'Jewish terrorists': Pro-Israel columnist Bret Stephens speaks against West Bank settler violence

Bret Stephens, a prominent New York Times columnist typically known for defending Israel, has sharply criticized settler violence in the West Bank, labeling the perpetrators as "Jewish terrorists." In a recent column, Stephens expressed his concern that these unchecked attacks pose a direct threat not only to Palestinian lives and property and Jewish ethics but also to Israel's fundamental security and statehood, and thus to Zionism itself.

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That’s not only because the terrorism is a menace to Palestinian lives and property, or an affront to Jewish ethics, or a stain on Israel’s reputation - though it’s all those things. It’s also a direct threat to Israel’s security and statehood, and thus to Zionism itself.

Stephens's commentary draws heavily on a public letter sent to U.S. President Donald Trump by Matan Vilnai, a retired IDF deputy chief of staff, on behalf of Commanders for Israel's Security. The letter highlighted that while Israeli security forces are effective against Palestinian terror groups, they are hampered in curbing Jewish extremists. Vilnai warned that escalating violence in the West Bank, if not swiftly addressed, could ignite the region and have severe ramifications for Israeli security and U.S. interests.

The columnist pointed to recent rampages by extremist settlers through Palestinian villages, including arson attacks, as evidence that the problem has become routine. He cited Israeli military figures showing a significant increase in nationalistic and settler-related crimes in 2025 compared to the previous year. Furthermore, Stephens noted that the government has reportedly declined to place suspected Jewish settlers under administrative detention, a practice regularly used against suspected Palestinian terrorists.

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Unless arrested swiftly and decisively, escalating violence in the West Bank is poised to ignite the region and carries severe ramifications for both Israeli security and US regional interests.

Stephens dismissed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's characterization of the violence as the work of a small number of "juvenile delinquents." He argued that a government capable of conducting operations deep inside Iran should be able to rein in a few hundred vigilantes. Stephens's strong stance signals a significant internal critique within circles that typically support Israel, emphasizing the potential long-term damage such violence could inflict on the nation's security and identity.

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The government has specifically declined to place suspected Jewish settlers under administrative detention.