Settler leaders condemn Kusra violence, warn of ‘irreversible damage’ to Israel

Senior settler leaders publicly condemned violence near the Palestinian village of Kusra. Yesha Council chairman Yisrael Ganz said the events were 'not our way' and rejected violence against uninvolved Palestinians and security forces. Beit El Council head Shai Alon warned of 'irreversible damage' to Israel and the settlement movement, calling perpetrators criminals. Alon criticized Minister Ben-Gvir and MK Limor Son Har-Melech, and backed the IDF's handling. The IDF demolished two unauthorized outposts and deployed troops to the area.

Senior settler leaders publicly denounced violence surrounding the Palestinian village of Kusra in the northern West Bank. Yesha Council chairman Yisrael Ganz said the events were 'serious and are not our way,' rejecting violence against uninvolved Palestinians and security forces. He said there was no justification for privately establishing a hilltop outpost in a house's yard, even if the house was illegal. Beit El Council head Shai Alon gave a blunt assessment in an interview with Ynet, warning the violence was causing 'irreversible damage' to Israel and the settlement movement. He called those responsible 'criminal offenders who take out their rage on an innocent population' and said the phenomenon had to be eradicated. Alon criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech, saying the young extremists were politically closer to them. He also criticized the Israel Police's Judea and Samaria District for not doing enough, while backing the IDF's handling. The condemnations followed days of tensions in Kusra and nearby Jalud. The IDF said Israeli civilians had entered Palestinian homes and land, describing the activity as 'illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable.' Security forces demolished two unauthorized outposts overnight Wednesday, detained one Israeli, and deployed Golani Brigade Battalion 51. Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth visited the area and met with a Palestinian family. Ganz said opponents of the settlement movement were exploiting the events politically but that this must not obscure the fact that what happened was 'improper and unacceptable.' He called on the government to repeal the Oslo Accords and allow regulated Jewish settlement throughout open areas of the West Bank.