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Netanyahu says '150 juvenile delinquents' drive West Bank vigilante actions

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that vigilante actions in the West Bank are driven by a small group of "juvenile delinquents," not the broader settler community.
  • The comments followed an incident where US Congressman Ro Khanna reported being detained by armed settlers during a visit.
  • Netanyahu emphasized Israel's commitment to the rule of law, asserting that those who break the law will be brought to justice.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has characterized vigilante actions in the West Bank as the work of a small faction, distinguishing them from the majority of the settler community. "99% [of the settler community] are law-abiding citizens. They work. They serve in the army and so on," Netanyahu stated in a recent interview.

99% [of the settler community] are law-abiding citizens. They work. They serve in the army and so on.

— Benjamin NetanyahuDescribing the majority of settlers in the West Bank during an interview.

His remarks came after US Congressman Ro Khanna reported being detained by armed settlers during his visit to the West Bank. Khanna described the incident, stating that his group's van was surrounded by settlers wielding M4 rifles while touring Khirbet Zanuta. He claimed the settlers blocked the road and called the IDF, alleging the military sided with them.

We were just looking at it, and these hoodlums come in with machine guns – M4, an American-made machine gun – and they detain us. They block off the road. And then they call the IDF and the IDF is on their side, not on the side of the Americans.

— Ro KhannaRecounting his experience of being detained by settlers in the West Bank.

However, IDF sources disputed Khanna's account, suggesting that senior officials were not dispatched as the situation was quickly resolved. They clarified that IDF soldiers dispersed the Israeli civilians and reopened the road, asserting that the soldiers did not participate in blocking it or side with the settlers.

Israel, unlike our neighbors, is a democracy is a democracy of law, and we act against those who break the law.

— Benjamin NetanyahuAsserting Israel's legal framework and its actions against lawbreakers.

Netanyahu reiterated Israel's stance as a democracy governed by laws. "Israel, unlike our neighbors, is a democracy is a democracy of law, and we act against those who break the law," he said. He affirmed his government's commitment to ensuring that individuals engaging in vigilantism are held accountable under the law, stating, "I didn't want vigilantes of any kind" and that his government was "working to put them under the law."

I didn't want vigilantes of any kind and that his government was working to put them under the law.

— Benjamin NetanyahuStating his government's position on vigilante activities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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