While the world’s attention is focused on Gaza and related conflicts involving Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iranian militias, and Iran itself, a surge in violence in the West Bank has largely gone unnoticed. Even the killing of an American citizen in early July and the attack on a CNN crew member visiting the victim’s family—both perpetrated by violent West Bank settlers—failed to highlight the increasingly volatile situation, fueled by a combination of concerning factors.
Despite President Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on settlers, which sent a negative message, a series of developments on the ground have contributed to the rise in West Bank violence: Israeli extremists seizing an opportunity, their leaders using government influence to provide support, the IDF turning a blind eye, and growing frustration among Palestinian youth.
Overshadowing these events are two prominent figures from the annexationist minority in Israel, who have been entrusted by Prime Minister Netanyahu with key portfolios related to West Bank policies since late 2022.
One of them, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who identifies as a Jewish Supremacist, heads the national police force. Since assuming office, he has implemented a “hands off” approach towards Jewish settler terrorists, loosened gun ownership requirements, and launched a campaign to arm Israelis, prioritizing West Bank settlers.
The other, Bezalel Smotrich, leverages his positions as finance minister and minister within the defense ministry to advance his goals: rapid expansion of Jewish settlements, increased pressure on Palestinians to leave, and financial crippling of the Palestinian Authority to force its collapse.
Defense Minister Israel Katz further exacerbated the situation on Nov. 22, 2024, by removing administrative detention as a tool for the Shin Bet (Israel’s Internal Security Agency) when dealing with Jewish detainees. Because settlers often refuse to cooperate with investigators, and evidence obtained secretly is inadmissible in court, administrative detention has been critical in combating terrorism.
Empowered by their leaders’ high-ranking positions, extremist settlers, now organized and armed, have taken advantage of the focus on Gaza.
As a result, incidents of armed settlers attacking Palestinian villages have sharply increased over the past three years, with a surge during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Another contributing factor is the IDF. Stretched thin and preoccupied with multiple challenges, lower-ranking commanders in the West Bank are often reluctant to confront violent settlers due to the support they receive from senior government officials.
Finally, West Bank Palestinians, facing constant harassment by settlers, feel abandoned by both the IDF and the financially struggling Palestinian Authority. The constant suffering of Gazans adds to this volatile mix. With no prospect of a better future, especially independence, young Palestinians are increasingly joining militant groups or forming their own, resorting to armed resistance, mirroring a path their elders now regret.
Thus, Israeli extremists and radicalized Palestinians fuel each other’s actions, using them to justify violence, resulting in innocent deaths, property destruction, and the risk of a major conflict.
“Terrorism is terrorism, regardless of religion, race, or gender,” stated a recent letter to Israel’s Minister of Defense from Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS), a group of retired generals and diplomats. The letter warned of the dangerous consequences of “organized Jewish groups…setting the area ablaze” and urged the mobilization of resources to apprehend, investigate, and swiftly bring terrorists to justice.
While even the murder of an American citizen had little impact, recent attacks by settlers on IDF soldiers may prove to be a turning point.
Even those who previously ignored the violence when Palestinians were the victims, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, now acknowledge that such behavior is unacceptable. Netanyahu stated, “No civilized country can tolerate violent and anarchic acts of burning a military facility, damaging IDF property and attacking security personnel by citizens of the country.”
In contrast, opposition leader Yair Lapid described the events as the work of “Jewish terrorists, gangs of criminals, who feel backed by the (governing) coalition.”
Whether this wake-up call leads to effective measures to end Jewish terrorism, which is as reprehensible as any other form of terrorism, remains to be seen. Such violence undermines Israel’s security and legitimacy. However, failure to take action will likely result in the Gaza-ification of the West Bank, with devastating consequences for both Israelis and Palestinians and further destabilizing effects beyond the region.
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