**Title: UN Report Accuses Israel of Enabling Settler Violence Against Palestinians in West Bank**
A recent report by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has raised serious allegations against Israeli authorities, claiming they are complicit in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The report, released on Tuesday, details how Israeli security forces have not only provided protection to settlers but have also enabled attacks that have resulted in the deaths, injuries, and displacement of Palestinians.
The inquiry highlights a notable increase in violence, with attacks on Palestinian villages and agricultural land reportedly surging by 130% since the beginning of 2023. The report describes incidents involving groups of masked assailants and states that Israeli security forces have routinely accompanied settlers, effectively acting as a shield during violent confrontations.
Israeli officials, including the Prime Minister's Office and military, did not respond immediately to requests for comment regarding the findings of the report. The Israeli government has historically rejected claims that its security forces shield settlers during attacks, asserting that any such actions are isolated incidents that violate military protocols and are subject to investigation. However, both Israeli and Palestinian rights organizations have criticized these investigations, suggesting they rarely lead to accountability or punishment for those involved.
The report also notes the presence of hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers living among millions of Palestinians in territories captured by Israel during the 1967 war. Most countries and the International Court of Justice consider these settlements a violation of international law, a stance that Israel disputes, citing historical and biblical connections to the land.
The UN report documented grave incidents of violence, including the killing of at least seven Palestinians and injuries to 832 others in the previous year. It characterized the increasing involvement of Israeli security forces in settler violence as a "de facto collapse" of the distinction between settlers and soldiers. The report asserts that such violence is being utilized to further state policies, including the unlawful occupation and annexation of Palestinian territories.
Among the documented cases were assaults, abductions, and abuse of Palestinian children by settlers. One particularly alarming incident occurred on April 19, 2025, when a 12-year-old girl and her 3-year-old brother were abducted at knifepoint and tied to a tree until family members intervened. The report also highlighted threats of sexual violence and harassment directed at Palestinian women by settlers.
S. Muralidhar, the head of the Commission and a former senior judge from India, emphasized the urgent need for the international community to intervene. He called for pressure on Israel to dismantle settlements and curb the violence, stating, "The relentless, daily assaults by Israeli settlers against Palestinians are intolerable — and must end." Despite periodic international condemnations and the dismantling of some unauthorized outposts, the report indicates that Israeli authorities have not implemented sustained measures to prevent ongoing attacks.
In addition to the findings regarding the West Bank, the report also expressed concern over serious abuses in the Gaza Strip, where the militant group Hamas holds control. The Commission documented instances of severe violence, including executions and physical abuse, attributed to Hamas-affiliated forces. These acts were characterized as war crimes and violations of international law.
The report also addressed the violent escalation that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other armed groups launched attacks on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and widespread destruction. The subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza has reportedly led to tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and significant damage to the territory.
A previous report by the Commission had accused Israel of committing genocide during its military operations in Gaza and implicated senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in inciting violence. Israel has dismissed these allegations as "scandalous."
As the situation continues to evolve, the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry underscore the complex and escalating tensions in the region, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and resolution to prevent further violence and suffering on both sides.