Record settler attacks in the West Bank have sparked concern and controversy, with rising tensions and a wave of violence that has left the region in turmoil. The recent assault on Hamida Mosque near Deir Istiya has become a symbol of the escalating conflict, as Jewish settlers send a chilling message of power and impunity. The attack, which occurred on Thursday, involved charred furniture, lecterns, and smoky carpets piled around the entrance, with the mosque's interior gutted and debris cleared in time for Friday prayers. Dozens of men arrived for the prayers, defiantly turning their backs towards the scorched wall.
The imam, Ahmad Salman, attributed the attack to Jewish settlers, emphasizing their message of dominance and threat. "They want to send a message that they can reach anywhere, into cities and villages, that they can kill civilians and burn houses and mosques," he said. "I feel it in my soul. It's not right to touch places of prayer, wherever they are."
The mosque's exterior wall bore a defiant message directed at Israel's regional military chief, Avi Bluth: "We're not afraid of you." The escalating settler attacks have prompted tough warnings from army leaders, arrests, and investigations, but hardline expansionist settlers enjoy government support, pushing the West Bank towards a dangerous confrontation.
The annual olive harvest, a time when Palestinians try to access their farmland, often marks a spike in violence. However, the attacks this year have broken UN records, with the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs registering over 260 settler attacks resulting in Palestinian casualties or property damage in October alone. Human rights groups report a rise in settler aggression towards Palestinians since the Gaza War began in 2023, with over 3,200 Palestinians forcibly displaced by settler violence and restrictions.
Recent attacks across the West Bank have included an assault by masked men on an industrial estate and Bedouin buildings near Beit Lid, where security cameras captured their actions. The army responded by stating that they later attacked Israeli soldiers operating nearby, and four suspects were arrested, though three have since been released. In the olive groves around Beita, a Reuters journalist, Raneen Sawafta, was beaten by a settler with a club while covering the olive harvest, and Hamad al-Jagoub abu Rabia, a volunteer with the Red Crescent, was injured after going to her aid.
The severity of these attacks has drawn international condemnation, with a video of Afaf Abu Alia's assault on a settler-controlled farmland near Abu Falah going viral. She described being beaten with a club while cowering on the ground, with 20 stitches in her head and bruises on her arms and legs. The Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din revealed that over 93% of police investigations into Israeli offenses against Palestinians in the West Bank are closed without charges, highlighting the impunity enjoyed by settlers.
The Israeli army's response to settler violence is a delicate matter, with military leaders ordering action while navigating discipline and potential divisions within the army. The growing proportion of settlers among troops adds complexity to the situation. Extremist settlers claim their land rights come from the Bible, but their confidence is bolstered by government support.
Since the Hamas attacks and the Gaza War, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has distributed over 100,000 weapons to civilian security squads, including in West Bank settlements, and has urged formal annexation of the West Bank. The government has authorized settlement expansion and legalized unauthorized outposts, despite their illegality under international law. The Defence Minister, Israel Katz, banned administrative detention for Jewish settlers, a power now sought by the army to curb violence.
The situation is further complicated by a legal and political scandal involving leaked video footage of Palestinian detainee abuse, pitting ultranationalist politicians against the country's security forces. As Israeli activists visit the Hamida Mosque to show solidarity, they highlight the reality of settler violence and the need for action. Martin Goldberg, originally from London, emphasizes the severity of the attacks, stating that they are not minor, and are supported by the government and local councils.
The West Bank's future hangs in the balance, with the international community watching closely. The region's residents, like Wadi abu Awad, a civil engineer in Turmus Aya, recognize the growing threat from settlers, who are pushing them towards a corner, risking a dangerous escalation.
