Record settler violence in West Bank since Gaza war

Since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel war on October 7, 2023, violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank has surged, with a report from the International Crisis Group (ICG) documenting 1,246 attacks resulting in 21 Palestinian deaths and 643 injuries. The report highlights that nearly 23,000 Palestinian-owned trees have been destroyed, reflecting a broader pattern of aggression that has intensified since the formation of a far-right Israeli government in December 2022. This government has been accused of enabling settler violence through its policies and rhetoric. The ICG emphasizes that the ongoing military operations in Gaza have diverted attention from the escalating violence in the West Bank, where settlers feel emboldened to retaliate against Palestinians. The report notes that the violence includes a range of actions from verbal harassment to severe physical assaults and property destruction. Additionally, settlers have seized thousands of acres of land, displacing over 1,300 Palestinians in the past year. The report also points out that the increase in settler violence coincides with the expansion of Israeli settlements, which are deemed illegal under international law. Approximately 230,000 Israeli settlers reside in occupied East Jerusalem, with around 500,000 in the West Bank, where there are 300 settlements. The ICG calls for more robust international action, urging Western countries to target not only individual settlers but also the governmental policies that support settlement expansion. In light of these developments, the ICG advocates for a reevaluation of international responses to settler violence, suggesting that sanctions should extend to government officials who endorse such actions. The report underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the systemic violence and its implications for peace in the region.