Price tag attack policy

Olive tree in the village of Burin which was allegedly vandalized by settlers from Yitzhar Price tag policy ( Hebrew : מדיניות תג מחיר), also known as "Mutual Responsibility" ( Arvut Hadadit ), also referred to as a "tactic", "strategy", "doctrine", "campaign", or "principle", is the name originally given to "acts of random violence aimed at the Palestinian population, Christians, Arab-Israelis, and Israeli security forces " by fundamentalist Israeli settler youths who "exact a price from local Palestinians or from the Israeli security forces for any action taken against their settlement enterprise", according to the New York Times . Price tag attacks now extend to acts of vandalism, and especially to acts of anti-Arab vandalism, suspected to be the work of lone individuals, against the Israeli army and security services, as well as against Christian and Muslim places of worship, and also against left-wing institutions that criticize settlers. In May 2014, Shin Bet said the price-tag hate crimes were the handiwork of about 100 individuals mainly hailing from the Yitzhar settlement and hilltop outposts, and were inspired by the ideas of rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg . The price-tag campaign includes attacks on Palestinian villages and property by Israeli settlers as retaliation for attacks on Israeli targets and for government demolition of structures at West Bank settlements and the removal of outposts which are variously described as being either unauthorised or illegal, and in recent years (2012-2013), dozens of such attacks have targeted Christian sites and the Christian community in Jerusalem . They generally follow actions by Israeli authorities that are perceived as harming the settlement enterprise, or follow Palestinian violence against settlers. B'Tselem has documented many acts of this kind, which have included violent attacks carried out against random Palestinian civilians, burning of mosques and fields, stone throwing, uprooting trees, making incursions into Palestinian villages and land. These actions come as retaliation for Palestinian acts of violence against settlers, or decisions by the Israeli government to curb Jewish construction in the West Bank, where 80% of the attacks take place, while some 10-15% take place in the area of Jerusalem. Such vandalism also embraces damaging the property, or injuring members of the Israeli police and the Israeli Defense Forces , and defacing the homes of left-wing activists. Shin Bet estimates of the extent of the perpetrator group vary: one figure calculates that from several hundred to about 3,000 people implement the price tag policy, while a recent analysis sets the figure at a few dozen individuals, organized in small close-knit and well-organised cells and backed by a few hundred right-wing activists. Yizhar Hess , comparing hate-crimes against Arabs in Israel and antisemitic acts against Jews in France, notes that incidents of the former are proportionately higher, and argues that price tag acts are Israel's anti-Semitism . The roots of the price tag policy were traced to the August 2005 dismantling of settlements in the Gaza Strip as part of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan . Ever since then, extreme right wing settlers have sought to establish a " balance of terror ", in which every state action aimed at them generates an immediate violent reaction. The definition of such acts as terroristic, however, is the subject of considerable political controversy in Israel. The "price tag" concept and violence have been publicly rejected by Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who have demanded that those responsible are brought to justice. Cabinet member Benny Begin stated: "These people are scoundrels, but we have not been terribly successful in catching them." Many people across the political spectrum in Israel have denounced such attacks and some have made efforts to redress the harm. The attacks are widely reported in the Arab media , and have been strongly condemned by the Organization of the Islamic Conference . The settler leadership have "fiercely condemned" the price tag policy, and the vast majority of Yesha rabbis have expressed their reservations about it. According to Shin Bet, the vast majority of the settlers also reject such actions. Nir Hasson, ‘Jerusalem Christians are latest targets in recent spate of 'price tag' attacks,’ at Haaretz , 21 February 2012. Nir Hasson/Associated Press, 'Monastery near Jerusalem defaced in suspected 'price tag' attack,' at Haaretz 21 August 2013.’ Jewish extremists originally used the term “price tag” to describe vandalism and violence that targeted Israelis as well as Palestinians and was aimed at preventing or avenging evacuations of West Bank settlers.’ Dale Gavlak, 'Price Tag' Israeli Extremists Target Christians,' Christianity Today 13 May, 2014 Yifa Yaakov, 'Arab Israeli complains of Galilee price tag attack,' The Times of Israel 21 April 2014, B'tselem , Background on violence by settlers,' 2011:'In recent years, settlers have carried out violent acts under the slogan "price tag." These are acts of random violence aimed at the Palestinian population and Israeli security forces.' Joshua Mitnick, ‘Mosque is torched in Israel,’ in Wall Street Journal , 4 October 2011.'Vandals scrawled "price tag" in Hebrew on a wall outside the mosque, referring to a campaign of retribution by fundamentalist Israeli youths against Palestinians in the West Bank..' Isabel Kershner, Mosque Set on Fire in Northern Israel , at New York Times , 3 October 2011:'The attack followed a series of similar assaults on mosques in the West Bank by arsonists suspected of being radical settlers as part of a campaign known as "price tag," which seeks to exact a price from local Palestinians for violence against settlers or from Israeli security forces for taking action against illegal construction in Jewish outposts in the West Bank.' Uri Friedman, The 'Price Tag' Menace: Vigilante Israeli Settler Attacks Spread , at The Atlantic Wire , 3 October 2011:'The New York Times defines price tag attacks as incidents in which radical Jewish settlers "exact a price from local Palestinians or from the Israeli security forces for any action taken against their settlement enterprise".' Ben Schott, 'Schott's Vocab: A Miscellany of Modern Words & Phrases,' in New York Times , 1 June 2011. Eli Ashkenazi, 'Vandals scrawl 'Death to Arabs' on window of Druze business in northern Israel,' Haaretz 7 May 2014. Nir Hasson, ‘Jerusalem Christians are latest targets in recent spate of 'price tag' attacks,’ at Haaretz , 21 February 2012.‘The attack on the Narkis Street Baptist Congregation marks the latest in a series of price tag attacks that have targeted Muslim, Christian and left-wing institutions in the capital over the last two months. But police believe most of the vandalism is not the work of an organized group; rather, they say, the spray-painted slogans are largely copycat actions carried out by lone individuals. The original price tag attacks, in contrast, were thought to be the work of a group of settlers seeking to set a "price tag" on house demolitions in the settlements via retaliatory attacks on Palestinians and/or Israeli soldiers. ‘ Nir Hasson/Associated Press, 'Monastery near Jerusalem defaced in suspected 'price tag' attack,' at Haaretz 21 August 2013.‘Dr. Gadi Gvaryahu, Chairman of the Bright Tag organization working to deter violent “price tag” attacks against Palestinians, said in of the attack: “The violation of the monastery is directly linked to attacks against over twenty Christian and Muslim places of worship in the last three years. The attackers seek to cause unrest between the various religions in Israel and bring about bloodshed”.’ Ahiya Raved, 'Fire heavily damages Church of Loaves and Fishes on Sea of Galilee,' Ynet 18 June 2015. According to Rabbis for Human Rights states that 43 such hate crime attacks have been made against churches, mosques and monasteries in Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 2009. Amos Harel, Revital Hovel, Jack Khoury, 'Security sources: 100 followers of racist rabbi are behind hate crimes,' Haaretz 8 May 2014. Police brace for Israeli Arab revenge attacks following mosque torching . "Price tag attacks are revenge actions by Jewish extremists, usually against Palestinians, following terror attacks or state demolitions in settlements or outposts." Haaretz Service and Chaim Levinson 'Palestinian stabbed in Hebron Hills in suspected 'price tag' attack,' in Haaretz , 21 March 2011. "Some of these so-called 'price tag' attacks have been in response to Palestinian attacks on Jews, while others have been in response to government actions taken to curtail of settlement activities." B'tselem , Background on violence by settlers,' 2011:"In recent years, settlers have carried out violent acts under the slogan "price tag". These are acts of random violence aimed at the Palestinian population and Israeli security forces. Nir Hasson and Gili Cohen,['Jerusalem's Dormition Church suffers suspected 'price tag' attack,'] at Haaretz , 30 May 2013 However, the Associated Press calculates the number of such attacks through all of the Holy Land at 17 over the three year period, 2011-2013. Associated Press, 'Attack on Jerusalem graves unnerves Christians,' at Ynet B'tselem , Background on violence by settlers . John Lyons, Moral Minority in The Australian , 17 September 2011:'Some settlers practice a "price tag" policy: if the Israeli government does something they do not like, such as trying to close an illegal outpost, they in turn punish Palestinians, by poisoning or burning olive trees, desecrating mosques or attacking cars..' Anshel Pfeffer & Chaim Levinson Israeli settlers' council condemns 'marginal group' behind vandalism at IDF base , in Haaretz , 7 September 2011: 'This was the first "price tag" act extremist settlers have implemented against the army since adopting their policy of seeking retribution to exact for any curb on Israeli construction in the West Bank. Extremists adopted their "price tag" policy to demonstrate discontent with the government's decision to freeze construction in West Bank settlements, but have directed their operations thus far at Palestinians.' Chaim Levinson, 'Israel Police creates unit to fight 'price tag' attacks - but only in West Bank,' at Haaretz 26 June 2013 Oz Rosenberg, 'Home of Israeli left-wing activist defaced in latest 'price tag' act,' in Haaretz , 12 September 2011. Chezki Ezra, GSS hills activists engaged in "price tag" debate" , in Arutz Sheva , 11 February 2008. Reuters, Facts about "Price Tag" attacks blamed on Jewish settlers , 3 October 2011. Eli Ashkenazi, Amos Harel and DPA 'Israel Police on high alert as clashes ensue following mosque arson,' in Haaretz , 4 October 2011. Yizhar Hess, Price tag' is Israel's anti-Semitism,' Ynet 8 May 2014:'Relatively, there are more hate incidents against Arabs in Israel than hate incidents against Jews in France. . .When one examines these numbers courageously, the earth starts moving. Nearly eight million residents live in Israel. On average, we are talking about one anti-Semitic incident per 400,000 people. . .Even France, which had the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents in 2013, recorded 116 incidents. With its 66 million residents, we are talking about once incident per 600,000 people.' Amos Harel ANALYSIS / The extreme right has sought to establish a 'balance of terror' , in Haaretz , 11 March 2008. 'Meretz head Gal-On blasts AG over cabinet’s lesser categorization of 'price tag’ attacks,' at Haaretz, 16 February 2014. Netanyahu vows to stop price-tag, racist attacks . Jerusalem Post. 2013 Herb Keinon, Tovah Lazaroff, 'Netanyahu condemns settlers’ ‘price tag’ violence' in Jerusalem Post, 9 March 2011:"Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday condemned alleged violence carried out by far-Right activists in the past week under the guise of the so-called "price tag" reprisal policy, saying the whole concept was completely unacceptable." Ethan Bronner, Amid Statehood Bid, Tensions Simmer in West Bank , in New York Times , 23 September 2011. Raanan Ben-Zur, 'Suspect arrested in Tuba Zangaria mosque arson,' in Ynet , 6 October 2011. Nadav Shragai, 'The new policy of the settlers: "price tag" on any evacuation of the army', (Hebrew) in Haaretz , 3 October 2008:"The settlers' establishment and the vast majority of the Yesha Rabbis express reservations about it." Eli Ashkenazi, Amos Harel and DPA Israel Police on high alert as clashes ensue following mosque arson in Haaretz , 4 October 2011.

Attacks and acts of vandalism committed by Jewish fundamentalist Israeli settler youths "Fight the enemy. Price Tag." Hebrew Graffiti spray-painted by Israeli settlers in ‘Urif Olive tree in the village of Burin which was allegedly vandalized by settlers from Yitzhar The price tag attack policy ( ), also sometimes referred to as "mutual responsibility" ( ), is the name originally given to the attacks and acts of vandalism committed primarily in the occupied West Bank by Israeli Jewish fundamentalist settler youths against Palestinian Arabs , left-wing Israeli Jews , Israeli Arabs , Christians , and Israeli security forces . The youths officially claim that the acts are committed to "exact a price from local Palestinians or from the Israeli security forces for any action taken against their settlement enterprise". B'Tselem has documented many acts of this kind, which have included violent attacks carried out against random Palestinian civilians, burning of mosques and fields, stone throwing, uprooting trees, and incursions into Palestinian villages and land. These actions come as retaliation for Palestinian acts of violence against settlers, or decisions by the Israeli government to curb Jewish construction in the West Bank, where 80% of the attacks take place, while some 10–15% take place in the area of Jerusalem. Such vandalism also embraces damaging the property, or injuring members of the Israel Police and the Israel Defense Forces , and defacing the homes of left-wing activists. The Israel Security Agency, known as Shin Bet , estimates of the extent of the perpetrator group vary: one figure calculates that from several hundred to about 3,000 people implement the price tag policy, while a recent analysis sets the figure at a few dozen individuals, organized in small close-knit and well-organised cells and backed by a few hundred right-wing activists. Yizhar Hess , comparing hate crimes against Arabs in Israel and antisemitic acts against Jews in France , notes that incidents of price tag attacks are proportionately higher, and argues that price tag acts are Israel's antisemitism . The roots of the price tag policy were traced to the August 2005 dismantling of settlements in the Gaza Strip as part of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan . Ever since then, extreme right wing settlers have sought to establish a " balance of terror ", in which every state action aimed at them generates an immediate violent reaction. The definition of such acts as terroristic, however, is the subject of considerable political controversy in Israel. The "price tag" concept and violence have been publicly rejected by Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who have demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. Cabinet member Benny Begin stated: "These people are scoundrels, but we have not been terribly successful in catching them." Many people across the political spectrum in Israel have denounced such attacks and some have made efforts to redress the harm. The attacks are widely reported in the Arab media , and have been strongly condemned by the Organization of the Islamic Conference . The settler leadership have "fiercely condemned" the price tag policy, and the vast majority of Yesha rabbis have expressed their reservations about it. According to Shin Bet, the vast majority of the settlers also reject such actions. Nir Hasson, ‘Jerusalem Christians are latest targets in recent spate of 'price tag' attacks,’ at Haaretz , 21 February 2012. Nir Hasson/Associated Press, 'Monastery near Jerusalem defaced in suspected 'price tag' attack,' at Haaretz 21 August 2013.' Jewish extremists originally used the term "price tag" to describe vandalism and violence that targeted Israelis as well as Palestinians and was aimed at preventing or avenging evacuations of West Bank settlers.' Mitnick, Joshua (4 October 2011). The Wall Street Journal . Vandals scrawled "price tag" in Hebrew on a wall outside the mosque, referring to a campaign of retribution by fundamentalist Israeli youths against Palestinians in the West Bank. Oz Rosenberg, 'Home of Israeli left-wing activist defaced in latest 'price tag' act,' in Haaretz , 12 September 2011. Yifa Yaakov, 'Arab Israeli complains of Galilee price tag attack,' The Times of Israel 21 April 2014, "Background on violence by settlers" . In recent years, settlers have carried out violent acts under the slogan "price tag". These are acts of violence aimed at the Palestinian population and Israeli security forces. Extremists adopted their "price tag" policy to demonstrate discontent with the government's decision to freeze construction in West Bank settlements, but have directed their operations thus far at Palestinians.' Chaim Levinson, 'Israel Police creates unit to fight 'price tag' attacks - but only in West Bank,' at Haaretz 26 June 2013 Chezki Ezra, GSS hills activists engaged in "price tag" debate" , in Arutz Sheva , 11 February 2008. Reuters, Facts about "Price Tag" attacks blamed on Jewish settlers , 3 October 2011. Eli Ashkenazi, Amos Harel and DPA 'Israel Police on high alert as clashes ensue following mosque arson,' in Haaretz , 4 October 2011. Yizhar Hess, 'Price tag' is Israel's anti-Semitism Price tag' is Israel's anti-Semitism,'] Ynet 8 May 2014:'Relatively, there are more hate incidents against Arabs in Israel than hate incidents against Jews in France. . .When one examines these numbers courageously, the earth starts moving. Nearly eight million residents live in Israel. On average, we are talking about one anti-Semitic incident per 400,000 people... Even France, which had the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents in 2013, recorded 116 incidents. With its 66 million residents, we are talking about one incident per 600,000 people.' Amos Harel ANALYSIS / The extreme right has sought to establish a 'balance of terror' , in Haaretz , 11 March 2008. 'Meretz head Gal-On blasts AG over cabinet’s lesser categorization of 'price tag’ attacks,' at Haaretz, 16 February 2014. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday condemned alleged violence carried out by far-Right activists in the past week under the guise of the so-called "price tag" reprisal policy, saying the whole concept was completely unacceptable. Raanan Ben-Zur, 'Suspect arrested in Tuba Zangaria mosque arson,' in Ynet , 6 October 2011. Nadav Shragai, 'The new policy of the settlers: "price tag" on any evacuation of the army' , (Hebrew) in Haaretz , 3 October 2008: "The settlers' establishment and the vast majority of the Yesha Rabbis express reservations about it." Eli Ashkenazi, Amos Harel and DPA Israel Police on high alert as clashes ensue following mosque arson in Haaretz , 4 October 2011.

Acts of vandalism and violence committed by extremist Israeli settler youths Olive tree in the village of Burin which was stated to be vandalized by settlers from Yitzhar The price tag attack policy ( Hebrew : מדיניות תג מחיר ), also sometimes referred to as mutual responsibility ( אחריות הדדית ), is the name originally given to the attacks and acts of vandalism committed primarily in the occupied West Bank by extremist Israeli settler youths against Palestinian Arabs , and to a lesser extent, against left-wing Israeli Jews , Israeli Arabs , Christians , and Israeli security forces . The youths officially claim that the acts are committed to "exact a price from local Palestinians or from the Israeli security forces for any action taken against their settlement enterprise". B'Tselem has documented many acts of this kind, which have included violent attacks carried out against random Palestinian civilians, burning of mosques and fields, stone throwing, uprooting trees, and incursions into Palestinian villages and land. These actions come as retaliation for Palestinian acts of violence against settlers, or decisions by the Israeli government to curb Jewish construction in the West Bank, where 80% of the attacks take place, while some 10–15% take place in the area of Jerusalem. Such vandalism also embraces damaging the property, or injuring members of the Israel Police and the Israel Defense Forces , and defacing the homes of left-wing activists. The Israel Security Agency, known as Shin Bet , estimates of the extent of the perpetrator group vary: one figure calculates that from several hundred to about 3,000 people implement the price tag policy, while a recent analysis sets the figure at a few dozen individuals, organized in small close-knit and well-organised cells and backed by a few hundred right-wing activists. Yizhar Hess , comparing hate crimes against Arabs in Israel and antisemitic acts against Jews in France , notes that incidents of price tag attacks are proportionately higher, and argues that price tag acts are Israel's antisemitism . The roots of the price tag policy were traced to the August 2005 dismantling of settlements in the Gaza Strip as part of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan . Ever since then, extreme right wing settlers have sought to establish a " balance of terror ", in which every state action aimed at them generates an immediate violent reaction. The definition of such acts as terroristic, however, is the subject of considerable political controversy in Israel. The "price tag" concept and violence have been publicly rejected by Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who have demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. Cabinet member Benny Begin stated: "These people are scoundrels, but we have not been terribly successful in catching them." Many people across the political spectrum in Israel have denounced such attacks and some have made efforts to redress the harm. The attacks are widely reported in the Arab media , and have been strongly condemned by the Organization of the Islamic Conference . The settler leadership have "fiercely condemned" the price tag policy, and the vast majority of Yesha rabbis have expressed their reservations about it. According to Shin Bet, the vast majority of the settlers also reject such actions. Nir Hasson, ‘Jerusalem Christians are latest targets in recent spate of 'price tag' attacks,’ at Haaretz , 21 February 2012. Nir Hasson/Associated Press, 'Monastery near Jerusalem defaced in suspected 'price tag' attack,' at Haaretz 21 August 2013.' Jewish extremists originally used the term "price tag" to describe vandalism and violence that targeted Israelis as well as Palestinians and was aimed at preventing or avenging evacuations of West Bank settlers.' Mitnick, Joshua (4 October 2011). The Wall Street Journal . Vandals scrawled "price tag" in Hebrew on a wall outside the mosque, referring to a campaign of retribution by fundamentalist Israeli youths against Palestinians in the West Bank. Oz Rosenberg, 'Home of Israeli left-wing activist defaced in latest 'price tag' act,' in Haaretz , 12 September 2011. Yifa Yaakov, 'Arab Israeli complains of Galilee price tag attack,' The Times of Israel 21 April 2014, "Background on violence by settlers" . In recent years, settlers have carried out violent acts under the slogan "price tag". These are acts of violence aimed at the Palestinian population and Israeli security forces. Extremists adopted their "price tag" policy to demonstrate discontent with the government's decision to freeze construction in West Bank settlements, but have directed their operations thus far at Palestinians.' Chaim Levinson, 'Israel Police creates unit to fight 'price tag' attacks - but only in West Bank,' at Haaretz 26 June 2013 Chezki Ezra, GSS hills activists engaged in "price tag" debate" , in Arutz Sheva , 11 February 2008. Eli Ashkenazi, Amos Harel and DPA 'Israel Police on high alert as clashes ensue following mosque arson,' in Haaretz , 4 October 2011. Yizhar Hess, 'Price tag' is Israel's anti-Semitism Price tag' is Israel's anti-Semitism,'] Ynet 8 May 2014:'Relatively, there are more hate incidents against Arabs in Israel than hate incidents against Jews in France. . .When one examines these numbers courageously, the earth starts moving. Nearly eight million residents live in Israel. On average, we are talking about one anti-Semitic incident per 400,000 people... Even France, which had the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents in 2013, recorded 116 incidents. With its 66 million residents, we are talking about one incident per 600,000 people.' Amos Harel ANALYSIS / The extreme right has sought to establish a 'balance of terror' , in Haaretz , 11 March 2008. 'Meretz head Gal-On blasts AG over cabinet’s lesser categorization of 'price tag’ attacks,' at Haaretz, 16 February 2014. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday condemned alleged violence carried out by far-Right activists in the past week under the guise of the so-called "price tag" reprisal policy, saying the whole concept was completely unacceptable. Raanan Ben-Zur, 'Suspect arrested in Tuba Zangaria mosque arson,' in Ynet , 6 October 2011. Nadav Shragai, 'The new policy of the settlers: "price tag" on any evacuation of the army' , (Hebrew) in Haaretz , 3 October 2008: "The settlers' establishment and the vast majority of the Yesha Rabbis express reservations about it." Eli Ashkenazi, Amos Harel and DPA Israel Police on high alert as clashes ensue following mosque arson in Haaretz , 4 October 2011.