Netanyahu Condemns Settler Violence Against Security Forces, Ignores Attacks on Palestinians

Israeli political officials on Tuesday condemned settler violence against the Palestinian village of Jaloud in the occupied West Bank, which occurred the previous night. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu focused his condemnation solely on settlers attacking Israeli security forces, describing them as "rioters" who obstruct the army's counter-terrorism operations. Netanyahu notably avoided using the term "terrorism" to describe settler attacks on Palestinians.

Netanyahu stated, "I strongly condemn the violent riots last night in Samaria and the targeting of security forces who arrived at the scene to maintain law and order." He reiterated that the attackers were "a handful of rioters who do not represent the settler public that upholds the law in Judea and Samaria, and they do great injustice to them and hinder our forces from carrying out their duties." He expressed support for Israeli soldiers and border guards working to thwart terrorism and maintain security, calling on law enforcement to "exhaust the law severely against the rioters."

President Isaac Herzog called the violence "extremely serious" and stated it should be dealt with "with the full legal severity," calling it a "disgrace and an affront to the rule of law and our most basic values as a people and a state." He added that arson, stone-throwing, and attacking soldiers are "completely forbidden and cannot have any justification, especially during Sukkot." Herzog emphasized that such violence deeply contradicts Jewish values and urged legal authorities to act firmly.

Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar acknowledged the riots in Jaloud, which included property arson and injuries to border guards, claiming an investigation against "terrorist settlers" had begun. However, the article suggests security agencies often do not prevent or investigate such attacks, viewing them as a tool for expelling Palestinians. National Unity Party leader Gadi Eisenkot described the events as "disgusting" and "a campaign of terror and violence," asserting it was not ethical or Jewish and harmed both settlers and the security apparatus. He blamed the current government's "dangerous policy of igniting the region" for the chaos and danger to security forces.

Former IDF chief and Democratic Party leader Yair Golan accused the Netanyahu-Smotrich-Ben Gvir government of "playing with fire," stating that "innocent citizens and Israeli soldiers will pay the price." He argued that the violence in Judea and Samaria does not occur in a vacuum and that the government is responsible for bloodshed when it creates an atmosphere of impunity and encourages extremists.