Settler violence threatens Israel’s rule of law, international standing, legal expert tells ‘Post'

Professor Yuval Shany warns that unchecked settler violence in the West Bank threatens Israel's rule of law, damages its international standing, and could increase the risk of sanctions. Shany spoke after extremist settlers attacked a European delegation and an American photojournalist. Settler attacks rose 27% in 2025, and 93.8% of police files between 2005 and 2024 were closed without indictment. The article notes that Israel exported at least $15 billion in goods and services to 12 countries signaling potential sanctions in 2024.

Professor Yuval Shany, a leading international law expert, warned that unchecked settler violence in the West Bank threatens Israel's rule of law, damages its international standing, and could weaken support for its efforts to curb Palestinian Authority payments to convicted terrorists. Shany, the Hersch Lauterpacht chair at Hebrew University and a senior research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, spoke to The Jerusalem Post days after extremist settlers attacked a European delegation and an American photojournalist in separate incidents. Ten suspects have been detained. Settler attacks rose by 27% in 2025 compared to the previous year, and severe nationalist crime increased by over 50%, according to IDF and Shin Bet data. Between 2005 and 2024, 93.8% of 1,701 police investigation files monitored by Yesh Din were closed without indictment. Shany noted that even when courts side with Palestinians, violence can prevent enforcement, citing the Tubasi family case where settlers attacked IDF forces. He warned of increased European sanctions, following the UK's ban on settlement goods and 11 other countries signaling similar measures. The article also notes that Israel exported at least $15 billion in goods and services to those 12 countries in 2024.