Former Israeli diplomats slam settler violence

Former Israeli ambassador to South Africa Arthur Lenk was one of more than 120 former diplomats and foreign service officials who protested on Sunday, 18 October, against the escalating violence by Jewish extremists in the West Bank. They warned that this is damaging Israel’s international standing and threatening its national security. 

Their condemnation follows a series of attacks, including on The Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine, who was seriously injured while she covered the Palestinian olive harvest near Abu Falah in the West Bank on Friday 16 October. 

The former ambassadors described another attack, involving foreign diplomats, as a “new low” and demanded responses from Israel’s government and security forces. 

“I think it’s important for people who are Israeli patriots, who have spent their lives standing up for Israel in some of the most complicated places in the world, including South Africa, to speak out,” Lenk told the SA Jewish Report. 

In a statement circulated on social media, he and the other former diplomats said, “The escalation of the ongoing harm to both Palestinians and non-Palestinians documenting the rampage is a criminal act targeting innocent individuals and communities and constitutes a moral stain that will not easily be erased. It is causing unacceptable damage to Israel’s foreign relations and international image, not to mention the loss of governance unfolding before our very eyes. 

“These abhorrent and indefensible outrages are not Israel’s way, are a profound betrayal of core Jewish values, are an unconscionable affront to basic human principles and dignity, and are fundamentally inconsistent with the behaviour of an enlightened country.” 

The violence by Jewish settlers is not new, but it appears to have reached a new level, prompting the former ambassadors and foreign ministry officials to make their voices heard. 

Lenk said just as diplomats spent their careers advocating for their country, they also had a responsibility to call attention to actions they believe are wrong and damaging to Israel, including those of its government. 

“The government has been ignoring [the violence], and there are even ministers in the government who support it. 

“It would be hypocritical if I only criticised the other side. If you only ever criticise one side, it becomes propaganda. If you want to speak the truth, you also must be willing to criticise your own side when something is wrong. There is so much to love, appreciate, and admire about my country, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t speak out when we believe it is doing something wrong,” Lenk said. 

“We are a group of former Israeli diplomats, mostly former ambassadors, who care not only about Israel’s image abroad, which has been tarnished by events in the territories, but also about the moral implications,” said a former Israeli diplomat in a video of their protest outside the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. 

“We were shocked by the attacks on foreign diplomats, and we are shocked by the silence of the people in the building behind us, the Israeli Foreign Ministry. We demand an end to Jewish terrorism in general, and specifically to attacks on foreign representatives, whether diplomats or journalists. We demand that the Israeli government intervene, not on behalf of the settlers, but on behalf of the people being attacked.” 

Lenk explained that perhaps because Israelis are heading to the polls in a week people want to make their positions clear. But even without elections, the government should be held accountable. 

“There are people and political parties in Israel going into the election saying that Arabs in the West Bank or Israel should be encouraged to leave, or that we can achieve ‘total victory’. But that is nonsense,” he said. 

“I’m not arguing that we don’t need to defend ourselves. I served in the Israeli army, as did my daughters, and after 7 October, Israel obviously needed to protect itself following the horrific events of that day. But defence and the military aren’t enough. You need diplomacy too. They are twin tools. 

“I very much believe that Israel needs both security and diplomacy. Being an Israeli ambassador and standing up to the South African government and saying that its claims of genocide are ridiculous is also part of protecting the State of Israel. Pilots, tank commanders, those protecting our borders, and diplomats all play a role. All of those things come together as part of Israel’s national security,” Lenk said. 

It’s not known how most Israelis feel about the settler violence, but Lenk believes it will be clearer when the results of the election come out. 

“I think anyone who looks at the videos of what has happened in recent weeks and understands what is really going on can see that violence is not our way and should not be our way. Israel is meant to be a country governed by the rule of law, and if people break the law or resort to violence, whether they are Jewish, Christian, or Muslim, the law must apply equally to everyone.” 

He hopes Israelis across the political and religious spectrums will recognise that respect for the law and shared Jewish values transcend political divisions, and unite in calling for change. 

“We want a government that takes responsibility, is accountable, and wants to be part of the international community. That is my hope for Israel – that we can honour all human life and all the people of Israel. Whether that leads to peace is a different question, but I think it’s important to have a government that sees itself as accountable to us and to our people,” he said.