politics
February 2, 2026
‘I call it self-defense’: Jewish terror surges as Palestinian attacks decline
Growing Jewish extremist attacks in the West Bank are testing the boundaries between law enforcement and political influence in Israel
TL;DR
- Jewish extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has seen a significant increase, with a more than 50% rise in serious incidents in 2025 compared to the previous year.
- The number of 'nationalist crimes,' including stone-throwing and intimidation, has also risen substantially.
- While the Prime Minister described perpetrators as "70 boys from broken families," military intelligence estimates around 300 individuals, largely from the 'hilltop youth' movement, are involved.
- Violence is concentrated in areas like Gush Etzion and the Judea region, with most acts originating from illegal outposts.
- There is a debate within Israel's security establishment on whether to classify these attacks as terrorism or unlawful responses to insecurity, with some viewing it as self-defense.
- Palestinian terror attacks have decreased, but attempts to carry them out have actually increased, highlighting the effectiveness of Israel's counter-terrorism against Palestinian militancy.
- The Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, devotes most resources to combating Palestinian terror, while a small unit handles Jewish extremism, leading to concerns about an unequal focus.
- Some argue that implicit political backing from figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir contributes to the rise of Jewish extremist groups, while others reject claims of political pressure on the Shin Bet.
- Israel faces challenges in combating the international perception of these events, with difficulties competing against what is described as state-sponsored propaganda.
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