The United States on Tuesday condemned what it described as “criminal acts of violence” in the West Bank after more than 100 Israeli settlers attacked Jalud village south of Nablus, setting fire to Palestinian buildings, vehicles and property. Washington called for investigations and judicial action against those responsible.
A US State Department spokesman, responding to a question about the attack, said his country condemned criminal acts of violence committed by any party in the West Bank. He affirmed Washington’s support for appropriate investigations and judicial action to hold those responsible accountable.
Jalud attack and burning of property
Settlers attacked Jalud village early on Tuesday, setting fire to several buildings, vehicles and properties, including two homes belonging to the al-Tubasi family, according to local sources. The Israeli army said settlers had set fire to Palestinian property inside the village, and that more than 100 settlers had blocked roads, burned tyres and thrown stones at its forces.
Local sources said the attack caused panic among Jalud residents, who tried to confront the attackers before a large Israeli army force arrived in the area. The sources accused the forces of failing to stop the attack and of providing protection to the settlers, adding that they sent military reinforcements and forced members of the al-Tubasi family to evacuate their home again at gunpoint.
The attack came as Israeli authorities continued to close the West Bank on the fourth day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, alongside incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. During the holiday period, attacks and closures increased, while curfews were imposed on residents of Palestinian neighbourhoods.
Settler attacks intensify in the West Bank
Settlers carried out 14 attacks in different parts of the West Bank on Tuesday, injuring at least four Palestinians. The incidents included assaults on people and property, the burning of homes and cars, and attacks on farmland.
In al-Mughayyir village in the central West Bank, an Israeli army force raided the village and arrested a Palestinian as he passed through a military checkpoint set up at its entrance, according to reports by official media and eyewitnesses. The village has faced heightened military measures since Tuesday afternoon, including searches and the detention of several Palestinians at the entrance.
The measures coincided with settler attacks on residents’ land and gunfire directed at Palestinians. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the Israeli army set up a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Mughayyir, detained citizens and questioned passers-by about their organisational affiliations, amid fears that those detained could be assaulted.
The agency added that an Israeli force entered the village from the west as an armed Israeli settler fired live ammunition towards Palestinians, with no injuries reported. Earlier, in the early hours of Tuesday, settlers had attacked homes and property inside the village as Israeli army forces entered and arrested a young man.
The al-Mughayyir attack targeted three homes, including the home of resident Mousa Abu Aliya. The attackers also set fire to the home of prisoner Fikri Mousa Abu Aliya. Settlers burned six vehicles; three were partially burned, while the other three were completely destroyed by fire.
Attacks attributed to settlers in the West Bank include killing and assaulting Palestinians, demolishing homes and structures, burning mosques and cars, and bulldozing farmland. They also include preventing farmers from reaching their land, displacing Palestinian residents and expanding settlements on their land.
Israeli opposition criticism of the government
The events in Jalud drew criticism inside Israel, as opposition leaders warned on Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was “playing with fire” by encouraging what they called extremists who attack Palestinians and their property in the West Bank, and accused it of spreading chaos. Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats party, said: “The innocent civilians and Israeli army soldiers will pay a heavy price for this.”
He added that violence in the West Bank did not occur in isolation from the wider reality, saying the government bore responsibility for bloodshed when it created an atmosphere of chaos and encouraged extremists to inflame divisions. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party, said on the X platform: “The dangerous acts that took place in Jalud are despicable acts and I condemn them in the strongest terms.”
He described the campaign of intimidation and violence, including stone-throwing, arson and assaults, as immoral and contrary to Jewish values. Eisenkot added that these practices undermined the security of all residents and obstructed the work of the security establishment, saying they reflected a state of chaos and loss of control that had reached unprecedented levels under the current government.
Casualties and arrests since the war began
Most Israeli opposition criticism of settler violence focuses on its impact on Israel’s image, amid a near-consensus in Israel in support of settlements in Palestinian territories. Mutual accusations between opposition parties and the governing coalition are increasing as the general election scheduled for 27 October next approaches.
Since Netanyahu’s government was formed in late 2022, it has provided broad support to settlers and announced approval for the establishment of 104 new settlements, while 160 agricultural settlement outposts were established in the West Bank.
