Israeli Settlers Burn Mosque and Write Racist Slogans in the West Bank
The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said Israeli settlers attacked a mosque in the occupied West Bank, partially setting it ablaze.
“The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs condemns the attempt by a group of settlers to burn part of the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in the village of Tell, near Nablus, and the writing of racist slogans on its walls,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday (23/2/2026).
The ministry noted an increase in attacks on mosques in the West Bank. In 2025, there were 45 attacks on mosques in the territory.
“The partial burning of the mosque clearly demonstrates the barbarism reached by Israel’s racist incitement machine against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Palestine,” the ministry said.
AFP journalists at the scene reported that the mosque’s carpets had been burned, the front door was damaged, and walls and windows were blackened by fire. There was no structural damage as the fire did not spread throughout the building.
The Israeli military said in a statement to AFP that army and police forces had been dispatched to the location. Israel said there were no injuries in the incident.
“Forces were dispatched to the Tell area after receiving reports and footage received following the incident regarding suspects who burned the mosque and sprayed graffiti,” the Israeli military said.
“No injuries were reported,” Israel added, noting that forces were searching for the suspects.
The governor of the Nablus district, which includes Tell, Ghassan Daghlas, condemned the attack in a video posted on social media.
“They burn the mosque, and we are the ones who rebuild it. This is our land, the land of Palestine,” Daghlas said, while holding a water hose to clear debris at the site.
More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
Approximately three million Palestinians live in the territory, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967.
Israel’s current government, regarded as one of the most right-wing in the country’s history, has accelerated settlement expansion and recognised several outposts.