Surge in Jewish Terrorism in the West Bank: Condemnation without Punishment

Violence by Israeli extremist settlers against Palestinian residents in the occupied West Bank has reached levels unprecedented since the war with Iran began. Several NGOs and opposition figures have condemned the atmosphere of impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators.

Although the phenomenon known as Jewish terrorism has drawn widespread condemnation both domestically in Israel and internationally, very few concrete actions have been taken to curb it. These attacks have persisted for years, often ignored by Israel’s mainstream society.

The recent surge in violence has prompted criticism from influential rabbis, settler leaders, and the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. Zamir described the attacks as morally and ethically unacceptable.

Reem Cohen, a researcher at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), stated there has been a significant increase in Jewish terrorism actions since the war with Iran began. “The Israeli government and security forces are not responding with firmness,” Cohen wrote in her report.

One controversial policy was taken by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz while in office in 2024, namely cancelling administrative detention for Israeli suspects committing acts of violence in the West Bank, while the policy remains in place for Palestinian residents.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Currently, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements deemed illegal by the UN, amid around three million Palestinians. Settlement construction has accelerated rapidly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes far-right extremist parties.

Cohen mentioned that the violence has now become a daily occurrence, with “ideological support from certain government members,” referring to far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Yair Golan, chairman of the left-leaning Democratic Party, even accused the government of “supporting Jewish terrorism” and endangering Israel’s security.

Radical settler groups known as Hilltop Youth carry out a policy of price tag (price label), namely random revenge attacks against Palestinian residents. Israeli media Yedioth Ahronoth dubbed them hilltop barbarians for frequently burning Palestinian homes, uprooting olive trees, and killing livestock.

Since 7 October, settlers have established more than 175 farms and outposts in the West Bank with tacit approval from Israeli authorities. Although illegal under Israeli law, these outposts are intended to create facts on the ground and often receive protection from the military. (AFP/I-2)