Post by : Rameen Ariff

The Israeli leadership is confronting increasing alarm over a significant escalation in settler violence within the West Bank. On Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gathered with high-ranking security officials, including military leaders, police, and the Shin Bet domestic security service, to deliberate on the growing assaults against Palestinians and potential countermeasures.

Recent events in Huwara have captured attention, where Israeli settlers allegedly threw rocks at Palestinian cars. These attacks were soon followed by a major fire at a scrapyard, releasing billowing smoke into the night. Local residents and the scrapyard owner reported the involvement of settlers, with the Israeli military intervening to halt further damage. The police are now conducting inquiries regarding the blaze.

The U.N. humanitarian office documented 29 incidences of settler violence in the West Bank from November 11 to 17, resulting in 11 injuries and damage to homes, vehicles, agricultural assets, and around 1,000 trees and saplings. Palestinian officials also affirmed the fatalities of two youths, aged 18 and 16, from Israeli fire during the same period, with details surrounding their deaths remaining ambiguous.

This increase in violence coincides with the annual Palestinian olive harvest, a time notorious for escalating tensions. Netanyahu labeled the offenders as “a handful of extremists” and urged law enforcement to take action against them. Nevertheless, rights organizations and Palestinian representatives assert that settler violence has turned into a frequent issue throughout the West Bank, far surpassing isolated incidents.

Huwara has previously been subject to violent acts, including a notable series in February 2023 when settlers attacked homes and vehicles after the killing of two settlers by a Palestinian assailant.

According to U.N. statistics, around 2,920 settler assaults have been recorded in the West Bank from January to October 2025. The current Israeli administration, influenced by far-right officials backing settlement expansion, has also sanctioned new settlement developments and seized land in areas of historical importance, including the Sebastia archaeological site.

International condemnation is rising, with Singapore issuing targeted financial penalties and travel restrictions on four Israeli settlers associated with violence against Palestinians. The individuals targeted include Meir Ettinger, Elisha Yered, Ben-Zion Gopstein, and Baruch Marzel. Singapore has called for accountability and urged Israel to put an end to settler aggression in the West Bank.

The Israeli security cabinet is anticipated to convene additional meetings to discuss new measures, including educational programs aimed at violent settlers, as regional tensions persist.

#Global #World