Israeli Lawmaker Accuses Settlers of 'Massacre' in Palestinian Village

Member of Knesset (MK) Gilad Kariv has sharply criticized Israeli settlers who entered the Palestinian village of Qusra, south of Nablus, labeling the incident "another massacre." Kariv, from the Democrats party, stated in Arabic that the settlers were "direct emissaries" of senior government officials. The incursion followed stone-throwing by Palestinians towards the settlers.

Kariv's statement, directed at the Arab public in Israel ahead of elections, described the settlers as "lawless rioters" who breached Palestinian homes despite a military order declaring the area a closed military zone. He condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement of condemnation as "worthless" and a "deception tactic."

According to Kariv, the attackers are "direct emissaries" of Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Kariv asserted that Netanyahu's goal is to "explode the situation in the West Bank on the eve of the elections," accusing the group of gambling with Israeli and Palestinian lives for political survival.

Kariv urged the opposition to unite against attempts to ignite the West Bank and to stop following Netanyahu's lead on the issue, emphasizing that "we must not allow this madness to continue."