In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers entered the Jeryut Junction in the town of Beitunia, west of Ramallah, under the protection of Israeli soldiers.
Numerous settler vehicles using the Jeryut road west of Ramallah proceeded toward the area. The settlers attacked passing Palestinian vehicles with stones and stoned several vehicles.
The group stationed at the junction within Beitunia’s boundaries displayed Israeli flags. The settlers also prepared to hold Jewish religious rituals at the Jeryut Spring.
Soldiers opened fire in the area. The incident marked the settlers’ first entry into the town of Beitunia.
Raids increased during Jewish holidays
The entry into Beitunia coincided with other raids carried out in different parts of the West Bank during the Jewish holidays.
The Jewish holidays began with Rosh Hashanah on September 12 and 13. Yom Kippur was scheduled for September 21 and 22, Sukkot for September 26 to October 2, and Simchat Torah for October 3.
In August, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called Israelis involved in acts of violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank “terrorists.” Huckabee warned that these actions were seriously damaging Israel’s image.
In June, 14 United Nations rapporteurs warned that the rapid rise in settler attacks in the occupied Palestinian territories, with state support and acquiescence, posed an existential risk to Palestinian communities.
Settler attacks in the West Bank
According to data from the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, settlers carried out 628 attacks in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in August.
Official Palestinian figures show that approximately 750,000 settlers live in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. These settlers live in 194 settlements and 400 illegal outposts.
Since Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip began in October 2023, attacks by the Israeli army and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have increased. During this period, 1,206 Palestinians were killed, approximately 13,350 were injured and more than 24,600 were detained.
