Israel must confront terror, settler violence with equal resolve - editorial

Violence in the West Bank is escalating in multiple directions, with Palestinian terror attacks claiming two Israeli lives and extremist Israeli settlers targeting Palestinian villages. The latest incident involved settlers torching a mosque in Kusra, spray-painting "revenge for Benayahu" on its entrance in retaliation for the death of Benayahu Melet.

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All violence demands an uncompromising response

These events, while not morally equivalent, demand an uncompromising response from Israeli authorities. The circumstances surrounding Friday's deadly clashes remain unclear, but terrorism cannot be justified. The editorial questions whether stronger enforcement against repeated lawlessness in the West Bank could have prevented the violence.

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Terrorism cannot and will never be tolerated or justified.

Israel has a moral and legal obligation to prevent extremist settlers from carrying out "price tag" attacks. These crimes damage Israel's international standing and put both law-abiding Israelis and security forces at greater risk. The frequency of these attacks suggests perpetrators do not fear arrest or prosecution.

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But it is equally legitimate to ask whether stronger enforcement against repeated lawlessness in the West Bank could have prevented the violence from escalating.

In response to the recent clashes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered an intensified crackdown. However, military operations alone are insufficient. Restoring security requires a serious commitment to confronting Jewish extremist violence alongside Palestinian terrorism, an area where Israel's political leadership has been too reluctant to act.

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Israel has both a moral obligation and a legal responsibility to prevent extremist settlers from carrying out price tag attacks.