Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to personally address violence by a "handful of extremists" among West Bank settlers after clashes during the demolition of the illegal Tzur Misgavi outpost and a later arson attack on the Palestinian village of Jab'a. At least 10 prefabricated homes were demolished at the outpost and authorities say dozens of civilians torched homes and vehicles in Jab'a. Political leaders condemned the attacks, while the UN reports October saw a record 264 settler attacks in the West Bank since 2006, with few perpetrators held accountable.
Netanyahu Vows Crackdown on 'Extremist' West Bank Settlers After Outpost Clash and Arson
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to personally address violence by a "handful of extremists" among West Bank settlers after clashes during the demolition of the illegal Tzur Misgavi outpost and a later arson attack on the Palestinian village of Jab'a. At least 10 prefabricated homes were demolished at the outpost and authorities say dozens of civilians torched homes and vehicles in Jab'a. Political leaders condemned the attacks, while the UN reports October saw a record 264 settler attacks in the West Bank since 2006, with few perpetrators held accountable.
04:04 AM, 11/18/2025Conflict
Netanyahu pledges action after outpost demolition and village arson
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to personally confront a "handful of extremists" among West Bank settlers after violent clashes during the demolition of an illegal outpost and a subsequent arson attack on a nearby Palestinian village.
On Monday morning, hundreds of Israeli security personnel were deployed to evacuate and dismantle the illegal settler outpost of Tzur Misgavi in the Gush Etzion area, near the Palestinian town of Sair. Forces used tear gas and stun grenades as they clashed with members of the so‑called Hilltop Youth movement, who oppose the removal of outposts and seek to establish settlements without government approval. Protesters climbed onto a digger and stood atop structures while a bulldozer pushed into one of the prefabricated units.
At least 10 prefabricated homes were demolished; afterwards women carrying young children were seen sitting amid the rubble. Hours later, Israeli authorities said dozens of civilians set fire to and vandalised homes and vehicles in the nearby Palestinian village of Jab'a, about 30 kilometres southwest of Jerusalem. The military and police were dispatched to search for those involved.
"I view with great severity the violent riots and the attempt by a handful of extremists to take the law into their own hands," Netanyahu said. "I call on the law enforcement authorities to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law. I intend to deal with this personally, and convene the relevant ministers as soon as possible to address this serious phenomenon."
Political figures across Israel condemned the attacks. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the incident "another stage in the escalating violence." Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the "Jewish rioters" were harming Israel and "shaming Judaism," while Defence Minister Israel Katz denounced them as "criminal anarchists" and vowed to both uphold the law and continue settlement development. Israel's military chief, Eyal Zamir, recently pledged to halt settler violence after a string of attacks targeting Palestinians.
The United Nations reported that October was the worst month for West Bank settler violence since it began recording incidents in 2006, documenting 264 attacks that caused casualties or property damage. Rights groups and UN monitors say almost none of the perpetrators have been held to account by Israeli authorities.
Since the Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing Gaza war in October 2023, the Palestinian health ministry reports at least 1,006 Palestinians — including militants — have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers. Israeli officials report 43 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the West Bank during the same period. More than 500,000 Israelis now live in settlements across the West Bank alongside roughly three million Palestinians.
Context: Most international bodies regard Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory as illegal under international law. Under Israeli law, outposts are also prohibited, though some have later been retroactively legalised by authorities.