Israeli soldiers petition against West Bank settler violence

More than 300 Israeli reserve soldiers have signed a petition addressed to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, demanding that the military take decisive action to stop what they term ‘Jewish terrorism’ in the occupied West Bank. The soldiers warned that settler attacks against Palestinians are endangering military personnel and accused leadership of failing to provide the necessary authority and tools to prevent violence before it occurs.

The petition highlights that soldiers are frequently sent to manage ‘friction incidents’ without a clear mandate to separate Israelis from Palestinians, leading to injuries and deaths among troops. Signatories noted that the lack of clear guidance and the perceived political support for certain settlers are undermining the military’s reputation.

In a separate development, Israeli forces conducted raids across several West Bank cities, including Qalqilya, Jenin, Tulkarm, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus. These operations resulted in the arrest of 13 Palestinians, including relatives of martyrs and released prisoners. The raids, which involved live fire in some instances, are part of ongoing daily arrest campaigns in the region.