Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the latest violence by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. He promised firm action after clashes and an arson attack hit a Palestinian village on Monday.
Homes and vehicles in the village were set on fire. The attack came just hours after members of the Hilltop Youth movement fought with security forces who were removing an illegal settler outpost.
Violence has surged across the West Bank since the Hamas attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war in October 2023. In recent weeks, settler attacks have increased sharply, targeting Palestinians and sometimes Israeli soldiers.
Netanyahu said he took the situation very seriously. “I view with great severity the violent riots and the attempt by a handful of extremists to take the law into their own hands,” he said. He added that these individuals were “a group that does not represent” settlers in the territory.
He urged strict legal action. “I call on the law enforcement authorities to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
Netanyahu also said he would handle the matter personally.
“I intend to deal with this personally, and convene the relevant ministers as soon as possible to address this serious phenomenon.”
Security Forces Dismantle Illegal Outpost
Hundreds of Israeli security personnel arrived on Monday morning to evacuate and demolish the illegal outpost of Tzur Misgavi in the Gush Etzion area, near the Palestinian town of Sair.
The forces fired tear gas and stun grenades as they clashed with extremist settler activists. These activists aim to drive Palestinians out and build new settlements without government approval.
Some protesters climbed onto a digger and stood on top of a structure as a bulldozer tore it down. Security forces demolished at least 10 prefabricated homes. Women holding small children were left sitting in the rubble.
Attack on Palestinian Village
Later that day, the Israeli military said it responded to an attack in the Palestinian village of Jab’a, about 30 kilometres southwest of Jerusalem. According to the army, “dozens of Israeli civilians… set fire to and vandalised homes and vehicles.”
Security forces searched the area for suspects. The military said the incident was still unfolding. It also warned that such violence distracts soldiers from their main responsibilities of defence and counter-terrorism.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the attack. “The riot of the Hilltop Youth in the village of Jab’a is another stage in the escalating violence,” he said.
UN Reports Record Settler Violence
The United Nations said October was the worst month for settler violence in the West Bank since it began tracking incidents in 2006. It recorded 264 cases of attacks leading to injuries or property damage. Very few perpetrators have faced legal consequences.
Israeli Leaders Criticise Extremist Actions
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the “Jewish rioters” were harming Israel’s image, “shaming Judaism and causing damage to the settlement enterprise.”
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the government would continue developing settlements but would do so within the law. He condemned the attackers as “criminal anarchists.”
Israel’s military chief Eyal Zamir recently promised to stop settler violence after a fresh wave of attacks on Palestinians.
Background and Casualties
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live there along with about three million Palestinians. All settlements in the territory violate international law. Even Israeli law prohibits outposts, though many later receive government approval.
Since the Gaza war began, at least 1,006 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers, according to the Palestinian health ministry. During the same period, 43 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks, according to Israeli officials.