Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Thursday evening (April 16) at Habima Square in Tel Aviv to protest escalating settler violence in the West Bank, in what organizers described as the first large-scale public demonstration in Israel focused specifically on the issue.
The protest was organized by a coalition of civil society and anti-occupation groups amid a sharp rise in settler attacks in the West Bank in recent months. Participants called on the Israeli government and security establishment to take concrete action against perpetrators, arguing that official condemnations have not translated into meaningful enforcement.
Protesters denounced what they described as a dramatic increase in attacks since the current government took office, targeting Palestinians, Israeli activists, and in some cases Israeli security personnel. Organizers said such incidents have included serious assaults, property destruction, arson, and mob violence.
Palestinian and Israeli victims of recent settler attacks addressed the crowd, sharing personal testimonies and urging greater public involvement in “protective presence” initiatives supporting vulnerable Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Adi Cohen, a volunteer with the Protective Presence initiative who was injured in an attack on Israeli activists in the Palestinian village of Qusra last month, said:
“From that small illegal outpost whose residents descended to try to kill us, dozens of attacks, arson incidents, beatings, and at least three killings of Palestinians have emerged in recent months. The violence we experienced—and often far worse—is what Palestinians endure daily across the West Bank. There can be no justification for such violence. Settler terror must be stopped.”
Yael Levkovitch, a teacher and Protective Presence volunteer who was also injured in the Qusra attack, said:
“These phenomena must be confronted at every level—from the violent youth, to the settlers and the public who turn a blind eye, to the authorities that support them. If the state and army will not stop this violence, then civil society must act.”
Oded Pavorish, a veteran field activist injured in the Qusra attack, said:
“Settler violence persists because its perpetrators believe Israeli law enforcement will stand by them. They attack unarmed civilians knowing they are unlikely to face consequences.”
Oded Yedaya, principal of the Minshar School of Art and a Protective Presence activist injured in an attack near the village of Beita, said:
“These outposts are not the work of fringe extremists. This violence is an integral part of the settlement enterprise. The perpetrators receive support, funding, and weapons from state authorities.”
The demonstration was organized by the Peace Partnership Coalition, together with a number of organizations: Looking the Occupation in the Eye, Jordan Valley Activists, Combatants for Peace, Standing Together, Hadash, and Rabbis for Human Rights.
Photos by Irit Hakim-Keller
