A settler attack on the West Bank village of Jalud has injured three Israel Border Police officers, drawing rare rebuke from Israeli leaders. The incident occurred as the military attempted to escort a Palestinian family back to their home, which had been displaced by settler attacks two months prior. The family, accompanied by an army vehicle in front and another behind, was attacked by settlers upon arrival.
The Israeli military reported that over 100 Israeli rioters were in the area of Jalud overnight, and soldiers and border police tried to disperse them. The clashes resulted in the injury of three Israel Border Police officers and damage to a security forces vehicle. One person was arrested, and two minors were taken in for questioning. The settlers had blocked roads, set tires on fire, and thrown rocks at security forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, blaming a "small group of rioters" for causing harm to the community and interfering with Israeli forces' mission. President Isaac Herzog, in a rare display of criticism, called the attack "a moral stain, an assault on the rule of law and our most fundamental values as a people and a nation". Such criticism is uncommon for attacks where Palestinians are the victims.
The settler attack on Jalud is part of a larger trend of increasing violence in the West Bank. Settler attacks against Palestinians, including beatings, vandalism, and arson, have averaged six per day in the first half of the year, according to the United Nations. Recent weeks have also seen high-profile attacks against Israelis in the West Bank, including the shooting death of a settler by a Palestinian.
The incident in Jalud prevented the return of the Palestinian family, who had been displaced following several incidents of nationalist crime against them. Mahmoud al-Toubasi, a member of the family, reported that they had left their house over two months ago and that it had been occupied by settlers until the attack on Tuesday.
In a separate attack on Tuesday, dozens of settlers raided the Palestinian village of al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, resulting in at least five burnt-out cars. The village is a frequent target due to its isolated location and the presence of several settlement outposts. Additionally, settlers gathered in the town of Beitunia near Ramallah to hold a prayer for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot using loudspeakers.
The violence in the West Bank has increased since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, resulting in at least 1,111 Palestinian deaths, including both militants and civilians, according to an AFP tally. Israeli figures show at least 49 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations during the same period.
Key points
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the settler attack on Jalud.
- The incident injured three Israel Border Police officers and damaged a security forces vehicle.
- Violence in the West Bank has increased since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.
