Armed Israeli settlers, frequently seen in military uniforms, are engaging in land seizures and launching attacks against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, operating with a near-total absence of accountability. These actions, described by some residents as a "pogrom," aim to displace Palestinians and annex their land.

This escalating violence occurs against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli occupation and settlement expansion, which international law considers illegal. The presence of settlers in military attire and their alleged collaboration with Israeli forces blur the lines between civilian aggression and state-sanctioned actions, raising serious concerns about human rights and the rule of law.

In Kobar, northwest of Ramallah, a settler known to locals as "Ghazal" has been accused of repeatedly attacking Palestinian farmers. Bassema Khader, 63, described how the settler, sometimes masked but recognizable, would arrive in army uniforms, fire shots, steal livestock and solar panels, and demand car keys while claiming to be military personnel. Khader recounted an incident where the settler, after being confronted, called for backup from the Israeli Border Police, who then assisted him in taking all her sheep.

The stated goal of these attacks, according to Khader, is to terrorize residents, prevent them from accessing their land, and ultimately empty areas like al-Daak. For Palestinians, land represents not only their livelihood but also their identity and sense of belonging, making these aggressions an existential threat.

Mohammad Majdi Abu Makho, from Deir Jarir, northeast of Ramallah, was run over by a settler’s vehicle and pepper-sprayed while praying near his village in December 2025. Abu Makho stated that the land is fundamental to his existence and identity. He also reported that the settler involved routinely brought sheep to the village entrance, firing indiscriminately when residents attempted to confront him.

Following the incident, Abu Makho pursued the case through the Israeli legal system. The Israeli military confirmed that the settler was an army reservist and had also fired shots within Deir Jarir earlier that day while in civilian clothes. His weapon was confiscated, and his reserve service was suspended pending an investigation.

These incidents highlight a pattern of violence where settlers, often equipped and appearing to act with official backing, are able to displace Palestinians and seize their property. The alleged involvement of Israeli forces, such as the Border Police assisting settlers, suggests a systemic issue of impunity that enables these actions.

Human rights organizations have long documented abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank, including settler violence and excessive force by Israeli security personnel. The blurring of lines between settlers acting as civilians and those appearing in military uniforms, coupled with alleged complicity from Israeli forces, creates an environment where Palestinians feel increasingly vulnerable and their rights are systematically violated.