The Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, has sounded the alarm on the escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, asserting that it is causing “indescribable damage” to Israel and drastically altering its identity. Bar’s letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as reported by Channel 12 News, specifically called out National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for his provocative actions at the Al-Aqsa mosque, warning of potential bloodshed.
Bar highlighted the concerning trend of widespread settler violence armed with state-distributed weapons, which he deemed as tantamount to terrorism. He criticized the government’s lax approach and clandestine support of extremist groups like Hilltop Youth, underscoring the urgent need for leadership to address the root of the problem before irreversible damage occurs.
Ben Gvir’s defiant actions drew criticism from Gallant, who supported Bar’s stance, emphasizing the detrimental impact of such behavior on national security and unity. Despite occasional condemnations, Israeli settlements in the West Bank continue to violate international law, fueling a cycle of violence exacerbating tensions in the region.
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