Netanyahu orders crackdown after Jewish settler riots spark IDF manhunt in West Bank
PM condemns “extremist lawbreakers” as IDF hunts settlers accused of torching Palestinian homes and cars
Israel’s political and security chiefs have vowed a sweeping response after a wave of violent Jewish settler attacks on Palestinians triggered an unprecedented IDF manhunt across the West Bank.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he viewed the disturbances “with great severity”, warning that a “small, extremist group” had tried to take the law into its own hands. “They do not represent the residents of Judea and Samaria,” he said. “I call on law enforcement authorities to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law.”
Gideon Sa’ar, a former justice minister, went further, branding the perpetrators “Jewish rioters” who “disgrace Judaism and cause damage to the settlement project.” He added: “They are not us. They are not the State of Israel.”
The escalation began on Monday night after the IDF demolished illegal structures near Efrat. Dozens of Jewish Israelis then stormed the nearby Palestinian village of Jeba, setting fire to homes and vehicles. Security forces said they arrived to find property torched and at least four Palestinians injured.
In a rare move, the military confirmed it had launched “hot pursuit” of the suspects. “Security forces are searching for those involved, and the episode is still developing,” officials said, noting that such violence “diverts attention from defence and counterterrorism missions” and “harms security in the area”.
It follows another serious attack last week, when around 100 Jewish extremists vandalised trucks, farmland and a dairy facility near Beit Lid. Although several were briefly detained, only one remains in custody.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz said there would be “zero tolerance toward anyone who resorts to violence”, pledging full backing for the IDF and police. He described the perpetrators as “a small violent and criminal group of anarchist lawbreakers” who stain the reputation of the settlers” and “harm IDF soldiers”.
IDF figures show 85 settler attacks on Palestinians in the past quarter – more than triple the number recorded in the same period last year.
Senior security sources told Israeli media they require “more tools” to curb the surge. If arrests follow this week’s riot, it may mark a shift. If not, analysts warn, the wave of settler violence – and the state’s credibility in stopping it – will remain unchanged.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
