeting Israeli settlers in Judea and Samaria the White House accuses of escalating violence. The executive order, according to President Biden, comes in response to “high levels of extremist settler violence…” that has, “reached intolerable levels and constitutes a serious threat to the peace.”

The falsehood of escalating "Settler Violence"

While the Biden Administration is alarmed by "settler violence" it considers a national security threat, the data show a very different picture. Official Israeli numbers show that not only is violence by Israelis against Palestinians negligible compared to the violence perpetrated against Jews, there were fewer violent incidents in 2023 compared to 2022. Palestinian Arab terrorism, meanwhile, remains at historic highs. In other words, not only have there been relatively low number of attacks by Jews on Palestinian Arabs, that number has also been falling. 

Often incidents that make the news as "settler violence" are actually Israelis responding to provocations such as when Palestinian Arabs and activists steal sheep, physically harass settlers, or cause property damage.

In Pursuit of a Two State "Solution"

In reality, this is another thinly veiled attempt to push for a two-state “solution” and demonize Jews living in Judea and Samaria. The most outrageous part of all of this is that we are just over 4 months removed from the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th, an event that should have ended the two-state delusion once and for all. Instead, the Biden administration has continued giving money to the corrupt Palestinian Authority, gave $6 billion dollars to Iran last year, and is now attempting to strong-arm Israel into giving up Judea and Samaria to be a Palestinian State.

Related Reading: We Can't Escape This Clear Choice

The executive order is deeply concerning. Despite words of support coming from President Biden, his actions have consistently been aimed at undermining Israel’s government and pushing for a Palestinian state, which would be an even larger version of what Gaza is now—a terrorist state dedicated to Israel’s destruction. According to the executive order, any individual or organization that engages in actions “that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank,” will be subject to having their assets frozen and visas to the U.S. revoked. The order also prohibits any U.S. citizens from contributing funds or goods to benefit whoever is designated.

The danger of this cannot be overstated. It is very easy to see a situation where the Biden administration uses this order to crack down on businesses and families like the very ones we offer products from. People who want to support Jewish life in Judea and Samaria could be prevented by an anti-Israel administration that is actively designating Israelis as “the obstacle to peace,” simply for being Jews living in the Heartland of Israel. A month after the executive order was made, there are reports the US State Department is considering sanctioning more Israelis.

JNS quoted law professor Eugene Kontorvich who said “Biden’s executive order is not about ‘violent settlers.’ It’s actually much broader and applies to anyone who opposes the current U.S. administration’s vision for a two-state solution. There is no requirement of violence…”

“Biden’s executive order is not about ‘violent settlers.’ It’s actually much broader and applies to anyone who opposes the current U.S. administration’s vision for a two-state solution. There is no requirement of violence…”

The US just reversed its position on settlements

Since the executive order was made, the US State Department has reversed the Pompeo Doctrine—the Trump-era policy stating the US position that Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria are legal under international law. Following a recent announcement by Israel to build 3,000 new houses, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “It’s been longstanding US policy under Republican and Democratic administrations alike that new settlements are counterproductive to reaching an enduring peace… They’re also inconsistent with international law. Our administration maintains a firm opposition to settlement expansion.”

Batya and Baruch—who make the beautiful ceramics we sell—moved to Israel from the US, and are now living on the hills of Itamar with their family, working to rebuild and restore the land. Yet now, because of an anti-Israel administration actively working to undermine Israel, they are viewed as the “problem,” and could be targeted simply because they live in the Land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants but the Biden administration says should be a Palestinian state.

Jews in Judea and Samaria Respond

One of the Israelis targeted by Biden responded saying “the executive order is a result of requests to Biden by the anarchist, anti-Zionist left, which hates the Jewish people and made up a bunch of stories about Israel’s pioneers,” according to JNS. “Biden, who is unable to deal with the Houthis who murder American soldiers, doesn’t scare us. We will continue to settle the Land of Israel without fear.” After the US sanctions came into effect, Israeli banks also moved to suspend these individual’s accounts, for fear of running afoul of the United States.

"Biden thinks we will be scared, but these sanctions do the opposite. They reaffirm our commitment. We are making Israel safer by living here," - Yinon Levi

As more and more people around the world stand against Israel, it is up to us, people who believe in the promises of God, and see the beautiful beacon of light Israel is, to stand against those who seek the destruction of Israel. Now is a time for action. Call your Congressman and tell them to take a strong stand against this executive order and the pattern of this administration’s willingness to undermine Israel. Buy products from the businesses and families that the Biden administration is targeting and who could be impacted by this latest attack. Show your support for Israel in your community by raising awareness and sharing what is happening in Israel today.

Israel is becoming the dividing line among the nations, it’s time to stand with God’s people against the great darkness, and not be silent!

Read More: 

The Fraudulent Case Against ‘Violent Settlers’

The myth of escalating settler violence

Read the Executive Order