Escalating Violence and the Divisions It Sparks in Israel

Sat Nov 15 2025 02:06:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Record settler attacks in the West Bank ignite controversy and tension within Israeli society, reflecting a growing divide on the issue of violence and human rights.

In the occupied West Bank, an alarming rise in settler violence has drawn sharp reactions from Israeli military leaders and human rights groups. The UN reports record numbers of attacks, with serious implications for the political landscape in Israel, highlighting a disturbing rift between supporters of hardline settlers and those advocating for Palestinian rights. As the situation escalates, discussions about military responses and government support for settlers have sparked intense debates within Israeli society.

The marks of the attack on Hamida Mosque, near Deir Istiya in the occupied West Bank, are still scattered on the ground outside. Charred furniture, lecterns and smoky curls of carpet are piled around the entrance—its guts emptied for Friday prayers. Dozens of men arrived for the prayers in a show of defiance—turning their backs on the scorched wall.

Imam Ahmad Salman told the BBC the attack was a message from Jewish settlers in a wave of violence sweeping across the West Bank. 'They want to send a message that they can reach anywhere—into cities, into villages,' he lamented, highlighting the distressing trend of violence against places of worship.

Amidst spiraling violence, noted more than 260 settler attacks leading to Palestinian casualties or property damage were recorded in October alone, according to UN figures. The current climate points to not just rising aggression but also growing militarization and a deepening divide within Israeli society, raising concerns about a potentially dangerous confrontation.

Returning to the Imam's words, he added, 'It's not right to touch places of prayer, wherever they are.' Yet, the graffiti on the mosque's wall mockingly confronts Israel's military chief, signaling a bold stance against perceived government inadequacies in confronting settler violence.

Security challenges, critiques of military response, and contrasting narratives between settlers and their critics underline the complexities of the ongoing conflict. Settlers, buoyed by political backing, often deflect criticisms by downplaying acts of violence as isolated incidents, further complicating reconciliation attempts in the region.

As violence intensifies, the regional response will not only challenge military authority but may also reshape the political landscape in Israel, where the dichotomy of support and opposition to settler actions leaves communities at odds.