Earlier today, members of the far-left “Standing Together” organization entered the Religious Zionism party’s headquarters in Shoham to protest party leader Bezalel Smotrich’s support for Israeli communities in the country’s heartland, Judea and Samaria. The radical agitators painted their hands red to symbolize “blood on their hands” and blocked the exits, preventing people from leaving.
As a result, party workers were forced to stay inside the offices and were instructed not to leave. When police forces arrived at the scene, officials told our police correspondent Milan Amar that “the protesters had already left the headquarters.”
The police officials denied that there had been a break-in, despite the party’s claims: “They protested and left before we arrived.” The officials added that from their perspective, this was a “legitimate protest” and made it clear that if the Religious Zionist Party was interested in it, “let them file a complaint.” According to them, there was no trespassing in the actions of the far-left activists.
Later, the police disavowed the response of the aforementioned officials, and in an official statement clarified that “the Israel Police will not allow incitement, violence or any violation of the law under the guise of protest.” In addition, the police arrived at the headquarters and collected testimony from the headquarters employees who were present during the attempted break-in by the radical activists.
The chairman of the Religious Zionist Party, Minister Bezalel Smotrich, reacted angrily to the incident: “I am shocked by the violence directed at the Religious Zionist headquarters this morning. This serious incident is another expression of the fact that the severe incitement against the right has practical consequences on the ground.”
Smotrich took aim at his political rivals: “Several hours have passed, and still all the senior opposition leaders are silent in the face of the violence because they need the radical left to form a government. I demand that the police investigate the incident, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure that violence remains outside the political arena. There is no place for it in any way!”
MK Tali Gottlieb could not pass by the event in silence either, and clarified: “The dangerous left-wing protesters who painted their hands red and blocked the headquarters of Religious Zionism are an accurate reflection of being accomplices to our enemies. The cemeteries are soaked in the blood of our fallen heroes, many of whom are members of Religious Zionism. Every right-winger who sees these pictures must memorize them. This is not a small minority; this is the left filled with hatred! The right-wing camp must be strong and united, or the wicked and dangerous will form a government and lose control of our country to the benefit of our enemies.”
The Religious Zionist Party responded to the break-in by saying: “The incitement of Yair Golan and his friends, and the silence of Gadi Eisenkot, against the settlers, are having results on the ground. We demand that the police investigate the incident and ensure the safety of party workers in Israel. There is no place for violence in the political arena. Opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Hili Tropper must condemn the violence of the extreme left, which is motivated by incitement against the settler public.”
This is not the first occurrence of radical leftists protesting and occupying conservative headquarters, as happened in the well-known case of the Kohelet Forum.
In May 2025, dozens of protesters were arrested during a violent demonstration held in Tel Aviv and declared by the police to be an illegal demonstration. During the events, protesters broke into the Metzudat Ze’ev building – the headquarters of the Likud party, causing damage to property on the spot. One of the police officers present at the scene was injured and was taken to receive medical treatment.