Israeli officials accuse government of West Bank ‘ethnic cleansing’

More than 200 prominent former Israeli military, security, and political figures have accused the government of Benjamin Netanyahu of complicity in the ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Palestinians in the West Bank. Former high-ranking officials, including retired Brigadier General Ephraim Sneh and former Army Chief of Staff Eyal Ben-Reuven, have expressed grave concerns regarding settler violence and the displacement of Palestinian communities.

Ben-Reuven characterized the violence from settlers as a greater threat to Israel than Iran, Gaza, or Lebanon. Reports from the West Bank and Jordan Valley describe Palestinian farmers and families being forced from their homes, lands, and grazing areas due to repeated attacks, theft, and the establishment of new settler outposts.

In a separate but related development, a group of 235 former Dutch officials, diplomats, and administrators—including Job Cohen and Ahmed Aboutaleb—has issued an urgent letter calling for stricter measures against Israel. The signatories urge the Dutch government to implement a full arms embargo and suspend the EU-Israel trade agreement, citing ongoing violations of international law and the systematic weakening of the Palestinian Authority.