Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly condemned recent violence carried out by a “handful of extremists” among settlers in the occupied West Bank, stressing that they do not represent the broader settler community.
The condemnation followed an attack on the Palestinian village of Jabaa, near Bethlehem, which sparked outrage across Israel and among international observers. Netanyahu declared in an official statement:
“I take very seriously the violent disturbances incited by a handful of extremists who do not represent the settlers in Judea and Samaria, and who attempt to take the law into their own hands.”
The incident was also criticized by opposition leader Yair Lapid, who called it “yet another step in escalating violence by violent criminals, whom it is time to confront with the utmost severity.”
According to the Israeli army, dozens of Israeli civilians reportedly attacked homes and vehicles in Jabaa, prompting military intervention to arrest suspects and restore order. The violence is believed to be a reaction to the Israeli forces’ recent demolition and evacuation of a Jewish settlement outpost at Gur Misgav, part of the Gush Etzion settlement bloc south of Jerusalem. Hundreds of police and soldiers reportedly used bulldozers, tear gas, and stun grenades during the operation.
Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to address the issue personally, stating he would summon the relevant ministers to tackle this serious phenomenon as a priority.
The escalating tensions in the West Bank underscore the fragile security situation in the region, where clashes between settlers, Palestinians, and Israeli forces continue to generate widespread concern.
