Israeli settler violence surges in West Bank amid arson attacks; forces demolish unauthorized outpost
Israeli settler violence has surged across the occupied West Bank, involving arson attacks on Palestinian homes and vehicles, even as Israeli forces demolished an unauthorized outpost Monday.
November 18, 2025 - 09:53 AM ET • 2 min read
Violence attributed to Israeli settlers has surged across the occupied West Bank in recent days, including arson attacks on Palestinian property and assaults on farmers attempting to harvest olives.
The increase in incidents comes as Israeli security forces carried out the relatively infrequent demolition of an unauthorized settler outpost Monday, leading to clashes.
On Monday, dozens of settlers reportedly rampaged through the village of al-Jaba, located southwest of Bethlehem, torching three Palestinian homes, one shack, and three vehicles, according to Dhyab Masha'la, the head of the local council. Locals managed to extinguish the flames, and no casualties were reported, though the attackers caused extensive damage. Earlier Monday, settlers reportedly set fire to a home and two vehicles in a separate incident, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
The violence has intensified as Palestinian farmers attempt to complete the olive harvest season in the face of harassment. Early Sunday, settlers vandalized cars on the outskirts of Sinjil and raided farmland near the village of Mughayyir, according to local reports. On Saturday, a farmer was assaulted and his crops damaged by settlers in the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus. An attack last week on Beit Lid, near Tulkarm, injured several Palestinians.
An Israeli activist who has worked in the West Bank for decades stated that settlers are currently "operating with total impunity."
Separately, Israeli security forces evacuated and demolished the unauthorized settlement of Tzur Misgavi, located near Gush Etzion, around Jerusalem, on Monday. The outpost housed approximately 20 families. The operation, which followed authorization from Israeli authorities, resulted in confrontations with residents opposing the demolition. During the clashes, one police officer was injured after being struck in the face by a stone. Israeli forces had previously established checkpoints and roadblocks leading to the site ahead of the demolition.