West Bank Council Leaders Condemn Settler Siege on Palestinian Village Kosra and Call for Stronger Israeli Action

Shai Alon, head of the Beit El council in the West Bank, sharply criticized the siege imposed by settlers on the Palestinian village of Kosra, describing it as causing "irreparable damage" to Israel and the settlements in Judea and Samaria. In an interview with ynet, Alon also addressed U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Herzog's rare comment labeling the involved settlers as "Jewish terrorists," calling it a sign of a serious problem. Alon attributed responsibility to the political leadership, specifically mentioning areas under the influence of Limor Son, Har Megiddo, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, accusing them of insufficiently curbing extremist youth.

Alon warned that the damage to Israel is severe and irreversible, emphasizing that the state has failed to adequately address the issue, which he traced back to gaps in education and welfare. He refrained from blaming Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich directly, instead pointing to enforcement failures within the Israeli police, which he said "understand the spirit of the commander" but do not act decisively enough. He praised the IDF's efforts and local authorities in Judea and Samaria for combating these "abnormal phenomena," which involve a small number of lost youth.

Regarding the possibility of reinstating administrative orders against Jewish rioters, Alon said such measures could help but are not a complete solution, especially given the involvement of minors as young as 14 or 15. He condemned reserve soldiers who prayed with the rioters, stating that anyone wearing a uniform who participates in such acts should immediately be discharged from reserve duty.

Israel Gantz, head of the Binyamin council and chairman of the Yesha Council, also condemned the events in Kosra as serious and unacceptable, rejecting private decisions to establish outposts on private property or illegal homes. He warned against using these incidents to campaign against the settlements but stressed that the violence is intolerable. Gantz called on the Israeli government to annul the Oslo Accords and enable legitimate, regulated Jewish settlement throughout the open territories.

Both leaders called for firm Israeli government action to eradicate these violent settler activities and protect innocent populations and security forces.