Provocations Unlimited

 Once again, the media is having a field day in being able to blame Israel. Who is behind the constant provocations under the guise of the "olive harvest"? Why is there always a TV crew available for filming? Who are the overseas anarchists taking part? etc.,

Here we have yet another generously funded, carefully planned and well-organized campaign creating a false perception of a widespread phenomenon of violence by settlers in Judea and Samaria against Arab residents in the area.

Today, thanks to the proper actions of the IDF and the police, three provocation events were prevented in Judea and Samaria under the pretext of “olive harvest”:

1. The main event of the Palestinian Authority in the village of Deir Jarir – IDF forces thwarted the event, in which senior Palestinian Authority officials planned to participate, thanks to early intelligence on the organization.

2. Another event was prevented in Turmus Ayya near Ramallah – an event led by the anarchist Jonathan Pollak and dozens of Palestinians and journalists – and only two olive pickers.

3. An uncoordinated event, in an area that requires coordination near Beitar Illit, with dozens of participants including foreigners, among them a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress who wanted to make some headlines before the elections in the U.S. and ended up only partially satisfied. Dozens of participants were put on a bus back and the uncoordinated event was prevented.

Each of these events could have ended up as huge headlines in the mainstream media in Israel and abroad and caused cognitive damage to Israel.

Early intelligence for such events prevent terror attacks. The impact of “cognitive attacks” on Israel’s legitimacy in the world justifies allocating intelligence gathering resources to this issue.