Settlers Vandalize West Bank Village, Threaten Top Security Officials

Settlers entered the Palestinian village of Deir Nizam, northwest of Ramallah, overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, setting a vehicle on fire and spray-painting hate graffiti. The vandalism included direct threats against Shin Bet chief David Zini and Central Region Commander Major General Avi Bluth. One message read, "Evacuations equal chaos. Avi Bluth, be warned." Another alluded to Zini's consideration of reinstating administrative detention orders for Palestinians.

This incident follows a joint security assessment held yesterday involving Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Police Inspector General Dany Levy, and Shin Bet head David Zini. The meeting focused on heightened security measures for the upcoming sensitive period, including preparations for elections, and concerns that Jewish terrorism could ignite the region. Zamir reportedly stated, "We cannot continue like this. I cannot place a soldier on every meter."

Earlier this week, a sharp confrontation was revealed between Minister of Settlement Affairs Orit Struk and Shin Bet head Zini during a cabinet meeting. Struk accused Zini of portraying Palestinians favorably while demonizing settlers. Zini responded that she was "disconnected" from reality. New details from that discussion emerged, where Zini warned of potentially reinstating administrative arrests in the West Bank.

During the cabinet discussion, Struk highlighted Palestinian attacks on shepherds, while Zini countered that Palestinians were not burning Jewish homes and that all leadership needed to condemn such acts, stating it harms settlement and security. Struk insisted she condemned such actions regularly. Zamir proposed forming a task force to address settler violence, to which Zini responded that government decisions were not being implemented. When a minister questioned this, suggesting arrests for offenses, Zini reiterated his concern about administrative detention. Minister Avi Dichter stated, "We must call a spade a spade. Stop using euphemisms. This is Jewish terrorism."