2. Crack Down on Jewish Extremism and Terrorism

In the first six months of 2022, there were 247 documented incidents of violence by Israeli civilians against Palestinians in the West Bank. These offenses encompassing attacks on people and property, including so-called “price tag attacks,” have previously involved racist graffiti, arson, destruction of Palestinian automobiles, and even assault and murder. Settlers have also physically confronted and attacked Israeli security forces in the West Bank during tense situations such as the evacuation of illegal outposts.

Radical settlers pose a serious threat to Palestinians and to their fellow Israelis in the West Bank. Despite this, the Israeli government is often far more lenient in its response to Jewish extremists than it is with comparable Palestinian offenders. The Israeli government must take serious steps to confront homegrown terrorism in West Bank settlements. This will require a willingness to address the settlers’ political advocates in the Knesset, who have sometimes argued for a softer approach to Jewish militants.