IDF fires commander filmed praying with West Bank Jewish extremists during Kusra siege

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 17:12The IDF late Tuesday-early Wednesday announced the firing of an IDF reservist commander who, along with his soldiers, was caught on video praying with Jewish extremists, some of whom attacked and some of whom placed Palestinian civilians under siege in the West Bank village of Kusra, which is a Palestinian-controlled area.The unit had been assigned to facilitate efforts to prevent attacks on Palestinians and to eventually remove the extremist Jews from the area.What was described as a siege, which started on August 9, and with some Palestinians saying that aspects of the siege continue even now, though there has been stronger IDF protection for the Palestinians after the early days of the siege, led to an August 10 video sparking accusations that the IDF was working or indirectly supporting the Jewish extremist violence.Later, other IDF troops were brought in to remove the illegal outpost multiple times where the first IDF soldiers had been filmed praying with the Jewish extremists; it was later removed, but the Palestinians say that Jewish extremists continue to return to the area.In the IDF's statement, the military said the commander's conduct was “contrary to what was expected of him and contrary to the instructions given to him.”Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Israeli settler who entered onto the property of Palestinian-American Loui Ridi, in Kusra, August 18, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/Ammar Awad)Explicitly ordered not to identify with Jewish extremistsAccording to the IDF, the commander has been explicitly ordered to avoid taking any actions which might be in any way interpreted as identifying with the Jewish extremists or support for their illegal conduct.His soldiers who prayed with the Jewish extremists, however, were not reprimanded, as they believed they were following orders that he had issued lawfully, the IDF explained.A military source said that if the reservist wanted to continue serving in the military, he would be permitted to do so, but not in a command role.This past weekend, some of the extremists temporarily took over one of the Palestinian houses in the village before they were forced out.Some of the extremists also beat and attacked global media who tried to cover the events.Despite many of the Jewish extremists' faces being caught on video, it appears that they have not been arrested and may not be, at least under the current police leadership, which follows the orders of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to mostly stay out of cases of Jews attacking Palestinians.Last week, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir announced that he was expanding the IDF forces being used to maintain public order in Judea and Samaria leading into the upcoming fall Jewish holidays.The Jerusalem Post understands that the volume of forces will be more than double the pre-October 7 force size of around 11 battalions, which at times has grown to 15-20 battalions, but will temporarily grow even more.\Zamir: West Bank extremist violence out of controlZamir warned the government that Jewish extremist violence has run out of control and that greater backing is needed from the government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others actively restraining political officials from provocative actions. Religious Zionist MK Zvi Sukkot entered the West Bank village of Madama near Nablus last week during an IDF-escorted tour and participated in destroying a monument that appeared to honor members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Palestinians killed during the intifada.According to the IDF, Sukkot requested military protection for what he told them would be an innocent tour of monuments. Soldiers were diverted from serious operational duties to provide security. The IDF stated that Sukkot double-crossed them and destroyed the monument without authorization, leading to a global uproar and condemnation of Israel for state-sanctioned destruction of monuments.All of this takes place as IDF officials have said Jewish extremist violence has reached new levels, with hundreds of extremists recently drawing out a conflict with the IDF at the Palestinian village of Kusra.It also takes place as IDF and Shin Bet officials say that the police, after three years under Itamar Ben Gvir, have reached highly problematic lows in terms of arresting and helping indict Jewish extremists in the West Bank.Accordingly, Zamir has brought in the Golani Brigade and the Paratroopers Brigade to supplement the standard forces in the area, some of which have appeared too sympathetic to Jewish extremists attacking Palestinian villages.However, without more backing from the government, Zamir warned that even increased IDF forces will be insufficient.Further, the IDF chief noted that moving more elite forces into Judea and Samaria risks leaving the more dangerous northern and southern borders less defended, and will also mean fewer soldiers get off for the upcoming holidays.Follow us on Google