European leaders demand Israel halt controversial E1 settlement project in West Bank

The Israeli military, hailed as one of the most formidable forces in the Middle East, has struggled to evict a group of settlers from an area in the occupied West Bank for over a week. This inaction has drawn international and domestic condemnation, including from the United States, which has requested action from its ally. Despite the deployment of troops, condemnation of the besieged Palestinians, and the dismantling of settlers' tents, little was done to force the settlers out.

Some of the first soldiers to arrive at the scene were even seen praying with the settlers. The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, is home to over 500,000 Israelis living in settlements illegal under international law, and over three million Palestinians. The military's inability to enforce the law on violent settlers while allowing them to engage in such behavior has been attributed to government backing for the settlement movement and the influence of settler ideology within the army.

The commander of the West Bank military, Major General Avi Bluth, attended a pre-military academy in a settlement, further blurring the lines between settlers and soldiers. Recent months have seen a surge in settler violence against Palestinians, with perpetrators often facing no repercussions. The military has allowed armed and mobilized settlers to keep their firearms and uniforms, enabling them to participate in attacks.

The issue of settler violence is unlikely to be addressed soon, even with Israel's Defence Minister calling for the police to take over law enforcement in the West Bank.