Israel Must Reassert Control Over West Bank Violence

President Yitzhak Herzog visited the Judea and Samaria Division headquarters on Wednesday, publicly condemning violence by Jewish groups in the region. There is broad consensus that this phenomenon now threatens Israel's standing internationally and not just the settlements in Judea and Samaria. A sovereign state must hold a monopoly on the use of force, and Israel must now reclaim full control over the area. Questions are being raised about the effectiveness of the IDF's efforts to quell the violence, despite orders from the Prime Minister to the Central Command. While the Central Command and its officers, from the commander down to brigade leaders, are determined to eradicate the phenomenon and have reported quantitative achievements recently, the incident in the village of Jalud earlier this week, where only two out of approximately 150 rioters were arrested, suggests operational shortcomings.

The article draws parallels to the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, suggesting a similar approach is needed. During the disengagement, responsibilities were divided, with one division focusing on Palestinian threats and another, alongside the police, concentrating solely on confronting settlers. For the current challenge, a dedicated force under a division commander, with significant resources and close cooperation between the IDF and police, is deemed essential for success.

The roots of the rioters' worldview are linked to national traumas, particularly the disengagement. Young activists feel a sense of humiliation from the forced evacuations, believing that stronger resistance then could have prevented it. Deeper historical echoes also emerge, reminiscent of the 1936-1939 events, when right-wing factions advocated for active response and revenge against the prevailing policy of restraint. Figures like the poet Uri Zvi Greenberg criticized the leadership's approach, advocating for a more forceful response.

The situation is complex, with much of the public, including settlers, not fully grasping the nuances. While left-wing activists oppose the settlement enterprise entirely, the right-wing public supports the young people in the outposts but struggles to differentiate between those supporting coordinated settlement efforts and violent fringe groups. The article stresses that the state has a duty to reassert sovereign control and allocate the necessary resources to manage the situation effectively.