Jewish settler violence in Judea & Samaria – Riots in 2 Palestinian villages, 8 Israeli suspects arrested

After violence erupted in Judea and Samaria on Tuesday night, during which two Border Police officers were injured by Israeli settlers, the Israel Police and Shin Bet security agency announced the arrest of eight suspects. 

The suspects, all members of a Jewish settler movement, were arrested for rioting and assaulting both Israeli security forces and Palestinians during enforcement actions against illegal settler construction in Samaria, the IDF reported. 

Israel Border Police and the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) conducted enforcement activities against illegal construction near the Palestinian village of Beit Furik.

After the dismantling of the illegal site, Israeli citizens entered Beit Furik, “set fire to property in the area and threw stones at the village,” the military stated. The illegal settlement had been built on private Palestinian land. 

In the nearby village of Huwara, another violent disturbance occurred, during which Israeli citizens hurled stones and set property on fire. According to Yesh Din ["There is Justice"], an organization that opposes illegal settler activity, two vehicles and a house belonging to a family of seven were set on fire. 

בעקבות הריסת המבנים הלא חוקיים ליד שכם, עשרות מתנחלים הציתו מבנים וכלי רכב בחווארה ובבית פוריכ@ndvori pic.twitter.com/ny2szaw5Fy

— החדשות - N12 (@N12News) December 4, 2024

On the outskirts of the village of Rujeib, a town near Nablus, approximately 20 settlers gathered in apparent preparation for another attack. A confrontation erupted between the settlers and IDF and Border Police forces upon their arrival.

On Wednesday morning, the police and Shin Bet announced the opening of an investigation into the events in Beit Furik and Huwara, stating that the eight suspects had been arrested for attacking security forces personnel, disturbances, and causing property damage. 

The IDF spokesman said, “The incidents were dispersed and a number of Israelis were detained and transferred to the security forces for further treatment. The IDF views with great severity any violence against its servants and security forces, who work night and day for the security of the citizens of the area. These incidents must be condemned and violators of the law brought to justice.” 

Also on Wednesday, the IDF reported enforcement actions on three structures that were illegally built on private Palestinian land near Nablus. The structures were evacuated "also due to numerous criminal incidents originating from the area, which were directed against Palestinians, incidents that had the potential to ignite the region.” 

One of the evacuated structures was used as a house of rabbinic study. According to the IDF, "Those staying in the location were asked to evacuate in advance, out of respect for the sanctity of the place," and "the forces operating in the area were instructed to act with sensitivity and to protect the sacred items in the structure."

Settler violence has been an issue of increasing concern for the IDF in Judea and Samaria since the start of the Gaza War. Meanwhile, several coalition members have demanded that the IDF and Border Police focus more on Palestinian violence than on attacks by settlers.