More than 100 Israeli settlers launched a violent raid on the Palestinian village of Jalud in the northern occupied West Bank. They set fire to homes and vehicles and blocked a displaced family from returning to their property. The incident occurred on Monday night despite an Israeli High Court ruling ordering that the family be allowed to reoccupy their homes.
- High Court Ruling Violated by Overnight Riots
- Destruction of Property and Security Response
- Official Reactions and Broader Context
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What triggered the attack in Jalud?
- Who is the al-Tubasi family?
- How did the Israeli military respond?
- Are Israeli settlements legal under international law?
- What statistics exist regarding West Bank settler violence?
The al-Tubasi family-consisting of 60-year-old Mahmoud al-Tubasi, his 50-year-old wife Aida, and their 33-year-old son Wael-attempted to return to their properties under military escort. The family had fled their homes earlier this summer following weeks of sustained harassment and threats from extremist settlers who had established an illegal outpost near Jalud.
High Court Ruling Violated by Overnight Riots
Earlier this month, Israel’s High Court ruled that the al-Tubasi family must be safely returned to their homes by September 20. The court criticized local authorities for failing to address settler violence, calling the phenomenon a completely unacceptable practice that stands against the basic values and moral principles of the State of Israel.
However, coordinated alerts posted in settler WhatsApp groups drew more than 150 extremists to the village on Monday night. The rioters blocked roads, set tires on fire, and hurled stones as the family arrived under military coordination.
“As soon as we entered the house, which had already been completely destroyed, settlers started throwing stones at us,” Mahmoud al-Tubasi told reporters. “My feeling now is that I am happy to have escaped death. I genuinely expected they were going to kill us.”
Destruction of Property and Security Response
Upon inspecting their properties by torchlight, the family found that their homes had suffered extensive damage during weeks of occupation by settlers. Doors were smashed, electrical fittings ripped out, tiles broken, and human waste left inside the plumbing fixtures.
As the violence escalated, Israeli soldiers and border police used tear gas and pepper spray to hold back the advancing crowd. Settlers slashed the tires of a military vehicle carrying the family before workers transferred them to an armored transport. As the family evacuated, the attackers set fire to the al-Tubasi family cars and both of their houses, sending thick plumes of smoke into the night air.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that more than 100 rioters participated in the disturbances, injuring three police officers and damaging a security vehicle. The military confirmed that due to the intensity of the violence, the mission to safely return the family could not be completed.
Official Reactions and Broader Context
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attacks on security forces, urging law enforcement to prosecute the rioters to the fullest extent of the law. Israeli police reported that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the violence.
Human rights organizations point to the incident as part of a broader, systemic pattern of displacement in the West Bank. According to Yesh Din, an Israeli human rights group, fewer than three percent of police investigations into settler violence over the past two decades have resulted in convictions.
Data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) shows that levels of settler violence have reached historic highs. Since 2023, more than 6,500 Palestinians have been displaced across the occupied West Bank due to settler attacks and tightened access restrictions, while OCHA has logged over 6,100 violent incidents causing casualties or property damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the attack in Jalud?
The attack occurred after the al-Tubasi family attempted to return to their homes under an Israeli High Court ruling, following nearly two months of displacement caused by settler harassment.
Who is the al-Tubasi family?
The family consists of Mahmoud al-Tubasi (60), his wife Aida (50), and their son Wael (33), whose homes in the West Bank village of Jalud were seized and subsequently torched.
How did the Israeli military respond?
Israeli forces and border police escorted the family and used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the rioters, eventually evacuating the family safely in an armored vehicle, though they were unable to complete the return mission.
Are Israeli settlements legal under international law?
Yes, all Israeli settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.
What statistics exist regarding West Bank settler violence?
According to the United Nations, more than 6,500 Palestinians have been displaced by settler violence and access restrictions since 2023, alongside thousands of documented incidents causing property damage or casualties.
