Minister Struk Clashes With Shin Bet Chief Over West Bank Violence

A heated exchange occurred during a meeting of the political-security cabinet between Minister of Settlement Affairs Orit Struk and Shin Bet Director David Zini, concerning violence in the West Bank. Minister Struk accused the security establishment of presenting a biased picture, claiming that Palestinians are attacking shepherds and endangering their lives, while the security forces focus disproportionately on Jewish settlers.

Shin Bet Director Zini countered Struk's assertions, stating that Palestinians are not burning Jewish homes and that the minister is "disconnected" from reality. He emphasized the need for condemnation of violence from all leadership, arguing that such acts harm both settlement and security.

Struk insisted that the leadership of the settlement movement, including council heads and rabbis, has publicly condemned violence. She stated she has also spoken out against it on various media platforms. Zini, however, questioned where her condemnations were heard, to which Struk replied they were broadcast on "Galei Tzahal" and "Reshet Bet."

The confrontation took place against the backdrop of a Palestinian attacker attempting to set a vehicle on fire and threatening residents with a knife near Hanania Farm in the Benjamin region. Residents neutralized the suspect, with one other attacker reportedly escaping. No residents were harmed in the incident.