What’s driving Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank?

A violent West Bank settler attack on a Palestinian village has drawn attention to a new generation of hardline radicals in the occupied territory. Known as the Hilltop Youth, this loosely connected movement of young, mostly school dropouts, is inspired by religious-nationalist ideology and seeks to expand Jewish presence in Palestinian lands through unauthorised outposts.

The group, which has carried out over 600 attacks in 158 villages over the past year, wounding 409 Palestinians and burning 436 cars, is rarely prosecuted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the attacks as the work of a few juvenile delinquents, while Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967 and currently houses more than 500,000 settlers.

The movement gained momentum after Israel dismantled settlements in Gaza and the West Bank in 2005, leading to the loss of homes for thousands of Israelis and resentment toward the central government. The new generation focuses on building small illegal outposts and agricultural projects, allowing them to control rural areas under Israeli military authority.

With growing legitimisation and financial support from politicians and private donors, the communities have been emboldened. Israeli troops, often reservists who are settlers themselves, are less likely to dismantle illegal outposts, leaving the militants with more freedom to operate.