Israeli Settlers Use Sheep to Displace Palestinians, CBS '60 Minutes' Reports

A "60 Minutes" investigation broadcast Sunday night claims that some Israeli settlers in the West Bank are using sheep as a tool to displace Palestinians from their homes. The report, filmed in the West Bank, highlighted the sheep farms of "Hilltop Youth," a group of young settlers. According to the report, these settlers drive their sheep into Palestinian communities, allowing the animals to graze on vegetation around homes, and then claim ownership of the land.

One Palestinian resident, Wahid Marsouk, a teacher from the village of Al-Mughayyer, described how settlers would enter homes and release sheep to eat the surrounding trees. Madaraki Minster, a farm owner featured in the report, stated that his flock is "guided" into Palestinian villages. He explained that this practice is a way to mark territory, asserting "This is how to mark, 'Here I graze my sheep. You don't bring your sheep here. You don't plant here. You don't build here.'"

Minster also addressed the issue of settler violence, acknowledging that "there are certainly young people who react excessively, behave like bullies, and need restraint and boundaries." However, he maintained that "nothing changes the fact that our right to be here is legal and ancient." When questioned by journalists about settler violence being labeled "terrorism" by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Hammer, Minster distanced himself from the term but reiterated the settlers' perceived right to the land.

The "60 Minutes" segment, produced by Lesley Stahl, also documented violent clashes between settlers and Palestinians. In one instance, Stahl's team filmed settlers surrounding a Palestinian while an IDF officer directed the camera crew away from the area. The report also featured the Faraj family, who claim settlers set up a tent on their property in March, acting as if they owned the land and attempting to force residents out by stealing electricity and water.

The investigation comes weeks before Israeli elections, with the report noting the potential impact of U.S. midterm elections on military aid to Israel. Minster expressed concern about America potentially turning away from Israel, fearing the loss of a key ally, but stated Israel would find other allies. The report cited IDF data showing a sharp rise in nationalist crime, from 352 incidents in 2019 to 1,072 in 2023. Despite this increase, data from the organization "Yesh Din" indicates a lack of enforcement, with 96% of cases from last year closed without indictments.