DEIR ISTIYA, West Bank (AP) – Israeli settlers have reportedly torched and defaced a mosque in the Palestinian village of Deir Istiya, located in the central West Bank. This incident occurred overnight, with hateful messages left on the walls a day after several Israeli leaders condemned a violent attack by settlers against Palestinians.
During a visit from an Associated Press reporter on Thursday, it was noted that one wall of the mosque had been burned, in addition to at least three copies of the Quran and sections of the carpeting. Messages such as "we are not afraid," "we will revenge again," and "keep on condemning" were graffitied on one side of the building. The Hebrew vandalism appeared to reference Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, the head of the military's Central Command, who recently issued a rare denunciation of the escalating violence sparked by settlers.
This incident is part of a troubling trend of settler violence that has incited strong reactions from high-ranking officials, military leaders, and the Trump administration. Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly address the recent surge in violent incidents.
Soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces were present at the mosque site when reporters visited, though the military did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the situation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concerns during a press conference, warning that the escalating violence in the West Bank might undermine the ongoing efforts in Gaza.
Since the outbreak of war in Gaza two years ago, young settlers have launched hundreds of attacks against Palestinians, which have intensified especially during the annual olive harvest season. According to the UN's humanitarian office, October 2023 recorded the highest number of settler attacks in the West Bank since tracking began in 2006.
On Tuesday, masked Israeli settlers assaulted the Palestinian villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf, reportedly setting fire to vehicles and properties while clashing with Israeli soldiers. In the face of such violence, Israeli President Isaac Herzog characterized the settlers' actions as "shocking and serious." While his role is largely ceremonial, Herzog aims to serve as a unifying figure in the nation.
Herzog stated that the violence inflicted by a "handful" of perpetrators crosses a red line and insisted that all state authorities must act decisively to eradicate such phenomena. His sentiments were echoed by the Israeli army's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, who remarked that the military would not accept acts of violence from a minority of criminals who tarnish the reputation of the law-abiding public. Zamir emphasized that the army is committed to stopping acts of violence committed by settlers, viewing such behavior as contrary to Israeli values and detrimental to military operations.
Marco Rubio praised the Israeli president and military officials for their denunciation of the Beit Lid attacks. However, Palestinians and human rights advocates claim that the Israeli army and police have failed to effectively prevent settler attacks. This failure occurs amidst a government that is primarily influenced by far-right proponents of the settler movement, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees settlement policy, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the cabinet minister responsible for the nation’s police force.
