Rising Jewish nationalist violence in the West Bank is damaging Israeli society, eroding the rule of law, and diverting security forces from fighting Palestinian terrorism, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) said in a report describing the phenomenon as a strategic threat to Israel.
Security establishment data cited in the report showed 660 incidents of nationalist crime in the first half of 2026, up 63% from 405 incidents in the second half of 2025 and 50% from the corresponding period last year. Six Palestinians were killed and 140 injured in acts of Jewish terrorism. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported an average of 6 settler attacks causing casualties or property damage per day.
Violence against Israeli security personnel also increased. Settlers carried out 45 attacks against soldiers and police officers in the first half of 2026, approximately 36% more than the 33 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. Incidents included stone-throwing, physical confrontations, road blockades, and slashing tires on military vehicles.
Central Command officers have reported that Jewish nationalist crime accounts for as many as 80% of log entries in certain brigades. Deploying forces to handle those confrontations has forced the military to cancel planned arrests of wanted Palestinian suspects.
Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, commander of the IDF Central Command, has said the violence “does not occur in a vacuum and is fueled by public support.” The report said inadequate political backing for the IDF, Shin Bet, and police has weakened their ability to combat the phenomenon.
Enforcement has resulted in few convictions. Approximately 94% of investigation files opened over ideologically motivated offenses by Israelis in the West Bank between 2005–2025 were closed without an indictment, while about 3% of cases resulted in convictions.
INSS also said the violence weakens the Palestinian Authority, consumes military resources needed to combat Palestinian terrorism, and damages Israel’s regional and international standing. The report warned that continued failures to confront Jewish terrorism could undermine Israel’s national security, democratic institutions and ability to maintain the rule of law.
Among its recommendations were stronger enforcement against nationalist violence, a permanent inter-agency task force, political backing for security agencies, and immediate enforcement against unauthorized outposts and encroachments.