Nationalism Threatens Israeli Institutions, INSS Urges Reforms

A new report from Israel's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) warns that rising Jewish extremist violence, including attacks on soldiers and police, is dangerously eroding state institutions. The report, prepared by the "From Conflict to Resolution" research group, highlights a significant increase in nationalist crime and "Jewish terrorism," posing a multi-layered threat to security, governance, and Israel's international standing.

Data from the first half of 2026 indicates 660 incidents of nationalist crime, a 63% rise from the second half of 2025 and 50% higher than the same period last year. These incidents resulted in 140 Palestinian Arabs being victimized, with six fatalities. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes an average of six such incidents daily. Particularly concerning is the 36% increase in attacks targeting Israeli soldiers and police, reaching 45 incidents including stone-throwing, physical altercations, and road blockades. High-ranking officers in the Central Command report that up to 80% of some brigade logs are related to radical settler offenses, forcing the army to cancel planned arrests of Palestinian suspects due to the need to respond to these internal incidents.

The report also points to systemic failures in the justice system, with approximately 94% of ideologically motivated offense investigations closed without charges between 2005 and 2025, and only about 3% leading to convictions. Major General Avi Bluth, commander of the Central Command, stated that such violence is fueled by broad public support. Researchers attribute the crisis to a combination of weak law enforcement, inadequate judicial responses, and a lack of political backing for security forces, suggesting a permissive policy from the highest levels.

To address the situation, INSS experts are calling for deep reforms, including the evacuation of illegal outposts and the strict subordination of settlement defense units to state authority.