President Herzog Warns Netanyahu of Catastrophe Amid Rising Settler Violence

By Итамар Айхнер

Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba

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President Isaac Herzog warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials that Israel is "one step away from catastrophe" due to rising nationalist crime and violence by settlers in Judea and Samaria. The President's letter, dated October 8, detailed incidents of vandalism and attacks against Palestinians, warning that escalating confrontations could lead to civil war. Herzog called for an urgent plan to combat this crime, including increased investigations and administrative arrests, to prevent a national disaster.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

President Isaac Herzog warned Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel is "one step away from catastrophe" due to settler violence.
Herzog cited potential use of firearms against Israelis or fatal attacks on security forces as risks.
The President described a continuous wave of violence and vandalism against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.
An incident in Jalud village nearly led to security forces using firearms against Israelis, Herzog wrote.
He demanded an urgent plan to combat nationalist crime and called for administrative arrests.
The letter was sent October 8 and recently circulated among senior IDF officers.

President Isaac Herzog has issued a grave warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and the head of the National Security Council regarding the escalating danger posed by nationalist crime in Judea and Samaria. In a letter dated October 8, and recently circulated among senior IDF officers, Herzog stated, "I feel a deep and urgent obligation to warn you about the situation I have encountered, as we are one step away from catastrophe." He expressed concern that the potential use of firearms against Israelis or fatal attacks on security forces could lead to civil war.

The President's warning follows a visit to the IDF's Judea and Samaria division, where he was briefed on the operational situation and spoke with commanders and soldiers. He specifically referenced an incident in the Palestinian village of Jalud on September 29, where Jewish offenders prevented the army from carrying out its duties. Herzog described a continuous wave of violence and vandalism against Palestinians, including arson, tree destruction, stone-throwing, and livestock theft, creating an atmosphere of lawlessness that threatens the state's sovereignty and legal foundations.

Herzog highlighted the difficult situations faced by IDF soldiers, who are increasingly confronting Israeli citizens, raising risks and moral dilemmas. He emphasized that security forces were close to using live ammunition against Israelis or suffering casualties themselves during the Jalud incident, a scenario he believes could have ignited civil war. The President acknowledged the professionalism of the soldiers and security personnel but noted that personnel shortages hinder effective responses to dangerous developments.

Given the upcoming elections in Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and the US, along with the olive harvest season, Herzog anticipated particularly challenging weeks ahead. He demanded an urgent plan to combat nationalist crime in Judea and Samaria, including extensive investigations and a return to administrative arrests, reiterating that failure to maintain order could result in disaster. Herzog concluded by stressing the national and governmental responsibility to act swiftly.

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