Tag Meir

21/10/2026

We came to Mukhmas to stand in solidarity with the local community after the mosque was set on fire by Jewish extremists during the night of October 13–14.

Since mid-June 2026, 12 mosques in the West Bank have been torched and/or vandalized — without arrests or indictments.

We came to embrace the residents, to make clear that these acts of Jewish terrorism do not represent us or our Judaism, and to stand together against hatred and violence.

We prayed together for better days — for dignity, for safety, and for peace.

At Tag Meir, we believe that when a place of worship is attacked, people of faith must stand together. Judaism must be a source of light, responsibility and human dignity — never a justification for hatred.

21/10/2026

Rabbi Dov Lior: and the silence of rabbinic leadership

There are difficult things that must be said about Rabbi Dov Lior. Ideally, they should be said openly by Israel’s Chief Rabbis and by the leading rabbinic figures of our generation.

Sadly, that public voice has been largely absent.

How is it that questions of public leadership, morality and even the protection of human life can be pushed aside because of the fear of publicly challenging a respected Torah scholar?

Rabbi Dov Lior is one of the most influential rabbinic figures associated with Israel’s far right. His public record is not new. He eulogized Baruch Goldstein, who murdered 29 Muslim worshippers in Hebron in 1994, and described him as a holy man. He endorsed Torat HaMelech, a deeply controversial book that discusses circumstances in which the killing of non-Jews, including children, could be permitted.

And now, on October 16, 2026, Rabbi Lior issued a halachic ruling permitting Jews to harvest olives from Palestinian groves — even from groves far from Jewish communities — arguing that doing so demonstrates Jewish ownership of the Land and fulfils the mitzvah of conquering it.

The debate that followed has focused heavily on technical halachic questions: Have the Palestinian owners “despaired” of recovering their olives? Who owns the land?

But something far more fundamental is being lost.

Derech eretz (Human dignity), Darchei noam (the ways of pleasantness). Darchei shalom(the ways of peace), and above all, the terrible danger of Chillul Hashem — desecrating God’s name.

When religious authority is used to provide moral or religious justification for taking the property of innocent people, silence is not an adequate response.

Jewish religious leadership must find the courage to say so publicly.

This is not an attack on Judaism.

It is precisely because we care about Judaism that we cannot remain silent when Judaism is invoked to justify injustice.

Rabbis for Human Rights accuses prominent Religious Zionist Rabbi Dov Lior, 92, of incitement to racism and soliciting theft of property; complaint comes amid surge in settler violence

21/10/2026

“Bad apples” set fire to homes in Burqa before dawn, claiming to act in the name of Judaism.

Once again, the Israel Police “opened an investigation” — and once again, zero suspects were arrested.

When price-tag attacks, arson and pogrom-style violence become part of the morning routine, while enforcement remains little more than a recommendation, the writing is no longer just on the wall — it has already gone up in flames.

It is time for the security forces to wake up and act decisively, before the next fire engulfs us all.

11/10/2026

Following the disturbing incident in Jaffa in which Father Constantine, a leader of the Greek Orthodox community, was arrested and says he was subjected to violence and humiliating treatment by police, Ruach Galilit, a member organization of the Tag Meir Forum bringing together religious and spiritual leaders from across the Galilee, came to meet him and express their support. Reports say Father Constantine was arrested after intervening when he believed police were treating a young man aggressively; police have disputed allegations of mistreatment.

The delegation brought him a letter signed in a spirit of solidarity by Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Buddhists and others — rabbis, priests, imams, sheikhs and community leaders.

They wrote: “When a religious leader wears his robes, he carries a responsibility in the world — to see those who are vulnerable, to offer compassion, faith and a listening ear. In doing so, he becomes a symbol for his community.
When such a person is humiliated or subjected to violence, especially while wearing those robes, the injury is felt far beyond the individual.
We want you to know: you are not alone. People of faith from many traditions are shocked by what happened and stand with you.”

The letter concluded with the words of the prophet Micah: "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Solidarity across faiths matters most precisely at moments like these.

📷 Pictured: Hagai Dvir of Mitzpe Netofa, Father Constantine, Father Saba Haj of I'billin, and Rabbi Yair Lifsh*tz.

11/10/2026

We met with Ahmad al-Husseini, 66 years old, a father of ten and grandfather of 33, who was brutally attacked near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem during Sukkot.

Ahmad was on his way to work early in the morning when he was surrounded, beaten and kicked by a group of Jewish extremists. He suffered broken ribs.

Perhaps one of the most disturbing parts of this story is what did not happen.

Damascus Gate is one of the most heavily monitored areas in Jerusalem, with cameras, police and Border Police nearby. Yet Ahmad says that as he was being beaten, no one came to his aid — not the police, not the security forces and not the people passing by.

This happened during Sukkot, as many around him were on their way to prayer and to fulfil the commandments of the holiday.

What meaning do our prayers and mitzvot have if we can walk past another human being — created, as Jewish tradition teaches, *b’tzelem Elohim*, in the image of God — while he is being beaten and humiliated?

President Isaac Herzog later called Ahmad personally, expressed his deep sorrow over what had happened and strongly condemned the violence against him.

Police have since arrested three minors in connection with the attack. But the images and the questions they raise remain deeply troubling.

We came to Ahmad because no person who suffers racist violence should feel that he stands alone.

Tag Meir will continue to stand against racism and hate — and alongside their victims, whoever they may be.

09/10/2026

Last week a large solidarity gathering was held at the sukkah of the Kol Haneshama community in Jerusalem, following a series of hate attacks against the community.

Kol Haneshama has been targeted five times by hate criminals — a disturbing reminder that intolerance and violence can also be directed at Jewish communities whose religious identity or practice is seen as different.

At the gathering, Rabbi Dana Sharon spoke on behalf of Tag Meir, standing together with the community and reaffirming a simple message: hatred must never be normalized, and no community should have to face intimidation or violence alone.

Tag Meir will continue to stand with those targeted by hate and to defend a society built on dignity, pluralism and mutual respect.

Come this Shabbat to Kol Neshama services to show your support
Shabbat Shalom

08/10/2026

Words have consequences.

In recent weeks, Elisha Yered and Ayelet Lash have published deeply disturbing accusations targeting Arab citizens of Israel simply because of who they are and where they work.

Yered suggested that Arab bus drivers — thousands of people who safely transport Israelis every day — could potentially turn their buses into weapons against their Jewish passengers.

Lash has repeatedly spread suspicion and fear around Arab doctors and medical professionals, questioning whether Jewish patients can trust the very people who treat and care for them in Israel’s hospitals.

These are not abstract statements. Arab bus drivers have already been subjected to racist abuse and physical attacks, while Arab doctors, nurses and other medical professionals work every day alongside their Jewish colleagues and care for Jewish and Arab patients alike.

Tag Meir has filed complaints regarding these publications for suspected incitement to violence and racism.

We cannot allow an entire community to be portrayed as a threat because of the actions of individuals. Generalizations like these deepen fear, hatred and division — and can put real people in danger.

We will continue to speak out against racism and incitement, wherever they come from, and to defend a shared society based on dignity, equality and mutual responsibility.

08/10/2026

A few days ago, we returned to visit, support and embrace the Tubasi family from the Palestinian village of Jalud.

In July 2026, members of the Tubasi family were forced from their homes following repeated violence and harassment by extremist Israeli settlers.

The High Court of Justice subsequently ordered the authorities to ensure that the families could safely return to their homes.

But on the night of September 28–29, when the family tried to return under the protection of Israeli security forces, more than 100 extremist Jewish rioters arrived to prevent them from doing so. Roads were blocked, homes and vehicles were set on fire, stones were thrown at the security forces, and three Border Police officers were injured.

Once again, the Tubasi family was unable to return home.

We promised them that Tag Meir will continue to stand beside them, visit them and help in every way we can until they are finally able to return safely and fully to the homes from which they were driven.

No family should be left alone in the face of hatred and violence.

We will continue to stand with the Tubasi family. ❤️