TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – Recent unrest in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has seen dozens of Israeli settlers violently attacking a military base. These actions included arson, vandalizing military vehicles, and assaults on soldiers, as reported by the military. The turmoil escalated following several attacks by Jewish settlers and their subsequent arrests by security forces attempting to restore order in recent days.
On Wednesday evening, over 100 settlers entered the West Bank town of Kfar Malik. They set property on fire and opened fire on Palestinians attempting to intervene. According to Najeb Rostom, head of the local council, the situation intensified, resulting in military intervention that left three Palestinians dead. Following these events, Israeli security forces arrested five settlers for their involvement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly condemned these violent acts, stating, “No civilized country can tolerate violent and anarchic acts of burning a military facility, damaging IDF property, and attacking security personnel by citizens of the country.” Footage from Israeli media depicted a group of young, religious men linked to the “hilltop youth,” a radical sect of Israeli settlers known for their aggressive actions against Palestinians.
The video evidence showed security forces deploying stun grenades as the settlers gathered around the military base, located just north of Ramallah. The Israeli military released images demonstrating the damage caused during the attack, which included critical infrastructure meant to prevent terrorist attacks and uphold security.
In a rare move, far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who typically defends Israelis implicated in such violent confrontations, condemned the recent chaos. He conveyed on social media that attacking security forces and military personnel is unacceptable, describing them as “brothers” and emphasizing the necessity for strict consequences.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid characterized the rioters as “Jewish terrorists, gangs of criminals,” suggesting they feel emboldened by the current governing coalition. Ben-Gvir, known for his hard-line stance on Jewish settlements, has a controversial history in Israel, including a conviction for racist incitement and calls for the expulsion of Arab citizens. However, his political influence has grown significantly as the nation shifts further to the right, which has increasingly fueled violence from extremist settler groups.
In response to the ongoing violence, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a commitment to “eradicate this violence from the root.” He urged extremist settlers to consider that many of the security forces involved are reservists, often fatigued from repeated tours of duty.
Over the past two years, during the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Palestinians in the West Bank have reported significant increases in Israeli checkpoints and delays throughout the territory. Israeli authorities contend that threats from the West Bank towards their citizens are rising, contributing to ongoing tensions.
Israel has maintained control over the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem since the 1967 Six-Day War. Palestinians seek these territories for the establishment of their future state, where approximately three million Palestinians currently reside under Israeli military rule alongside 500,000 Jewish settlers. The international community largely regards the settlements as illegal.
