Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in a Palestinian village in the central West Bank, vandalizing it with hateful messages as an act of defiance following condemnation of a recent attack on Palestinians by some Israeli leaders. The mosque in the town of Deir Istiya had a wall, three copies of the Qur’an, and carpeting torched by the settlers. Graffiti on the mosque walls included messages like “we are not afraid” and “keep on condemning,” referencing Maj. Gen Avi Bluth, who had denounced the violence.
The Israeli military deployed troops to investigate the incident but had not identified any suspects. The case was transferred to Israeli police and security agencies for further action. This incident is part of a series of attacks that have raised concerns among top officials, military leaders, and the Trump administration.
Israeli officials have downplayed settler violence as the actions of a few extremists, while Palestinians and rights groups argue that the violence is widespread and condoned by the Israeli government, particularly led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has not addressed the surge in violence.
Recent denunciations stem from a brazen attack where masked Israeli settlers set fire to property in Palestinian villages before clashing with soldiers. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the army’s chief of staff condemned the violence, emphasizing that such acts go against Israeli values.
Settler violence has been escalating for decades, with instances of mosque vandalism dating back to 2012. Palestinians accuse settlers of aiming to displace them from their lands, with many being displaced due to violence and restrictions. Netanyahu’s government has emboldened settlers to expand beyond existing settlements, establishing new outposts that encroach on Palestinian territories.
Critics accuse the Israeli army and police of failing to stop settler attacks, citing low prosecution rates for settler violence cases. The government, influenced by far-right supporters of the settler movement, has faced criticism for its handling of such incidents.