How did the West Bank situation get even worse? - analysis

The Israeli defense establishment has reached a new low in its struggle to control violent Jewish extremists operating in the West Bank, a trend that has been worsening since 2023. This escalating issue is fueled by a rise in Palestinian terrorism, which began in March 2022, and the political influence of Itamar Ben-Gvir, who took charge of the police in January 2023.

What was once primarily "price tag" vandalism has transformed into widespread violence and dangerous arsons. Mass Jewish attacks on Palestinian towns, such as the infamous incident in Huwara in February 2023, have become disturbingly frequent. These are no longer isolated acts by a few individuals but involve large groups of dozens, sometimes up to 100 people. By 2025-2026, these mass attacks have become so common they no longer shock observers.

While Palestinian terrorists have historically killed more Israelis in the West Bank, and their thwarted plots tend to be more lethal, the gap in fatalities between the two sides has narrowed. Furthermore, Jewish extremists have increasingly directed violence against IDF soldiers, an issue that has become far more common than in previous years. The defense establishment's struggle to remove illegal structures built by Jewish extremists from Palestinian-controlled land highlights this ongoing challenge.

IDF sources reported on Wednesday morning that illegal structures had been removed, but they could not confirm when the extremists themselves would be fully cleared from the area, with forces remaining present. The article notes the bizarre situation where dozens of activists can cause significant disruption, harassing local Palestinians. Given the frequency of violent incidents involving Jewish extremists, such trespassers are viewed with suspicion. The failure to arrest nearly all perpetrators, despite clear video evidence of their actions, including throwing rocks at IDF soldiers attempting evacuations, underscores the complexity and severity of the situation.