Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways (Isaiah 59:7).
Foreword
Marts 7-8, 2025
Documentation by "Looking the Occupation in the Eye"
The robbery, premeditated and executed by dozens of violent and armed settlers from outposts, is part of an ongoing process of "ethnic cleansing" aimed at expelling Palestinian herding communities from Area C.
The settlers carried out their invasion in a coordinated operation involving the heads of outposts surrounding the villages of Ras Ein al-Auja and Marjat. Reports indicate that the settlers were accompanied by police and military personnel (at least one military jeep was observed). During the theft of livestock, police arrested a local Palestinian resident, the owner of one of the flocks, after he was beaten with clubs by the attackers. The official reason for his arrest: "theft of sheep" – sheep that a settler allegedly identified as his own and was immediately "returned" to him in the presence of police. Another Palestinian suffered a hand injury from shrapnel. Notably, the arrested shepherd was released two days later after posting a bail of only 1,000 IS, a sum that strongly suggests the theft charge was baseless.
The incident began at 9:00 PM, when Zohar Sabah – at an unusual hour – deliberately drove his flock toward the homes of local Palestinian residents, pressing his sheep against theirs. This tactic is a well-documented method used to fabricate claims that Palestinian shepherds have stolen livestock. Within minutes, about 15 vehicles arrived, bringing dozens of settlers, some armed with rifles, others carrying clubs.
In a similar case earlier this year, the same method was used. However, due to video documentation by an activist from "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" the court dismissed the theft allegation and released the Palestinian shepherd who had been arrested on false charges (see details below).
Shortly after midnight, a police officer identifying himself as Y. contacted "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" activists, instructing them to retrieve the stolen sheep. He directed them to the village of Marjat, near Zohar Sabah's outpost. Another police officer, S., who introduced herself as the deputy chief of the Benjamin Police, also claimed the sheep were available for retrieval and suggested they come near the outpost.
The activists followed the instructions and arrived at the meeting point. After a wait, Zohar Sabah and another settler (reportedly a minor) appeared with 22 sheep. The police officer on-site stated that they had acted "over and above board," asserting that Zohar Sabah had simply recovered his stolen sheep.
Incident Summary by "Looking the Occupation in the Eye"
A lamb died while fleeing during the robbery (documented by "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" activists on March 7, 2025)
Urgent appeal by the attorney of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel to The Commander of the Central Command, The Commander of Judea and Samaria Division, and the Military Advocate General of Judea and Samaria (March 8, 2025): "A serious incident of violence and theft – Ras Ein al-Auja – with military and police backing
In full coordination with "Looking the Occupation in the Eye," the attorney of the Association drafted a letter addressed to the prefectures in Judea and Samaria. The following is the statement:
"In the incidents in the residential area of the shepherd community of Ras Ein al-Auja, in the southern Jordan Valley, settlers acted violently, with the backing of elements pretending to be on behalf of the authorities. During which, large herds of hundreds of sheep were stolen by settlers from the area's outposts…
Description of the events: At around 9:00 PM, settlers arrived near the sheep pens of the two families, residents of the Ras Ein al-Auja communities. These pens hold large herds of over a thousand sheep, owned by five families from the community. After arriving at the scene, while standing near the pen, one of the settlers called the authorities and reported the theft of sheep. Immediately afterwards, dozens of settler vehicles arrived at the scene in a coordinated manner. They unloaded them, armed with firearms and clubs. The settlers were accompanied by soldiers, or by people in uniform, also armed (possibly escorted by the Regional Council, or by the police). One of the owners of the herd saw the settlers arriving and stood at the entrance to the community's sheep pens, hoping to prevent theft. A settler fired, apparently in the air, to deter the Palestinian resident who was standing in his way and hit him to get him out of the way and into the sheep pens. The settler broke into the pens, opened their gates, and smuggled out hundreds of sheep and goats.
Some of the sheep were loaded onto pickup trucks, but most were smuggled on foot to the west and south, to the nearby mountain (where the Kochav HaShahar outpost and nearby outposts are located). In an attempt to find the herd, about two hours later, dozens of dead lambs were discovered in the open. Activists who were present at the scene at the time of the incident heard gunfire, and documented the smuggling of the sheep on video... At the time of the incident, the police were immediately contacted. Following the filing of the complaint, the police contacted the activists, and it was reported that the settler was interested in returning the stolen sheep. Later, about 30 sheep, out of many hundreds [of residents of the village of Ras Ein al-Auja, not residents of the village of Marjat], were set alight at around 01:00 in the morning, on the road near the Marjat community and 'Zohar Farm.' The rest of the flocks, hundreds of sheep disappearing in the darkness, were not found and are still missing, despite searches conducted by residents and activists. The police did not provide any further assistance in finding the flock or locating the perpetrators. Repeated calls to the police hotline were answered with the following: 'You must come to the police station to file a complaint on Sunday'... The resident who stood in the way of the settlers, at the entrance to the pens, was arrested during the incident. Another Palestinian resident was apparently injured.
This is an unprecedented incident of nationalist criminality, and on a huge scale. This was organized and coordinated in advance by settlers, and received the assistance and support of the authorities, and unfortunately – complete helplessness on their part, and a violation of the army's duty as the sovereign in the occupied territory under international law, 'to maintain public order, protect the protected residents and their property, enforce the law with equality, and prevent the commission of war crimes and nationalist and racist persecution.' The biased, to say the least, action of law enforcement officials in this incident joins a general phenomenon of cooperation or turning a blind eye to settler crimes, aimed at pushing Palestinian herding communities in Areas B and C of the West Bank from their places of residence, and robbing them of their livelihoods and means of subsistence... Dozens of communities have been pushed and displaced in this manner since October 2023."
The serious incident will not be understood without a theoretical background and the tangible context in which it occurred.
Case Study
A clear example of the dispute between the right and the left, in all its aspects, is the case of the southern Jordan Valley – specifically the Zohar Farms, the village of Ras Ein al-Auja, and the village of Marjat.
The Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea region span approximately 1.6 million dunams, constituting nearly 30% of the West Bank. This area serves as the Palestinians' most significant land reserve.
This case study examines a sweeping process in which, over the past few years, many Palestinian communities have been expelled and dispossessed in the West Bank. This process follows a coordinated effort – violent settlers acting "from below," with the backing of various state authorities "from above."
According to data from "Kerem Navot" – a civil society organization founded in 2012 that monitors, researches, and publishes information on Israeli settlement expansion and land policies in the West Bank – 54 Palestinian communities and residential clusters have been expelled due to these activities. Of these, 47 have been expelled since October 2023. This information was published on the "Local Call" website – a platform committed to democracy, opposition to the occupation, peace, equality, social justice, transparency, and freedom of information (as of early November 2023).
Additionally, data published on Ynet site (based on the Central Command database) revealed a sharp rise in nationalist crimes committed by settlers and other Jewish Israeli citizens against Palestinians in the territories of Judea and Samaria. In the first two months of 2025, such incidents increased by approximately 30% compared to 2024, with 139 cases recorded since the beginning of the year. These figures also reflect the situation in the southern Jordan Valley.
Approach
The sources presented in this case study come from diverse political perspectives – both from the right and the left. However, the representation is not evenly balanced, as right-wing elements hold a dominant presence and influence in the field. The left's representation is more limited and mainly comprises volunteer citizen groups actively opposing the occupation.
The primary left-wing group with a continuous presence in the field is "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – a network of volunteers dedicated to preventing violations of Palestinian rights, advocating for ending the occupation, and promoting a just peace.
Right-wing sources include: Israel Hayom; The Router website; The Channel 7 website; The Srugim website; The Olam Katan website; The Jewish Voice website; The Channel 14 website; The Honenu organization; The "Hilltop Youth News" group; The Hilltop Youth Influencers; Elisha Yered (Network X); MK Limor Son Har-Melech, Otzma Yehudit (Network X).
Left-wing sources include: The Haaretz website; "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" (testimonies and in-depth interviews); The B'Tselem website; The Kerem Navot website.
After presenting these opposing perspectives, additional testimonies from more "neutral" sources – such as security officials (e.g., the IDF spokesperson) – are included. Furthermore, written and filmed evidence (stills and videos) is presented, as it is generally considered more objective (though some reservations may still apply).
Perspectives
"Information warfare is about territory – just not geographical territory. In information warfare, the human mind is the territory."
(Renée DiResta, "The Digital Maginot Line")
Israel is currently engaged in a "battle for consciousness" between the right and the left. This refers to the various strategies and tools used by groups with specific ideological frameworks to influence public perception – or to shield it from external influence. "Consciousness" in this context refers to the insights individuals or groups develop about reality and how it should be shaped. These perceptions are shaped by their values, beliefs, and interpretations of their environment.
I have chosen to confront these different – and oftentimes polarizing – perspectives directly. I believe that some versions of events (especially conspiratorial) are too significant to be ignored. My approach is based on the premise that if we fail to recognize the dominant perspectives in this debate, we cannot respond to them effectively. Additionally, it is crucial to compare these viewpoints and assess their "reasonableness" – that is, their "correspondence" with reality.
Often, right-wing and left-wing perspectives create two parallel worlds that operate independently, rarely intersecting.
To enable readers to form their own conclusions, I have highlighted controversial issues within each perspective (marked in blue). Furthermore, wherever necessary, I have included a separate column presenting points of disagreement between these perspectives. However, we have not received an official and orderly version of events from the opposing viewpoint. Should we receive such accounts, they will be published accordingly.
The issue becomes even more concerning when a certain public, exposed to conspiratorial narratives, ceases to question whether an assertion is true or false. Instead, what matters to them is whether the message aligns with their worldview. This phenomenon extends beyond mere "post-truth" – we are also living in an era of "post-shame", where deception, disinformation, propaganda and demagogy are accepted and even embraced if they reinforce a particular ideology.
Settlement Points at the Center of the Discussion
Zohar Farm
Zohar Farm is situated near Jericho-Ramallah Road, at the beginning of the ascent toward Ramallah (on Road 449).
The Zohar Farm – View from the Road(Telescopic Photography: Idan Yaron, 26.9.2024)
The Zohar Farms – Another View (Telescopic Photography: Idan Yaron, 26.9.2024)
Ras Ein al-Auja Village
Ras Ein al-Auja is in the center of the Jericho District, approximately 9.8 km north of Jericho. To the east lies the village of Fasil, while the lands of Malik and Deir Jarir villages border it to the north.
According to the Kerem Navot website, the community was established under the orders of the IDF, which sought to concentrate Bedouin and semi-nomadic shepherd communities in one location. As a result, the settlement consists of several distinct clusters, each inhabited by a specific group. The village is home to the largest shepherding community in the West Bank, comprising about 150 families.
Despite this, Ras Ein al-Auja falls within Area C, and like most Palestinian settlements in this region, its status has never been officially recognized. This lack of formal recognition makes it a frequent target for harassment by settlers eager to displace the Palestinian population – especially the Bedouins, who reside there year-round. The community currently consists of approximately 120 families, totaling around 1,000 people.
Due to the area's significance as a water source, the Nahal settlement was established east of Wadi al-Auja's mouth in 1970. A few years later, the settlement was formalized and became known as Yitav.
The name "Yitav" originates from "Nahal Yitav" (short for Nahal Yad Yitzhak Tabenkin), a transliteration of the Arabic Wadi al-Auja (lit., "winding"). The wadi extends approximately 24 km and flows into the Jordan River.
Ein Auja and the “Slide”
Ein Auja is the largest and most crucial water source for the communities north of Jericho. It is particularly known for its aqueduct, referred to as the "slide."
The "Slide" (Photography: Idan Yaron, 26.9.2024)
Ein Auja is one of the last remaining water sources in the West Bank still partially accessible to Palestinians – one of the few yet to be fully taken over by settlers. Historically, the water from the spring has been used to water the livestock of Ras Ein al-Auja and Marjat village residents, a division recognized by Israeli authorities. In 1979, the spring and its surrounding areas were declared a nature reserve.
Activists from "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" documented the situation in late August 2024: In Ras Ein al-Auja, residents are gradually resuming grazing activities – but only under the protective escort of human rights activists. These activists also accompany the herds to the stream at the end of pasture time, ensuring they can safely drink water.
The Auja Stream and its waters lie within private Palestinian land, with ownership well-documented. However, settlers – who are rapidly surrounding the community with new outposts (each typically consisting of a tent, a vehicle, and a sheep pen) – disregard these legal claims. Armed and backed by the Israeli army and police, settlers seize control of the water, preventing Palestinian shepherds from accessing the canal and the "slide" to water their livestock or fill water tankers.
What was once a popular recreation area for Palestinian families has now become a site of ongoing conflict, as settlers regularly expel Palestinians from the privately owned land.
Originally established as a kibbutz, the Yitav outpost was allocated extensive surrounding lands. Approximately 6,000 dunams of waqf land [an inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic Law] in the village area have been appropriated by settlers for various agricultural activities.
In the late 1980s, the kibbutz was abandoned by its residents. In the early 1990s, it was reestablished as a cooperative settlement, primarily populated by immigrants from the former Soviet Union. However, even in its new form, agricultural efforts in the area proved unsuccessful/
The lands of Ras Ein al-Auja are primarily privately owned. Some belong to members of the local Bedouin clans, while others are owned by prominent Palestinian families from Auja and East Jerusalem, including the Dajani, Husayni, and Nashashibi families.
In response to evolving conditions on the ground, the land accessible to the village has been significantly restricted.
Representative Map of the Lands of Ras Ein al-Auja, "Looking the Occupation in the Eye," February 2025
The Village of Marjat
The village of Marjat is in the southern Jordan Valley, across the road in the ravine below, where the Zohar Farm lies.
Early Events
The Village of Ras Ein al-Auja
According to testimonies published on the website B'Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, in late February 2020, dozens of settlers – some armed with firearms, knives, sticks, and clubs – arrived by car and on foot. They descended from the hills, attempted to disperse sheep grazing near the tents, and invaded a tent belonging to one of the families. At the time, the family's five children were inside the tent.
Nearby residents noticed the commotion and rushed to help. The settlers shouted that they were looking for the youth of the community, set their dogs on the children and residents gathered in the tent, surrounded them, and issued threats. One settler struck a resident in the head with the butt of his rifle. Soldiers who had been in the vicinity the entire time only intervened after nearly two hours, ordering the settlers to move away.
In early April 2024, three settlers – at least one of them armed – arrived at the village, walked among the residents' tents, set fire to two unoccupied residential shacks belonging to a family that was not present, and sprayed a Star of David on another shack before leaving the scene. Community residents called the police, who then collected testimonies from those affected.
The Village of Marjat
Late July 2023
On Saturday, July 29, at around 4:00 PM, Zohar Sabah arrived at the village accompanied by soldiers. He walked around community buildings and entered residential tents and sheep pens under the pretext of searching for stolen sheep. Female soldiers who arrived at the scene shouted at residents who attempted to keep the settler away from their homes and pens. Eventually, the settlers and soldiers left the area.
B'Tselem Documentation:
Late November 2023
The Right's Perspective | The Left's Perspective | Differences in Versions |
Zohar Sabah, the owner of a farm in the Jordan Valley, was drafted into the reserves when the war broke out, leaving his farm under the care of volunteer youth. Bedouins from the nearby illegal encampment of Marjat, noticing his absence, took advantage of the situation and stole dozens of sheep from his herd. When the theft was discovered, Zohar Sabah was called to the scene, along with other civilians, military personnel, and police forces. After hours of searching, the stolen goats were located inside one of the houses in the Bedouin encampment. Some of the animals had already had their ears brutally cut off to remove identification tags and conceal the crime. When security forces arrived at the house where the stolen goats were hidden, the thieves fled the scene. However, the police assured Zohar Sabah that the thieves – residents of the Bedouin encampment – had been identified and would be arrested sooner or later.
A new, strict, and aggressive policy was quickly implemented, showing immediate effects on the ground. The first victim of this policy, allegedly to appease American interests, was Zohar Sabah himself. This was a classic case of agricultural terrorism that fortunately ended with the return of most of the stolen livestock. However, Yehuda Fox, then Commander of the Central Command, reportedly categorized the incident as "Jewish terrorism."
The following morning, the IDF informed Zohar Sabah that he was being removed from reserve service. Shortly thereafter, the Division Commander informed him that both his personal weapon and his wife's firearm – used to defend their farm from attacks – had been confiscated by "order from above."
A similar incident took place at Zohar Farm, near the settlement of Mevo'ot Jericho. While Zohar Sabah was in reserve service, Arabs from the nearby village seized the opportunity to steal dozens of sheep. Zohar Sabah rushed back to his farm, and with the help of civilians, military forces, and police, managed to locate the stolen herd in a nearby village after hours of searching. The operation was hindered by dozens of local Arabs who attempted to disrupt the search. Despite police confirmation that the identity of the thieves was known and that they would be arrested, left-wing organizations and villagers launched a propaganda campaign, falsely claiming that "armed settlers had invaded the village." This narrative gained traction, resulting in swift action from IDF officials. Sabah was soon informed that Major General Yehuda Fox had ordered the confiscation of his and his wife's weapons. The extreme left-wing organization "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" welcomed this move, calling it "good news." This organization, which is part of the anarchist left, has long opposed farms in the region and is known for staging provocations with the help of local Arabs.
These groups frequently accuse settlers of roaming near their encampments and "terrorizing" residents. However, what they fail to report is their involvement in provocations designed to facilitate theft – cases where so-called "violent settlers" were merely reclaiming stolen property.
The Honenu organization described an event at the entrances to Jericho as an "attempted lynching" of a 17-year-old Jewish shepherd.
Similarly, activist Elisha Yered reported another act of agricultural terrorism on the Sabbath. That morning, Zohar Sabah was grazing his sheep when dozens of Bedouins approached him, threatening and surrounding him. Upon returning to his farm, he discovered that sheep were missing. A search was launched with military and police assistance, and the stolen sheep were found in the illegal encampment of Auja al-Fuka. One thief was arrested. During the search, dozens of Bedouins hurled stones at security forces, prompting them to fire warning shots into the air. Farm residents noted that left-wing activists armed with cameras were present at the scene from the very beginning, attempting to obstruct the forces – raising suspicions that this was a coordinated action. These activists seemed to be working alongside the perpetrators, deliberately capturing biased images to spread misinformation.
After the theft, Major General Fox made a controversial decision, reportedly against the advice of the Division commander: he confiscated Sabah's weapons and removed him from reserve duty. What prompted this decision? According to reports, pressure came from extreme left-wing organizations, which conveyed direct demands to Fox and American officials – including General Mike Fenzel, the U.S. security coordinator in Israel. Days after Sabah's weapons were confiscated, anarchist Guy Hirschfeld – then an activist for "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" –boasted on Facebook: "We are beginning to feel the American pressure." He mockingly referred to Sabah as "the terrorist from Marjat," urging people to ask him where his weapons were. He further declared: "We will continue to inform our friends around the world about the crimes of the Jews in occupied Palestine until they understand that we need to step on the gas and pressure this bloody government." Reports suggest that extreme left-wing organizations established a direct communication channel with General Fenzel and other American officials at the beginning of the war. This channel has allegedly become so effective that, in many cases, only ten minutes separate the moment left-wing activists arrive at an incident and their complaints result in direct orders from General Fox to IDF forces on the ground. | Haaretz Newspaper, Hagar Shezaf (December 1, 2023):A settler serving in the reserves shot at Palestinians, claiming they stole his sheep. Zohar Sabah, along with other settlers, arrived in a nearby Palestinian village from Marjat, fired his military-issued weapon (which he had received as part of his service in the regional defense), and entered local houses. The incident was reported to the police, leading to his suspension from combat duty and the confiscation of his weapon. A resident of Marjat stated that Zohar Sabah entered the village with approximately 20 other settlers. According to her, the group attacked the villagers, confiscated their cell phones, and attempted to steal sheep from them while firing their weapons. She added, "One of them hit my father and sister with his rifle. We thought he was going to shoot us." The settlers allegedly took about 20 sheep from the village, claiming the animals had originally belonged to them. | Clarification by "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" activist, Daniel De Malach: "The police announced that 'the identity of the thieves is known,' but as far as is known, no one has been arrested, and there is no evidence of theft. It is important to clarify that all claims of theft by the villagers turned out to be a hoax or, at the very least, were never confirmed." "According to the version stating that 'the herd was located together with other civilians and army and police forces,' police officers participated in the raid on the village. However, this participation does not appear in the residents' version or the IDF's version – and is even explicitly denied." "The statement by the Honenu organization that 'the incident was a lynching of a Jewish shepherd' contradicts the claim that the theft occurred while Zohar Sabah was in reserve service." Similarly, Elisha Yered's account – that "Zohar Sabah, the owner of a farm in the Jordan Valley, was grazing his sheep on the morning of the Sabbath when he encountered dozens of Bedouins who approached him, began to threaten him, and surrounded him" – contradicts the claim that Zohar Sabah was not at the outpost at the time of the alleged theft and had returned from reserve duty only to address the situation. |
Image from a video documenting a settler threatening Palestinians with his personal weapon
Security source: "It should be understood that anyone who wears a uniform and has received a weapon from the army represents the State of Israel and the IDF. The weapon is intended to protect the community or farm from terrorists, not to resolve criminal disputes. Unfortunately, as in previous incidents, here too, the security forces were not called upon to handle the situation, and individuals took the law into their own hands."
B'Tselem – Documentation
"Armed settlers and soldiers enter the Palestinian village of Marjat, with one of them loading a weapon and striking residents with it." (Photography: Residents of the community)The settler threatens with a weapon and shouts: "Where are my goats?"
Early January 2024
Report on page X of Haaretz newspaper:
Zohar Sabah was recorded setting up an unauthorized checkpoint while armed with a weapon he received from the IDF.
Late February 2024
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
Settlers take over a house in the village of Marjat, expelling the family with threats of weapons and violence. One of the settlers pointed a weapon at an activist who tried to document the incident.
Early May 2024
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
For two weeks, Zohar Sabah's herd has repeatedly entered the community in the village of Marjat. Zohar Sabah, or one of his associates, arrives from the illegal outpost he established – either by vehicle or with the herd alone. The herd invades the areas of the Marjat shepherd community. Today was no exception. Its presence near residents' homes or their herds is alarming and threatening, given past incidents of violence.
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
Young men from an illegal outpost (apparently from Zohar Sabah's local outpost) enter the shepherd community in the village of Marjat.
Late May 2024
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
Three masked settlers arrived in a vehicle, wearing turbans, and entered the shepherd community in the village of Marjat. They proceeded to the pen, loaded, and stole 20 goats.Watch here
June 22, 2024
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
A herd belonging to settler Zohar Sabah arrived at the grazing area of Ras Ein al-Auja on the Holy Sabbath and approached the Palestinian herds, intimidating them. Zohar Sabah called the police and the army, falsely claiming he had been attacked and that his goats had been stolen. Security forces then invaded the village, declared it a closed military zone, arrested Palestinians, and detained human rights activists documenting the events.
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – An Activist's Documentation of the Event in Ras Ein al-Auja
"At approximately 07:00 AM, settler Zohar Sabah arrived from his outpost with a herd, approaching the Palestinian herds, which immediately began to flee. One of the shepherds' donkeys was left behind near Zohar Sabah's herd, and they asked us to retrieve it. Zohar Sabah then called the police or the army, falsely claiming that he had been attacked, beaten with sticks, had stones thrown at him, and that his goats were stolen. The army arrived, accompanied by Gabriel Kalisch [a Military Security Coordinator from Mevo'ot Yericho, a graduate of the Ma'ale Ephraim Hesder Yeshiva, who received the "Outstanding Brigade Military Security Coordinators Award" in September 2023 for his security contributions]. A soldier spoke with Zohar Sabah but refused to listen to me. The Palestinian herds retreated to the village, while Zohar Sabah's herd continued advancing into it. Meanwhile, a large group of settlers, soldiers, and police officers arrived from the other side of the village. The forces conferred with Zohar Sabah, Omer Atidia [owner of "Einot Kedem – A Farm in the Desert"], Gabriel Kalisch, and other settlers. We were not allowed to approach them. They took our IDs and informed us that we had to go to the Benjamin Police station to provide testimony. Later, they arrested three Palestinians unrelated to the incident, followed by another. When we reached the station, they told us we were being detained for involvement in an 'attack incident.' They confiscated our phones and prohibited us from speaking to each other. After about an hour, they informed us that we were no longer detained but had to remain to give testimony. On the way to the station, a vehicle blocked our path, and a masked settler, speaking Arabic and pretending to be Palestinian, emerged. In my view, the entire incident was premeditated. The swift arrival of numerous settlers, including those not commonly seen in the area like Omer Atidia, indicates a coordinated plan. The army and police are fully complicit. They disregard us—and certainly the Palestinians."
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation by an Activist
"Following the events of June 22, 2024, in Ras Ein al-Auja, after successfully stealing sheep under the protection of security personnel and integrating them into his herd of goats, Zohar Sabah returned today with other settlers and security forces to continue looting sheep. Around 3:30 PM, as on the previous day, settlers arrived in Ras Ein al-Auja under the protection of a soldier and an officer. They entered multiple sheepfolds, searching for what they called 'stolen sheep.' The officer ordered the Palestinians to stay away and not interfere. Three settlers entered the pens while soldiers prevented anyone from approaching. After about half an hour of fruitless searching, they returned to the pen where they had confiscated or stolen sheep the night before. At this point, tensions rose, and many Palestinians – including women and children – gathered. Fearful, the flocks fled the enclosure when Palestinians opened the gate. The father of the family managed to calm them. The settlers then found a single sheep with a yellow tag on its ear, leading to a lengthy dispute over ownership. More people gathered, including an armed police officer. Two settler vehicles reached the demarcation gate, where the sheep were loaded. A settler threw a stone at the gathered Palestinians, who responded in kind. The officer fired multiple shots into the air, and additional soldiers arrived, shooting tear gas uncontrollably. Children inside an ambulance were injured as a result. It is crucial to emphasize that no sheep were stolen from settler Zohar Sabah. His herd consists of goats, but on both days, sheep were taken – stolen – from the Palestinians with the full cooperation of the army."
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation (Doron Meinert)
The events of the last two days in the Ras Ein al-Auja area serve as a microcosm of the broader collapse we are experiencing – a complete breakdown of the rule of law. This time, I was personally involved in most of the incident, and this is my first-person testimony, supported by videos and additional accounts from those who were with me.
The event began on Saturday at 07:00. My partners and I had been there since the night before. We arrived at the grazing area south of the village and immediately noticed four Palestinian herds moving quickly back toward the village. Crossing the stream, we saw the goat herd belonging to settler Zohar Sabah. Unlike previous times when his boys tended the herd, this time, Zohar Sabah was personally grazing them.
The Palestinians approached us, asking for our help in retrieving a donkey left near Zohar Sabah's herd. We accompanied them, retrieved the donkey, and returned to our respective locations. As the Palestinian herds continued moving swiftly back toward the village, Zohar Sabah called the police or army, falsely claiming he had been beaten with a stick, had stones thrown at him, and that his goats had been stolen. This statement marked the beginning of the subsequent events, and it was an unequivocal lie. We were present, witnessed everything, and documented it. No one touched him, and there was no chance of his goats being stolen or the herds mixing. The minimum distance between the herds was at least 500 meters throughout the entire incident. Zohar Sabah appeared healthy, unharmed, and calm, acting according to a coordinated plan with other settlers in the area, likely in coordination with elements within the army and police.
At this stage, it became evident that this was a large, premeditated event aimed at robbing sheep and terrorizing the village – an operation designed, among other things, to discourage local residents from cooperating with us, the volunteers. Within minutes of Zohar Sabah's call, a military vehicle arrived, led by a civilian vehicle driven by Gabriel Kalish. The rapid response indicated prior coordination, as forces in the area typically take at least half an hour to arrive. I was present at dozens of similar events, and this timing was highly unusual.
Zohar Sabah approached a soldier, repeating his false story. I attempted to intervene, stating that everything he claimed was a lie and that we had videos to prove it. She dismissed my words, insisting that Zohar Sabah could not be lying, and shut the window. This pattern was repeated by every soldier, officer, and police officer I tried to communicate with over the next two hours. Meanwhile, Gabriel Kalish continued into the village, and we followed him. By the time we reached the village's northern entrance, approximately ten settler vehicles and an additional military force were already present. A female officer with the rank of captain, likely the sector commander, soon arrived with two police cars carrying Inspector G.H. and another officer named O. Both officers, by sheer "coincidence," were on duty that Saturday and in the vicinity, allowing them to arrive within fifteen minutes.
Attempts to communicate with the officer were met with the same disregard as before. When I tried to speak with the police, they confiscated my ID and those of my companions, treated us with verbal hostility, and prevented us from providing testimony, despite our insistence that the accusations were a fabrication. Instead, they ordered us to stay away from the forces and the village entrance.
Gabriel Kalish, Zohar Sabah, and numerous others arrived, with the security forces treating them as authoritative figures, unquestioningly accepting their statements. The settlers were regarded as the true rulers of the land.
At this point, the forces escalated their actions, looting and terrorizing the village. They arrested individuals who had no connection to the incident and systematically entered one pen after another, searching for the so-called stolen sheep. When I attempted to document their actions, I was informed that I was being detained. Another officer initially intended to interrogate me on the spot, but Police Officer G.A. intervened, stating that we were being detained on suspicion of involvement in an assault, for testimony, or for investigation – changing the justification each time. The true intent was clear: to remove us from the scene.
At the Benjamin Police station, we were told that we were detained for assault. An hour later, our status was changed to that of witnesses. We provided full testimony to the interrogator, along with videos and photos. However, the truth was irrelevant. Arbitrary arrests and the looting of sheep continued, with no evidence to support the settlers' claims other than Zohar Sabah's words. Unsurprisingly, he was not required to present any proof of his alleged losses or injuries.
I also shared my account with a journalist who wrote an article, but his editor refused to publish it. Instead, right-wing newspapers and WhatsApp groups spread Zohar Sabah's false version of events. In one publication, I was personally accused of attacking Zohar Sabah, along with my companions. Meanwhile, additional activists arrived in the area to document events, attempting – without success – to engage with officers in the field and senior officials. The forces actively assisted the settlers in stealing goats and sheep, even though Zohar Sabah's herd contained only goats. The stolen animals were transferred to his farm. In total, three to six Palestinians were arrested, and 12 goats and sheep were stolen.
On Sunday afternoon, Zohar Sabah returned with three settlers and a small contingent of an officer and three soldiers, claiming to be searching for a "stolen sheep." They went from house to house. This time, no police accompanied them. An IDF officer seemed to believe her role was to aid settlers in their village incursions. At one point, stone-throwing ensued between the two sides, prompting the soldiers to fire indiscriminately into the air. After leaving for an hour, they returned and launched dozens of tear gas canisters at the village – an act entirely unrelated to any operational need.
This entire incident was clearly premeditated by settlers as part of their broader strategy to expel communities from the area, as they have done with dozens of others. In Ras Ein al-Auja, the presence of Israeli volunteers interferes with their agenda, making Palestinians' cooperation with us a target. The settlers explicitly told us: "If you hadn't been here, this wouldn't have happened." They were right – without our presence, the villagers would have been forced to leave.
Early August 2024
A photo from the village of Marjat captures the road leading to the Taiba junction. Settlers from "Zohar Farm" are seen terrorizing and beating a Palestinian waiting on the roadside.
Early September 2024
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
In the village of Marjat, screams echoed from one of the houses in the community. According to testimony, three settlers arrived and stood near a house before entering a back room. From there, they moved on to a neighboring house and attempted to steal a herd. The settlers used pepper spray, injuring a woman and a child. Alerted by the commotion, community members rushed out, preventing the theft. The three settlers fled as soon as human rights activists arrived.
Shortly after, reports emerged from the nearby community of Ras Ein al-Auja, where settlers had damaged and cut water pipes.
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
Armed settlers invaded the village of Marjat, moving between houses and instilling fear. A settler could have fallen or injured himself. Despite activists calling for police intervention to remove the settlers, their pleas were met with indifference. When the army finally arrived, three Palestinians were arrested – while the settlers remained untouched.
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
To facilitate settler harassment in the village of Marjat without interference, the army – assisted by Gabriel Kalish (likely under his orders) – declared a closed military zone in the area where a settler and his herd were present. After the activists were forcibly removed, a settler drove into the community in a car.
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
This morning, masked soldiers detained human rights activists in Marjat, preventing them from documenting attacks and standing between Palestinian victims and violent settlers.
Last night, dozens of goats and several dogs were poisoned to death in Marjat. Activists on site collected samples for testing. Before the poisoning, settlers had been spotted in the area.
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
Autopsy results of the poisoned goats in Marjat confirmed that they died from ingesting a toxic fertilizer or pesticide. While no specific contaminated food was found in their stomachs, evidence suggests the poison may have been in their water. Given the absence of cultivated fields in the area, the toxin was likely introduced into their pen intentionally.
Additionally, the fact that goats injected with atropine survived further supports the poisoning claim.
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
Between Thursday night and Friday, dozens of goats and several dogs were poisoned in Marjat. By Sunday morning, the routine continued: a settler from the nearby outpost of Zohar Sabah invaded private Palestinian land with his herd. When called, the army did not intervene but instead went directly to the outpost of Zohar Sabah.
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
Two activists from "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" and a French Documentation filmmaker were arrested in Marjat.
Meanwhile, a settler shepherd entered the village once again, leading his herd onto private Palestinian land. Activists recorded the intrusion and reported it to the army. However, the military responded by heading directly to the outpost of Zohar Sabah, from where the settler had come.
Peak Event: September 16, 2024
The Right's Perspective | The Left's Perspective | Differences in Versions |
Arabs lynched a shepherd: "We were a step away from another Benjamin Achimeir" [a 14-year-old who was declared missing after he left a farm near the Israeli outpost of Malachei HaShalom and found murdered on 12 April 2024]. The rioters, who noticed the farm owner approaching, fled the area, leaving the shepherd bleeding. Rescue forces arrived at the scene, provided medical treatment on the spot, and evacuated him to the hospital. Later, police arrested two suspects in connection with the attack. A Jewish shepherd who had left the "Zohar farm" was attacked by Palestinians in the Mevo'ot Yericho area. According to testimonies, the attackers came from the nearby Arab outpost of Marjat. The incident escalated into another confrontation between Israeli citizens and Palestinians, resulting in injuries on both sides. Shortly thereafter, several Israeli citizens arrived at the location where the suspects had fled and hidden. A clash ensued, during which several Palestinians were injured. Rescue forces provided medical treatment to the wounded. The shepherd was taken to the hospital with head injuries, though no details were given about the condition of the injured Palestinians. Later that day, police arrested two suspects involved in the attack on the shepherd. The violence in the Mevo'ot Yericho area began when Arab rioters attacked a Jewish shepherd grazing his flock within the jurisdiction of the Mevo'ot Yericho settlement in the Jordan Valley. The rioters surrounded him, stole his cellphone, and beat him with clubs. During the attack, the shepherd managed to activate an emergency distress button, specially provided for shepherds. The alert summoned the farm owner and fellow shepherds, who arrived alongside security forces and began searching for the rioters who had fled to a nearby Bedouin encampment. The attackers, upon noticing the farm owner, fled the area, leaving the shepherd wounded. Rescue forces provided him with medical care at the scene before evacuating him to the hospital. Police later arrested two suspects in connection with the attack. Four Palestinians attacked the Jewish shepherd, leaving him in moderate condition. Two of the attackers were arrested. At 09:42, the Valley Center received an SOS message from the farm’s satellite device, prompting an immediate alert to the farm owner and security forces. An ambulance and security personnel were dispatched to the scene.
Zohar Sabah: "The shepherd called me, but I could only hear screams and roars. I immediately realized something terrible was happening. A moment later, I received an alert from the distress button, which simultaneously notified the security center."
Ayelet Lash: "Jews were attacked today by Arab-Nazi subhumans near the entrances to Jericho. Among the attackers were a school principal and another teacher. How is it that everything is silent?! Where are all the leftists who were outraged over the Jith events?! Where are the so-called ‘waiting priests’ who wanted to condemn and visit Arab women with bouquets of flowers?! Will they also visit the Jews injured in this lynching by Arab Nazis?!" | See below. | "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" claim: "We have not seen any medical evidence of the boy's injury, despite the published photo showing a blow to the back of his head, the credibility of which remains unclear."
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" activist Daniel De Malach: "The claim that 'rescue forces who arrived at the scene provided [the shepherd] with medical treatment on the ground and evacuated him to the hospital' is incorrect. The attacked person, whose photo was blurred in right-wing sources, was not taken to the hospital but instead participated in the attack on the village, leading to an indictment against him.
Son Har-Malk's statement also alleges that security forces are 'harassing' the shepherd who was attacked. If the shepherd was 'rushed to the hospital,' how is it possible that security forces are 'harassing' him? The reason they arrested him is that he participated in the violent attack."
"The photo of the 'injured young man' was published in a way that prevents identification (among other reasons, because he is documented participating in the violent attack on the school)."
"The claim that 'Jews were attacked' is not based on verifiable evidence."
"The statement that 'the incident escalated into another clash between Israeli and Palestinian civilians, during which several people involved on both sides were injured' does not align with reality. Not one of them was injured. The videos show them attacking with batons – both the activists of the Occupy Prevention Movement and the Palestinians – while the activists did not retaliate."
"The statement that 'Later, police forces arrested two of the suspects in the attack,' referring to the teacher and the school principal—whose office the rioters entered while masked and beat him – is misleading. It fails to mention that the suspects were released after two days without any charges, which indicates that the settlers' version of events is unfounded" [see below]. |
Right-Wing Press – Documentation
"The Young Man Who Was Injured"
Published in the daily press as "Photo without Source
Peak Event: September 16, 2024 – The School in the Village of Marjat
School – Sign (Photography: Idan Yaron, 26.9.2024)
School – General View (Photography: Idan Yaron, 26.9.2024)
School – Principal's Room (Photography: Idan Yaron, 26.9.2024)
School – Principal's Broken Door (Photography: Idan Yaron, 26.9.2024)
The Right's Perspective | The Left's Perspective |
There is no organized, authoritative version. | Boys attacked two Palestinians at a school in the village of Marjat, in front of the students. Residents reported the incident to left-wing activists, who then went to the scene but were also attacked by settlers wielding clubs. According to the activists, the settlers claimed they were searching for a village resident who had allegedly beaten their friend.
An international organization (WBP) recalled the events at the Primary School in Marjat. In its statement: On Monday, at approximately 09:47, it was reported that three female teachers and several students were injured, along with a British Palestinian activist. The school, which employs 30 male and female teachers and serves around 100 students, is supported by the organization. WBP called for measures to protect students in and around the school from settler attacks; the removal of all restrictions hindering the free movement of people and goods in the West Bank; assurance that schools are never targeted for military or hostile activity; and that teachers and students are not affected by such activities on their way to school. Additionally, the organization urged that all attacks on schools be investigated and documented. |
Event Schedule – The Perspective of "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" Activists
09:27 AM: "I hope the activists return to meet the settler now. He is near the house next to the school. After he made sure that you had left the village, he approached the residents' homes."
09:32 AM: "We were in Auja to pick up someone and go there now."
09:40 AM: "Settlers attacked a man now in Marjat, near the school."
09:42 AM: Message to Ynet reporter Elisha Ben Kimon about a shepherd who was beaten.
09:44 AM: "Please hurry."
09:46 AM: "They have arrived."
09:49 AM: Meir Bleich begins filming a video, 1:52 minutes long.
10:07 AM: "The settlers have left the village of Marjat now."
11:01 AM: "I am with the young girl who was attacked. Her name is T. She is 25 years old. She says she was grazing her sheep near the school when one settler came and attempted to beat her with a club. She caught the club with her hand, but then three or four others joined in, beating her legs, hands, and entire body. She is limping, and her hand is limp. I don't think it's a fracture, but I am unsure. They pinned her to the floor, one of them pressed his boot against her cheek, which was on the ground so that she couldn't move, while the rest beat her with clubs."
"B'Tselem" – Documentation
On Monday morning, September 16, 2024, settlers from the "Zohar Farm" outpost arrived at a house in the south of the Marjat community, in the Jericho district, in what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to create a provocation that would provide a pretext for attacking the community's residents. According to the settlers, a resident of the community attacked one of them and injured him.
At around 9:30 AM, two women fled the house towards the school, with settlers armed with sticks chasing them. The settlers entered the school grounds, shouted at activists present there, attacked them with sticks, and wounded one activist in the arm. Hearing the commotion, several students left their classrooms. One settler hit a 13-year-old student, who fled outside the school grounds. At this point, the teachers locked the classroom doors, but the settlers banged on them and the windows, attempting to break in.
Meanwhile, more settlers arrived at the school, some masked and some armed with sticks. The settlers managed to break down the door to the principal's office, where two female teachers and a first-grade student were present. The principal picked up a chair to defend himself, but the settlers attacked him, knocking him to the ground and hitting him with sticks.
They then dragged him with his feet into the yard. They also attacked the two female teachers, overturned the contents of the room, and destroyed equipment, while the student hid under the table, crying. The settlers then left the office and dragged the principal to their car. A few minutes later, soldiers and police arrived at the school, accompanied by a settler who was bleeding from his head.
The forces removed the attacking settlers from the scene and then searched the school grounds for a suspect in the attack on the settler earlier that morning. They subsequently removed the school principal from the settlers' car, handcuffed him, and placed him in a military jeep, which drove through the community. Along the way, they encountered a resident who complained about the settlers' incursion, and he was arrested as well. Both the school principal and the resident were made to sit by the roadside before being placed in the jeep and taken away.
About ten minutes after the jeep left, an ambulance arrived in the community and evacuated the wounded to Jericho hospital.
Later that day, soldiers arrived at the school and confiscated its security cameras. Following the incident, the police arrested five settlers, two of whom were minors. The school principal was interrogated, hospitalized at Hadassah Hospital under guard, and released on September 19, 2024, along with the other detainee from the community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ4EX1HZYVk(Copy of a video filmed by "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" activist, Meir Bleich)
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation (Meir Bleich)
In the morning, we walked alongside the herd, led by a settler who had left the Zohar Sabah outpost. The herd first moved along the houses of Marjat, which border Road 449. Then it turned towards the settlement buildings and the school, and there we blocked it from the residents' houses.
A few minutes later, when the herd and its shepherd moved away and turned towards the entrances to Jericho, we drove to Auja, picked up a British student, and headed for Ras Ein al-Auja. Upon arrival, we were called to the village of Marjat. There, we saw several settlers running with clubs towards the school. We also ran there, and in the inner compound, we saw girls running away screaming while settlers ran amok, armed with clubs.
They attacked us. Others grabbed a Palestinian, laid him down, and beat him. Army forces arrived at the scene, and the rampage subsided.
IDF Spokesperson Statement:
A report was received of an Israeli citizen who was attacked by several Palestinians in the Mevo'ot Yericho area, resulting in a head injury. Shortly thereafter, several Israeli citizens arrived at the location where the suspects had fled and hidden. A scuffle ensued, during which several Palestinians were injured.
Upon receiving the report, IDF forces and police rushed to the scene, dealt with the scuffle, and arrested several Palestinians on suspicion of attacking settlers.
Arrests
September 18, 2024
It was reported that "the detention of three additional suspects in the attack on the Palestinians in the village has been extended. Among those arrested is Zohar Sabah. He had previously entered the village and shot a Palestinian with his military weapon, which was later confiscated. The other two suspects are minors. The three are suspected of a racially motivated attack and conspiracy to commit a crime. Yesterday, the detention of another suspect in the attack, which was carried out two days ago, was extended."
Mid-September 2024
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
Two little girls, already familiar with the local settler's routine, run away from him into the school. Gabriel Kalisch arrives at the school area in the village of Marjat on an unspecified visit. Just two days earlier, violent settlers broke into this same school and beat students, teachers, and activists. Gabriel Kalisch has no business being there. He is an uninvited and unwelcome person – a foreign invader whose only desire is to sow fear and terror, doing so with lip service and a fake smile.
"Looking the Occupation in the Eye" – Documentation
Straight from the Zohar Sabah outpost, the settler emerges into the village of Marjat. This morning, he attacked one of the activists with a baton.
September 19, 2024
Two Palestinians were suspected following the incident and referred to the Judea Military Court for their detention, despite indications that "both were being attacked, and neither was among the attackers."
The Palestinian Detainees (Flash News Live, 16.9.2024)
The photos appear in the right-wing press with the note "Free Credit"
The Jerusalem District Attorney's Office has filed indictments against five settlers, two of whom are minors, for involvement in an attack on Palestinians and left-wing activists at a school in the village of Marjat. The indictments, which were filed with the Jerusalem District Court, charge the defendants with aggravated sabotage, kidnapping, trespassing, and threats—each according to their role. The three adults accused are Zohar Sabah, owner of a nearby outpost of Havva, as well as Malkiel Shmulevich and Nes Netanel Gorelik. The prosecution is seeking to detain all of them until the end of the legal proceedings against them.
According to the indictment, the five entered the school with clubs and an axe, beating and kicking several people inside, including the school principal, causing some to suffer fractures. At the time, the Palestinian principal, two teachers, and a primary school-age student were in the school. When they realized that the settlers had entered, the principal held the door tightly to prevent entry, while the minor hid under the principal's desk.
The indictment states that the defendants broke the hand of one of the activists and fractured the principal's ribs. Defendant Malkiel Shmulevich struck the principal while holding an axe and slammed his head against the door. Later, according to the indictment, they dragged the principal out of the school grounds, placed him in their car, and drove a short distance before handing him over to security forces. The group allegedly arrived at the scene after one of the minor defendants sustained a head injury from a thrown stone near the village school. Although the principal had no connection to the violence, he was arrested and brought to the Ofer Military Court three days later for a hearing, after which he was released.
The settlers' lawyer argued during one of the detention extension hearings that the boy who testified to being attacked had called for help using an emergency phone distributed to settlers after the murder of Benjamin Achimeir in April. The lawyer claimed that following the call, the settlers, including Zohar Sabah, arrived at the school. At a hearing held the previous evening, a police representative stated that Shmulevich had been identified as the person who attacked an individual inside the principal's office and was seen on video wielding an axe. This was also mentioned in the indictment. Shmulevich exercised his right to remain silent when questioned about it.
In late September 2024, the website Looking at "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" reported that on September 25, a group of approximately 11 settlers arrived in the village of Marjat, including Elhanan Groner, accompanied by individuals who appeared to hold positions of influence. The host was none other than Gabriel Kalisch, a Military Security Coordinator from Mevo'ot Yericho.
Military Security Coordinator from Mevo'ot Yericho, Gabriel Kalisch ("Looking the Occupation in the Eye," 8.10.2024)
Military Security Coordinator from Mevo'ot Yericho, Gabriel Kalisch, and an assistant ("Looking the Occupation in the Eye," 8.10.2024)
Zohar Sabah in the Field
(Documentation of "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" activists, December 17, 2024)
Early January 2025
Zohar Sabah kicks a "Looking the Occupation in the Eye" activist
Early February 2025
B'Tselem – Documentation
A mosque and a tractor were set on fire in the village of Marjat in the central West Bank. In the documentation released by the organization B'Tselem, two individuals are seen setting fire to the building and the tractor. One of them is heard saying to the other in Hebrew: "Light it up, light it up." The police stated that they have opened an investigation and are examining a suspected crime on a nationalistic basis.
Afterword
In mid-March 2025, an activist from "Bimkom – Planners for Planning Rights" stated (on the "Local Call" website) that: "Just a few weeks ago, the Commissioner of Government Property and Abandoned Lands in Judea and Samaria announced his intention to allocate 2,400 dunams of grazing land in the Ras Ein al-Auja area – the same place where the pogrom [described at the beginning of this article] took place... Officially allocating the area for the settlers' grazing needs is another step up in the cooperation that already exists between the state and the settlers in expelling Palestinian communities... This is an ongoing campaign to empty Area C of its Palestinian residents in order to enable the annexation of the West Bank while confining the Palestinians – without rights – to as small an area as possible.