Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are shocked after Israeli settlers ravaged a village overnight, killing a 23-year-old man and wounding several others, the latest incident of deadly violence against Palestinians in the territory.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said on Friday that Mahmoud Abdel Qader Sadda was fatally shot in the attack on Jit in the northern West Bank, about 10 kilometers west of Nablus.
According to witness accounts and video footage of the attack, dozens of masked Israeli settlers entered the village, opened fire on residents, set fire to cars and destroyed houses and other property.
The attack came amid an increase in violence by the Israeli military and settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, taking place in the shadow of Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip.
According to the latest figures from the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since the Gaza war began on October 7 and August 12.
Human rights groups also criticize Israel for allowing its forces and settlers to exercise “endogenous impunity” in their attacks on Palestinians.
The attack on Jit sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinians and foreign politicians, including those from countries that continue to support Israel militarily and diplomatically in the Gaza war.
Here are some of the reactions:
Palestinian Authority
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as an act of “organized state terrorism.”
“We call for the imposition of deterrent sanctions against the racist colonial system, the destruction of terrorist settler militias and the prosecution of their members,” it said in a statement.
Hamas
The Palestinian faction that governs Gaza sent its condolences to the man killed in Jit.
In a statement, Hamas said the attack was part of Israel’s “fascist annihilation plans.”
“We call on our people in all West Bank governorates to rise up in anger to deter the settlers and repel their terrorist attacks,” the group said.
Israel’s “policy of incursions, assassinations and unleashing of settler gangs will only strengthen our people’s attachment to their land and their holy sites.”
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it viewed the “unrest that took place in Jit” “with the utmost seriousness. This included attacks on persons and property by Israelis who entered the village.”
“It is the (Israeli army) and the security forces that fight terrorism, and no one else. Those responsible for any crime will be arrested and brought to justice,” the statement said.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also condemned the violence and attributed it to “radical individuals.”
While our troops are fighting on the front lines defending the State of Israel, a group of radical individuals have started an uprising and attacked innocent people. They do not represent the values of the communities living in Samaria.
I strongly condemn any form of …
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) 15 August 2024
United States
A spokesman for the US National Security Council said that “attacks by violent settlers on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank are unacceptable and must stop.”
“The Israeli authorities must take action to protect all communities from harm. This includes intervening to stop this violence and holding all perpetrators of this violence accountable,” the spokesman said, according to US media reports.
US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew added in a social media post that Israeli settler attacks “must stop and the criminals must be held accountable.”
I am appalled by yesterday’s violent attack by settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank. These attacks must stop and the criminals must be held accountable.
— Ambassador Jack Lew (@USAmbIsrael) 16 August 2024
European Union
Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, said the attack in Jit was “aimed at terrorising Palestinian civilians”.
“Day after day, Israeli settlers fuel violence in the occupied West Bank with near-total impunity and help endanger any chance for peace,” he wrote on social media, calling on Israel to “immediately stop these unacceptable actions.”
We condemn the attacks by settlers in Jit, whose aim is to terrorise the Palestinian civilian population.
Day after day, Israeli settlers fuel violence in the occupied West Bank with almost no punishment, thereby contributing to jeopardising any chance of peace. 1/2
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) 16 August 2024
United Kingdom
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms”.
“The images of buildings burning and being set on fire at night, of Molotov cocktails thrown at cars, of widespread rioters and of people being driven from their homes are abhorrent,” he told journalists in Jerusalem together with his French counterpart.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu has said there will be a swift investigation. I hope that this investigation can ensure that those involved in this settler violence in the last 24 hours are brought to justice.”
France
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said “any action that would destabilize the negotiating efforts” – especially those aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip – was “unacceptable.”
“We are very vigilant and attentive and condemn this situation,” he said, pointing out that France had imposed sanctions against “violent settlers” earlier this year.
United Nations
Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN human rights office, said the violence in Jit was “not an isolated attack”.
“It is the direct result of Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank. We have reported in recent years that settlers attack Palestinian communities on their land in the West Bank with impunity,” Shamdasani told reporters.
“And here lies the crux of the matter: the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of these serious violations.”
She added that there were “reports of Israeli security forces standing idly by during the attacks” and reports of “weapons being distributed to the settlers.”
“There is clearly a state responsibility in this regard.”
UN Special Rapporteur
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, said sanctions must be imposed against Israel following the settler attack.
“The time to act came decades ago: since it has not been done, it is now time,” she wrote on X.
“Settler violence against #Palestineins is attributable to the state #Israel and its central and local governments”.
Thus #Sanctions must be imposed on the State of Israel, not just on individual settlers/settlement products.
The time to act had come decades ago: Since it was not done, … https://t.co/4vpcFYeB65— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories (@FranceskAlbs) 16 August 2024
Peace now
The Israeli group described the settlers’ rampage in Jit as a “pogrom.”
“This is pure settler terrorism – supported by the state, encouraged by our government,” Peace Now said on X.
