Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuy issued a rare condemnation of settler violence in the West Bank on Saturday, calling attacks in the Palestinian villages of Qusra and Jalud “criminal” and urging authorities to arrest those responsible.
“I strongly condemn the criminal acts of violence committed in the villages of Qusra and Jalud,” Netanyahu said in a statement, calling the attackers “a handful of rioters who are violating the law”.
He said the attacks “harm Israel’s international standing” and interfered with the military’s operations in the West Bank.
The condemnation came after multiple Palestinians were reportedly injured on Saturday in attacks by Israeli settlers across the West Bank.
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers raided Qusra, injuring several Palestinians in the latest wave of settler violence, according to reports.
In nearby Jalud, settlers attacked a Palestinian family and foreign journalists, vandalising their vehicle and physically assaulting crew members, according to activist Bashar al-Qaryouti.
More than half a million Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, which Israel occupied in 1967, alongside about 3.4 million Palestinians, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs documented more than 1 330 settler attacks causing Palestinian casualties or property damage across the occupied West Bank from the start of 2026 to late July, an average of more than six incidents a day.
According to the Palestinian Liberation Organisation’s Commission against the Wall and Settlements, Israeli forces and settlers carried out 2 256 attacks against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank in July alone.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned settler violence in the Palestinian villages of Qusra and Jalud, describing the attacks as "criminal acts of violence."
- Dozens of masked Israeli settlers raided Qusra, injuring several Palestinians, and attacked a Palestinian family and foreign journalists in Jalud, damaging property and assaulting crew members.
- Netanyahu urged authorities to arrest those responsible, stating the attacks harm Israel's international standing and disrupt military operations in the West Bank.
- Over half a million Israeli settlers live in the West Bank alongside approximately 3.4 million Palestinians, a territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
- The UN documented more than 1,330 settler attacks causing Palestinian casualties or property damage from early 2026 to late July, while the Palestinian Liberation Organisation reported 2,256 such attacks in July alone.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
"I strongly condemn the criminal acts of violence committed in the villages of Qusra and Jalud,"
He said the attacks "harm Israel's international standing" and interfered with the military's operations in the West
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers raided Qusra, injuring several Palestinians in the latest wave of settler violence, according to reports.
In nearby Jalud, settlers attacked a Palestinian family and foreign journalists, vandalising their vehicle and physically assaulting crew members, according to activist
More than half a million Israeli settlers live in the West
