Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque and vandalized it in a Palestinian village in the central West Bank overnight, leaving behind hateful messages as an act of defiance. The mosque in the Palestinian town of Deir Istiya had one wall, three copies of the Qur’an, and some carpeting torched during the incident. Graffiti on the mosque walls included messages like “we are not afraid,” “we will revenge again,” and “keep on condemning,” with references to Maj. Gen Avi Bluth, who had condemned the violence the day before.
The Israeli military sent troops to investigate the scene but did not identify any suspects, transferring the case to Israeli police and security agencies. This incident is part of a series of attacks that have drawn concern from top officials, military leaders, and the Trump administration.
Israeli authorities have tried to downplay settler violence as the actions of a few extremists, while Palestinians and rights groups claim it is widespread and carried out with impunity by settlers across the territory. The surge in violence has not been commented on by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The recent condemnation came after a bold attack on Palestinian villages by masked Israeli settlers, resulting in arrests and injuries. Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the attacks as “shocking and serious,” emphasizing the need for decisive action from all state authorities to combat such violence.
Israeli officials, including the army’s chief of staff, condemned the violence and pledged to stop criminal acts committed by settlers, which they deemed contrary to Israeli values. Settler violence has a long history, with instances of attacks on the same mosque in previous years.
Palestinians believe the violence aims to displace them from their lands, with a rising number of displaced individuals due to settler violence. Settlers, emboldened by the government, have expanded beyond existing settlements to establish new outposts, encroaching on Palestinian territories. Critics accuse the Israeli army and police of failing to prevent settler attacks, citing a low rate of indictments and convictions for settler violence cases.
This recent incident adds to the ongoing tension in the West Bank, highlighting the challenges faced by Palestinians living in the region due to settler violence and land disputes.
