Israeli Settlers Allegedly Torch Palestinian Fields near Yitzhar Settlement
On Saturday, a reported incident of arson occurred in the northern West Bank, with Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement being accused of setting fire to fields belonging to the nearby Palestinian village of Burin. The rights group Yesh Din shared footage showing masked settlers standing on a hilltop as flames and smoke consumed the fields, before retreating back towards the settlement.
As is often the case with settler violence, no arrests were made, and indictments and convictions for such incidents are infrequent. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded to reports of both Palestinians setting fire to tires near Yitzhar and Israeli settlers setting fire to lands near Burin. The IDF dispersed the gatherings but made no further statements. Requests for comment from Israel Police went unanswered.
This alleged arson adds to a series of settler violence that has largely gone unchecked for years, often occurring on the Jewish Sabbath when such actions are religiously prohibited according to Orthodox practices observed by the settlers.
Recent months have witnessed several settler rampages in Palestinian towns following deadly terror attacks against Israelis, resulting in the deaths of two Palestinians and injuries to many more. The Israeli government has pledged to hold those involved in such rioting accountable, with some suspects and Israelis placed under administrative detention. Footage of these attacks has been widely shared on social media.
In a separate case that sparked controversy, authorities were filmed filling a well dug by Palestinians near the al-Hijrah village in the South Hebron Hills with cement. The Civil Administration claimed the well was illegally constructed and had the potential to damage the area’s natural water resources. However, the head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories issued a directive to examine each enforcement case against allegedly illegal water installations on a case-by-case basis.
Palestinians argue that water agreements signed in the 1995 Oslo Accords, which justified Israel’s enforcement actions, were intended to be in effect for only five years and do not reflect the current reality. Disparities in access to water between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank have led to tensions, with Israeli consumption far exceeding that of Palestinians. Palestinians in Area C, which is under Israeli control, face additional challenges in obtaining permits for construction and water infrastructure, further exacerbating the issue.
In summary, the incident involving the torching of Palestinian fields near Yitzhar is the latest occurrence in a long-standing pattern of settler violence that remains a contentious issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.