Shay Alon writes: No Concessions: This is How the State of Israel Must Manage Ramadan

Shay Alon is the mayor of the Beit El settlement, built on Palestinian land.

In an article titled “No Concessions: This is How the State of Israel Must Manage Ramadan,” published in the newspaper Makor Rishon, Alon calls for a change in Israeli policy during Ramadan. He rejects what he calls the “concept of Ramadan concessions,” arguing that the month has become a “strategic vulnerability” exploited by hostile entities.

The author emphasizes the need for strict security measures in the West Bank and rejects any changes to movement or law enforcement, asserting that any breach of order must be met with an immediate and decisive response.

The article redefines Ramadan from a religious occasion into a potential security threat, fostering suspicion by portraying the month as a breeding ground for unrest.

This framing justifies a preemptive tightening of security measures not based on any specific incident, but rather on the assumption of a constant danger. It also reinforces the dichotomy of “those who come in peace” versus “those who incite/disrupt the order” without clear criteria, which allows the definition of threat to be broadened to include widespread civil or religious manifestations, and characterizes a comprehensive security approach towards an entire society.