Record settler violence in the West Bank has reached unprecedented levels, causing internal rifts in Israel as military leaders condemn the attacks while settlers benefit from government backing, raising fears of further escalation.
In the occupied West Bank, the Hamida Mosque near Deir Istiya was vandalized by Israeli settlers on Thursday, leaving charred furniture and debris scattered outside. Imam Ahmad Salman told the BBC that the attack was a message from Jewish settlers about their ability to strike anywhere, including cities and villages, and that it felt deeply wrong to target places of prayer. Graffiti on the mosque wall directly challenged regional military chief Maj Gen Avi Bluth, reading “We’re not afraid of you,” underscoring settler defiance amid a wave of violence. Dozens of men attended Friday prayers in a show of resistance, turning their backs to the scorched wall.
The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs registered over 260 settler attacks in October alone, the highest monthly count since monitoring began in 2006. This record surge coincides with the annual olive harvest, a period that often sees heightened tensions, but the scale this year has broken previous patterns. Human rights groups link the increase to the aftermath of the Gaza War that started in 2023, with more than 3,200 Palestinians forcibly displaced due to settler violence and restrictions since then. The UN data highlights a troubling escalation in attacks resulting in Palestinian casualties or property damage.
Recent incidents illustrate the brutality of the violence. Reuters journalist Raneen Sawafta was beaten with a club while covering the olive harvest near Beita, with the force of the blows leaving a deep dent in her helmet. Red Crescent volunteer Hamad al-Jagoub abu Rabia was hit in the head with a rock while trying to assist her and required hospitalization. In another attack, 55-year-old Afaf Abu Alia was severely beaten with a club as she lay cowering on the ground during a settler assault on farmland she rents near Abu Falah, resulting in 20 stitches to her head and extensive bruises.
Israeli military leaders have responded with strong condemnations. The chief of staff described the settler violence as a “red line” and promised decisive action, while Maj Gen Avi Bluth labeled perpetrators “anarchist fringe youth” and vowed to address the issue firmly. However, arrests and convictions remain rare; the Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din found that over 93% of police investigations into Israeli offences against Palestinians in the West Bank over the past two decades were closed without charges. This lack of accountability has fueled criticism from human rights groups.
Some settlers, like Amichai Luria from Ma’ale Levona, argue that the focus on violence is exaggerated, comparing it to minor incidents and claiming that most Palestinians would support groups like Hamas or Hezbollah. Luria expressed distrust in the army, alleging that many soldiers are “anti-Israel,” which reflects deepening ideological divides within Israeli society. This perspective contrasts with the army’s stance and highlights the tensions between expansionist settlers and security forces.
Government support has emboldened settlers, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir distributing over 100,000 weapons to civilian security squads in West Bank settlements and advocating for formal annexation. The government has authorized a sharp expansion of settlements and legalized some unauthorized outposts, actions considered illegal under international law but disputed by Israel. Defence Minister Israel Katz banned administrative detention for Jewish settlers, against the advice of security agencies, and the army is now seeking to reinstate that power to help curb the violence.
The escalating situation risks further confrontation, with international observers closely monitoring the West Bank. Wadi abu Awad, a civil engineer from Turmus Aya, warned that continued pressure could lead to desperate reactions from Palestinians, akin to “a cat pushed into a corner becoming a tiger.” The internal rifts within Israel, between military and political leaders and among settlers and the army, complicate de-escalation efforts and could lead to broader regional instability if not addressed.
