Herzog Warns of Civil War Risk from Settler Violence, Urges Action

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz that escalating settler violence in the West Bank could lead to armed confrontations between settlers and Israeli security forces, potentially sparking a civil war. In a letter dated October 8, Herzog stated that Israel is "one step away from disaster" and called for the dismantling of groups responsible for the attacks, along with a broad arrest campaign including administrative detention.

The President's warning, also sent to National Security Council Head Shmuel Ben Ezra and later shared with senior military and legal officials, followed a September 30 visit to the West Bank Division headquarters. During the visit, Herzog received a briefing on recent events, including an incident in the village of Jaloud where soldiers nearly fired live ammunition at settlers, and a border police officer was nearly killed by a thrown rock.

Herzog described the ongoing settler actions, which include burning Palestinian homes, uprooting trees, and stealing livestock, as organized criminal activity rather than isolated incidents. He urged authorities to treat these groups as "criminal organizations" and warned that settlements themselves would suffer the consequences if the violence continues. He stressed that such "anarchy has no place in a sovereign state" and called for cooperation with settlement leaders to combat the perpetrators.

The President highlighted the difficult position of Israeli soldiers, who are often tasked with confronting violent settlers without adequate training or preparation, leading to complex operational and ethical dilemmas. He noted reports from soldiers, police, and Shin Bet agents about insufficient manpower and resources to effectively counter the violence and enforce the law.

Herzog called for an urgent, comprehensive plan to address settler violence, including deploying more forces, increasing investigations, and carrying out widespread arrests. He specifically requested the use of administrative detention and other legal and security tools, warning that a lack of enforcement and deterrence could lead to further escalation. He also proposed forming a joint inter-ministerial task force to address the issue from multiple angles and consult with legal authorities regarding lenient arrest and release procedures.

Furthermore, Herzog cautioned about the sensitive upcoming period, citing coinciding elections in Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and the US, along with the olive harvest season, as factors that could increase the likelihood of escalation. He warned that continued violence not only threatens security but also damages Israel's international standing, economy, and moral reputation due to attacks on innocent Palestinians.