Left-wing activists stage protest at Religious Zionism party HQ over West Bank settlement funding

Campaigners from the left-wing protest movement ‘Standing Together’ gathered outside the headquarters of the Religious Zionism party in Shoham on Tuesday, with red paint on their hands in a symbolic show of opposition to government funding for settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The activists entered the party offices and occupied the floor space of the building as part of their demonstration against what they view as the diversion of public resources to support Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories.
The party’s leadership condemned the protest, releasing a statement claiming that “extreme left-wing activists attempted a violent incursion” into their offices. The incident reflects the deepening divisions within Israeli society over settlement policy, with left-wing groups arguing that billions of shekels are being channelled to settlements whilst social services and public infrastructure in Israel proper suffer from underfunding.
Religious Zionism, which holds significant influence in the current coalition government, has made expanding settlement construction a priority. The party’s leadership and supporters argue that Jewish settlements in the West Bank are a legitimate expression of Israeli sovereignty and historical connection to the land, a position that remains internationally contentious.
The Standing Together movement has made settlement funding a focal point of its activism, regularly staging demonstrations to draw public attention to government budget allocations. Tuesday’s protest marks the latest in a series of direct actions targeting the party’s offices and key government ministries over this issue.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.