DayofPal—The West Bank has seen a dramatic surge in settler attacks against Palestinian communities, during the course of war, fueled by an unchecked reign of terror that targets farmers, herders, and families.
In villages like Taybeh, a Christian-majority community of about 1,300 people, residents face daily threats from armed settlers who act with impunity, often under the protection of Israeli soldiers.
Taybeh’s struggles are not unique. October is olive harvest season, but Palestinian farmers across the West Bank are increasingly unable to access their land without the risk of assault, theft, or worse.
In Taybeh, a 64-year-old Bedouin man, Youssef Moussa, shared his harrowing experience when a settler militia attacked his home, leaving him unconscious and severely injured.
His wife was also beaten, and valuables, including 85 sheep, gold jewelry, and nearly $10,000 in cash, were stolen.
Even more disturbing, when Moussa was taken to the hospital, the Israeli army blocked access for the ambulance to enter the village.
Across the West Bank, settlers continue to raid Palestinian villages with no consequences. In recent days, several attacks have been reported in areas like Turmus Ayya, near Ramallah, where settlers, backed by Israeli forces, assaulted Palestinian farmers and international volunteers during the olive harvest.
Similar incidents have occurred in villages near Nablus, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, where settlers steal crops, burn vehicles, and terrorize civilians.
The attack is part of a larger and more organized campaign supported by the Israeli government, particularly by far-right figures like Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s Finance Minister and a staunch advocate for the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
Smotrich, a self-described fascist, has been instrumental in advancing plans to annex large parts of the West Bank, a move that would effectively erase the possibility of a two-state solution and displace even more Palestinian communities.
Smotrich’s actions have escalated tensions and emboldened settler militias, who continue to operate with near-total impunity. If Palestinians defend themselves, they face the wrath of the Israeli army.
When they seek justice, their complaints are often ignored. Smotrich’s vision of territorial annexation, which aims to seize 82% of the West Bank and cut off East Jerusalem, is already unfolding on the ground.
The attack has reached alarming levels, with Israeli soldiers often standing by or even aiding the settlers. In Taybeh, settler groups have targeted the village’s historic landmarks, including an ancient church, while residents live in fear of further destruction.
Despite international calls for accountability, including a visit by US former ambassador Mike Huckabee and several US lawmakers, the attack shows no sign of abating.
Israeli human rights organizations, such as B’Tselem, have condemned the violence as part of a deliberate policy of forced displacement aimed at eradicating Palestinian communities from the West Bank.
They warn that this constitutes a grave violation of international law and amounts to a war crime under international humanitarian law.
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