“Settler violence” narrative built on false data, new report claims

Regavim Movement says UN reports on Judea and Samaria incidents rely on unverified Palestinian sources, fueling anti-Israel bias and undermining national security.

By David Brummer, World Israel News

The Regavim Movement is challenging the routinely circulated narrative of widespread settler violence in Judea and Samaria, alleging it is largely based on manipulated or false data, according to the organization’s new report released on Sunday.

Titled “False Flags and Real Agendas,” the 125-page report contends that the narrative has been strategically crafted to delegitimize Israel, weaken its global standing, and obstruct military success in Gaza.

The report offers what Regavim describes as the first comprehensive analysis of the United Nations’ database on violence in Judea and Samaria, a key source for international media and governments.

According to the group’s findings, more than 98% of incidents labeled as “settler violence” involved clashes between Palestinians and the IDF, with no Israeli civilians present.

In many other cases, Jewish civilians were reportedly defending themselves or were not involved in any violent activity.

Examples cited in the report as being misclassified include legal construction projects in Area C, peaceful Jewish visits to religious and historical sites, and counterterrorism operations in which Arab assailants were injured or killed.

The report claims these were listed as “violence” by settlers despite lacking any aggressive civilian component.

Regavim further asserts that most of the UN’s information is drawn exclusively from Palestinian sources without independent verification.

Many reports, it claims, are either complete fabrications or heavily distorted.

The cumulative effect, the organization argues, is the creation of a distorted picture portraying Jewish settlers and Israeli forces as aggressors and Israel as an apartheid state.

The report also includes previously unpublished Israel Police data on nationalist crimes, claiming a pattern of over-enforcement against Jews and under-enforcement against Arabs—even in severe or life-threatening cases.

Meir Deutsch, Regavim’s Director General, said the report aims to dismantle what he calls a campaign of delegitimization that equates Israeli citizens with Hamas terrorists.

“This narrative legitimizes violence against Israelis while laying the groundwork for the establishment of a Palestinian state that seeks Israel’s destruction,” Deutsch said.

Regavim’s recommendations include launching a government-led public diplomacy campaign to counter misinformation, releasing transparent law enforcement data, and expelling foreign activists who allegedly instigate conflict in sensitive areas.

“The time has come to tear away the mask of lies and to reveal the truth,” Deutsch said.

“After years of silence, Regavim is presenting the facts—facts that must be heard in Israel and around the world.”