Settler Violence Is Consuming the West Bank
The Israeli government is facing mounting pressure to get the situation under control.
Foreign Policy's Situation Report notes the escalating violence in the West Bank, as settlers clash with Israeli forces and the Israeli government faces intense global criticism. The surge in settler attacks stems from Israel's expansion of illegal settlements, which far-right politicians such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have championed.
Since the start of the year, an average of 6.6 settler-related incidents per day have resulted in casualties or property damage, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The UN warns that 2026 has seen the highest rate of settler violence on record. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been under pressure to respond more strongly to the violence, particularly from the United States.
However, the administration has largely avoided direct criticism, even as the situation has escalated. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir recently warned that rising settler violence could "ignite" a wider escalation.
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