Former Israeli Military Leaders Urge Strong Action Against Right-Wing Violence in West Bank

A group of former senior Israeli military officers, including Colonel (res.) Hanokh Dauba, sent an unusual letter to the IDF Chief of Staff condemning recent events in the West Bank village of Kusra. Dauba criticized the IDF's handling of right-wing settler violence, stating it causes internal damage to the military and the state. He emphasized that the Central Command's role is to ensure the security of all residents in its area, which includes approximately 2.5 million Palestinians and 540,000 Israeli Jewish citizens, but accused the military of failing to do so.

Dauba highlighted that over the past two years, there has been a systematic and increasingly severe restriction on Palestinian life in the region. He called on the IDF to act decisively against violent actions by right-wing activists in Judea and Samaria to prevent further harm to the military's integrity and Israeli society. The letter reflects growing concern among former military leaders about the impact of settler violence and the IDF's response in the West Bank.

The letter was publicized following recent violent incidents in Kusra, where right-wing activists reportedly harassed Palestinian residents. The former officers' appeal underscores tensions in the West Bank and the challenges faced by the IDF in balancing security and civil order in a complex environment.