Israeli Government Accused of Enabling Settler Violence and Undermining Law

A recent weekend in the West Bank saw a series of violent incidents, including an attack on American-Israeli photographer Heidi Levine, an assault on a European diplomatic delegation, and numerous attacks on Palestinian farmers. These events highlight a growing security, political, and economic threat to Israel, stemming from ideological legitimization of violence, insufficient government action to curb it, and inadequate law enforcement. The article cites a report detailing 365 documented incidents and 77 cases related to violence and the expansion of illegal outposts, which are drawing international pressure, including personal sanctions and trade restrictions.

On October 16, dozens of Jewish assailants attacked Palestinian farmers and their escorts near Ramallah, injuring Levine, a veteran photographer for The Washington Post, who required surgery for fractures. The attackers also set olive trees on fire. The following day, a delegation of diplomats from France, Belgium, and Poland was attacked near the Palestinian village of al-Taybeh, with their vehicle damaged. These incidents occurred amidst a controversial religious ruling by senior Rabbi Dov Lior, which permits Jews to harvest olives from Palestinian lands, arguing that the land is considered stolen from Jews. This ruling contradicts previous halachic decisions prohibiting such actions and has drawn scrutiny from Israeli authorities for potential incitement.

The government's response to these attacks has been criticized as insufficient. The Prime Minister's office initially stated that the facts surrounding Levine's attack were unclear, despite photographic evidence. Similarly, after the diplomats were attacked, the Prime Minister's office emphasized that the delegation had entered a sensitive area without prior coordination, shifting blame rather than condemning the attackers. The article argues that this lack of decisive condemnation and accountability emboldens perpetrators and undermines the rule of law, noting that arrests are rare in such cases unless foreign nationals are involved.

Data from the Institute for National Security Studies indicates a significant rise in nationalist violence by Israelis in the West Bank, with over 90% of ideological crime cases against Palestinians being closed without indictments. Organizations like Yesh Din report an average of over seven violent incidents per day by settlers since late September, targeting Palestinians, journalists, and foreign observers. The article also points to the role of government ministers, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in promoting settlement expansion, which is seen as creating more friction points for violence. Additionally, former Defense Minister Israel Katz's decisions to halt administrative detention orders against Israelis suspected of terrorism are cited as hindering the security system's ability to combat such violence.

The escalating settler violence is also impacting Israel's foreign relations. While criticism regarding the Gaza conflict is debated, international condemnation of the situation in the West Bank is widespread. The attacks on Levine and the European diplomats have turned the violence into a diplomatic incident, prompting strong reactions from the US and European countries. The European Union and other nations have imposed personal sanctions on individuals and organizations involved in settlement construction and violence, with discussions ongoing about broader trade restrictions on products from settlements. These measures could have severe economic consequences for Israel, potentially impacting its trade agreements and financial stability.