IDF officers tell Trump: 'Settler violence' claims ignore West Bank terrorism -exclusive

A group representing thousands of retired Israeli military officers and security professionals has directly challenged allegations of widespread violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. In a letter to US President Donald Trump, the Israel's Defense and Security Forum (IDSF) rejected claims made by a rival organization, Commanders for Israel's Security (CIS).

IDSF chairman Brig.-Gen. (res.) Erez Winner accused CIS of presenting a distorted picture. While condemning all violence and lawbreaking by any side, the IDSF argued that the phrase "settler violence" has become a political campaign. They contend it unfairly portrays over half a million Israeli residents of the West Bank as collectively responsible for the actions of a small extremist fringe.

The IDSF letter further claimed that international bodies and Israeli human-rights groups inflate statistics. They stated that incidents are classified as violence even when involving routine security procedures or nonviolent civilian activity, such as security checks or visits to the Temple Mount. The organization also asserted that more than half of complaints submitted by activist groups in areas of Israeli-Palestinian friction were later found to be deliberately false, though the letter did not provide supporting documentation.

As an example, the IDSF cited a February 2026 fire at a Palestinian-owned sheep pen. Initially blamed on Israeli settlers, a subsequent police investigation reportedly concluded the blaze was caused by an illegal electrical connection installed by the Palestinian owner. The IDSF believes such initial allegations contribute to a biased narrative.

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We condemn all violence and any violation of the law from any side, and demand firm police action in every individual case.