Israel's President has issued a powerful condemnation of what he describes as 'shocking and serious' violence perpetrated by Jewish settlers against Palestinian civilians and Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank.
A Presidential Condemnation
President Isaac Herzog, whose role serves as a moral compass for the nation, broke ranks with more muted official criticism to demand decisive action. In a social media post, he stated that the violence committed by a 'handful' of perpetrators 'crosses a red line'. He called upon all state authorities to act decisively to eradicate the phenomenon and to support the IDF and security forces.
His forceful remarks came a day after a significant incident on Tuesday, where dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf. The assailants set fire to vehicles and other property before clashing with Israeli soldiers who responded to the scene.
Military and Official Backing
The President's stance was swiftly echoed by a top Israeli military commander. Central Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth denounced the actions of what he termed an 'anarchist fringe' within the settler community. He labelled the situation an 'unacceptable situation' that diverts crucial resources from security and counterterrorism operations.
Bluth emphasised the severity of the issue, stating, 'The reality in which anarchist fringe youth act violently against innocent civilians and against security forces is unacceptable and is extremely serious. It must be dealt with firmly.' Israeli police confirmed that four Israelis were arrested in connection with what they described as 'extremist violence'. The military reported that four Palestinians were wounded during the incidents.
A Surge in Violence and Palestinian Anger
This latest outbreak is part of a dangerous trend. Settler violence has surged dramatically since the war in Gaza erupted two years ago, with attacks intensifying recently as Palestinians undertake their annual olive harvest.
The scale of the problem is stark. The U.N. humanitarian office reported that October saw over 260 Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians—the highest number in a single month since it began keeping records in 2006.
Palestinians and human rights workers consistently accuse the Israeli army and police of failing to prevent these attacks. This perception is compounded by a Israeli government dominated by far-right proponents of the settler movement, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the national police force.
On the ground, the impact is deeply personal. In Beit Lid, resident Mahmoud Edeis spoke of the constant fear, saying, 'This can’t go on. It can’t be that we keep living our whole lives in a state of fear and danger.' Palestinian official Muayyad Shaaban, head of the Commission against the Wall and Settlements, accused the settlers of a coordinated campaign to drive Palestinians from their land and called for sanctions against groups supporting what he termed 'colonial settlement terrorism'.
