Jerusalem, Israel — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged on Monday that it has struggled to curb rising violence perpetrated by Jewish extremists against Palestinians in the West Bank. In 2025, incidents categorized as “nationalistic” by the IDF, including violent assaults and property vandalism, surged to 867, marking a significant increase from 682 incidents reported the previous year.
While 2025’s figures represent a decline from the peaks of 2023 and 2022—1,045 and 922 incidents respectively—they are a concerning escalation from several years prior, including 446 incidents in 2021 and only 339 in 2019. Critically, the IDF also noted an uptick in more serious attacks, particularly those involving organized efforts rather than isolated actions by individuals.
The IDF’s latest assessments classify instances of deadly attacks on Palestinians by Jewish individuals as “Jewish terror,” yet the military refrains from labeling the groups involved in these collective actions as terrorist organizations. They argue that these groups lack the organization seen in Palestinian militant groups, prompting contentions from critics who suggest that political biases influence this terminology.
The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, identified 70 individuals as particularly problematic offenders, with the authorities having issued 39 restraining orders affecting many of these individuals. However, there has been a growing concern regarding a broader group of approximately 250 others involved in nationalist incidents, albeit to a lesser degree.
Half of the identified extremists are reportedly from the West Bank, while the other half originate from within Israel’s Green Line. Despite this geographic division, the bulk of these individuals now spend most of their time in the West Bank. Reports suggest many have distanced themselves from authority figures, disregarding even right-wing religious leaders who might typically influence their actions.
The violence has seen some of the youngest offenders participating in attacks, with instances of 12-year-olds taking part. Months with the highest rates of violent incidents include January, with 116 attacks, as well as significant occurrences in May, June, and the fall months.
The IDF has faced criticism concerning its approach to managing such violence, especially after the release of several key offenders from administrative detention by Defense Minister Israel Katz, a decision that contrasts starkly with the ongoing detention of over 3,500 Palestinians under similar measures. Critics argue that eliminating administrative detention for Jewish individuals compromises national security, particularly given the more deadly nature of Palestinian violence.
Law enforcement tactics, including the use of electronic bracelets for monitoring individuals under restraining orders, have had limited success. Recently, a subject under house arrest managed to travel beyond restrictions, highlighting the ongoing struggle to effectively enforce measures against violent extremist behavior.
Despite new laws aimed at making mask-wearing during protests illegal to facilitate offender identification, challenges remain in enforcing these regulations, which are often undermined by judicial leniency. There are questions surrounding whether the West Bank police might finally re-engage in arresting Jewish violent extremists after years of alleged neglect influenced by political pressures.
In parallel to addressing extremist violence, the IDF has taken steps to dismantle unauthorized outposts established by Jewish settlers in the West Bank. However, the Israeli government has also approved the legalization of numerous outposts, sparking international criticism regarding their impact on potential peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.
The landscape remains fraught as new developments threaten to complicate efforts to establish a peaceful resolution in the region, raising concerns about the future of any proposed Palestinian state amid ongoing tensions and violence.