Israeli West Bank settler tells BBC attacks on Palestinians are justified as revenge
West Bank Settler Justifies Attacks as Revenge for Israeli Death
Constantvpn.com – An Israeli West Bank settler has told the BBC that violent attacks on Palestinians are justified as revenge following the death of a security guard. The confrontation in the occupied territories resulted in multiple casualties, with four Palestinians and one Israeli soldier losing their lives during recent clashes. Havat Gilad, a hilltop outpost near Palestinian villages, became the focal point of renewed tensions after the Friday incident in the village of Tal.
Settler’s Unconventional Perspective on Retribution
Yehuda Shimon, a legal professional who advocates for Israelis detained for violence against Palestinians, granted the BBC rare access to the remote outpost. When asked about the weekend’s attacks, Shimon expressed strong support for retaliatory action. He specifically named several Palestinian settlements in his response.
“I think now, after they killed one Israeli, we need to kill all the people in Tal and Sarra, even Jit and Farata,” he declared, naming the Palestinian settlements nearest to Havat Gilad.
When questioned about equating one Jewish life with hundreds or thousands of Palestinian lives, Shimon offered a different calculation. “No,” he responded firmly. “Millions. One Jewish life, it’s 10 million [Palestinians].”
Divine Right and International Law
Confronted with accusations of racism regarding his statement, Shimon did not attempt to deflect or deny. “Yes, I know,” he acknowledged. “But this is the truth, because God chose us [and] because of this you are jealous.”
Such extreme positions—while rejected by numerous Israelis—provide essential insight into the ongoing conflict throughout the West Bank. As Israeli settlements and outposts continue their expansion, and violence against Palestinians intensifies, these perspectives become increasingly significant. Many settlers, particularly those residing in unauthorized outposts like Havat Gilad that lack proper planning permission or legal oversight, view the West Bank as territory divinely bestowed upon the Jewish people.
Both officially sanctioned settlements and unauthorized outposts remain illegal under international law. Havat Gilad was founded over two decades ago to commemorate an Israeli security officer assassinated by Palestinians. The outpost consists of a loosely arranged group of homes alongside a vineyard situated on a prominent hill.
Conflicting Narratives on Recent Violence
During our visit, a row of recently destroyed buildings stood near the entrance—what Shimon attributed to a Palestinian arson attack. Israeli news outlets reported that authorities considered the fire accidental, potentially caused by cigarette butts discarded from a passing vehicle. Settlers at Havat Gilad maintain that Palestinian actors deliberately burned their homes, while police suggest otherwise.
Israel’s government has previously indicated intentions to formalize Havat Gilad’s status. According to Peace Now, a settlement monitoring organization, legalisation has proven difficult because much of the land is recognized by Israel as privately owned by Palestinians. Instead, the government designated a section of land south of the outpost as state territory to allow continued construction.
“The Israeli government and the Israeli army, they like the United Nations – if Palestinians come and Jewish people come, [they] don’t kill the Palestinians, [they] just separate the people,” Shimon explained. “Afterwards, because they don’t kill Palestinians, the Palestinians kill us.”
Shimon dismissed international law as irrelevant, asserting that biblical texts grant Jews their right to West Bank territory. He criticized both the government and military for insufficient support of Jewish land claims, despite substantial settlement growth under the current administration and the presence of far-right religious-nationalist ministers in the cabinet.
He further argued that the Israeli army should employ lethal force more frequently during confrontations with Palestinians. The statistics from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs show that Israeli forces have killed more Palestinians in the West Bank since October 2023 than in the previous 55 years combined.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Havat Gilad? Havat Gilad is an unauthorized Israeli outpost in the West Bank, founded over two decades ago to commemorate an Israeli security officer assassinated by Palestinians. It consists of homes and a vineyard on a prominent hill.
Why are settlers attacking Palestinian villages? According to Yehuda Shimon, attacks are justified as revenge for the death of an Israeli security guard from Havat Gilad during a clash in the village of Tal on Friday.
Is Havat Gilad legal? Both officially sanctioned settlements and unauthorized outposts remain illegal under international law. Havat Gilad lacks proper planning permission or legal oversight.
What does Shimon believe about Palestinian lives? Shimon stated that one Jewish life equals 10 million Palestinian lives, explaining his view that retaliatory attacks are proportionate.
How does the Israeli government view Havat Gilad? Israel’s government has indicated intentions to formalize Havat Gilad’s status, though legalisation has proven difficult because much of the land is recognized by Israel as privately owned by Palestinians.
