UN warns Israeli settler violence spiralling in West Bank

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, warning that Israel’s culture of impunity must end.

“The failure to prevent or punish such attacks is inconsistent with international law. Palestinians must be protected,” Fletcher wrote on X, demanding accountability for the escalating settler violence.

UN data shows that more than 1,000 assaults were recorded in the first eight months of 2025 alone, marking one of the most violent years for Palestinians in the occupied territory. Rights groups say Israeli forces often protect settlers rather than hold them accountable.

The violence has also devastated the olive harvest, a vital source of income for Palestinian families, as settlers destroy trees, steal crops, and terrorise farming communities across the West Bank.