Netanyahu putting election interests ahead of curbing settler violence, Nablus governor to 'Post'

ByDANA BEN-SHIMONJULY 26, 2026 20:06The deadly shooting in the village of Tell, south of Nablus, in which an IDF commander and a member of the Gilad Farm security squad were killed on Friday by a Palestinian who snatched a firearm during clashes, has sharpened tensions across the West Bank.The fatal incident followed a wave of what is described as "revenge attacks" by Israeli extremists, including vandalism of property and two mosques in villages south of Tulkarm and Nablus, according to Palestinian media reports.Palestinians have warned the violence could further escalate, denouncing the statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz to step up legalization of settlement outposts, known as agricultural farms, in the West Bank and to establish new ones in response to the Tell incident.Nablus Governor Ghassan Douglas claimed that Israeli authorities have failed to take harsh steps against radical Israelis who commit acts of violence against Palestinians for political reasons. He argued that as elections for the Knesset approach in October, the Israeli government is "reluctant to act against its supporters.""This is an election time for Israelis, and Netanyahu and members of his government want to appease the settlers who vote for them," Douglas told The Jerusalem Post. "That's why Netanyahu and his political allies avoid confronting violent settlers and do not take significant punitive measures against them," he stated.The damage following an attack by Israeli settlers in the village of Tell, near the West Bank city of Nablus, July 25, 2026. (credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)Douglas argued that Palestinians in Tell "were acting in self-defense," saying that "settlers were the ones who entered the village and made provocations that fueled clashes."Clashes erupt in West Bank village of TellOn Friday, a group of Israelis entered the outskirts of the village of Tell, claiming they were on a trip. The IDF stated that this outing had not been coordinated with their forces in advance. Clashes erupted, and the group called for assistance from the civilian security team of Gilad Farm.A member of that team, Benayahu Melet, arrived at the scene, where a Palestinian seized his firearm and shot him dead. Additionally, an Israeli officer, Maj. Yuval Ezra, was also killed during the incident.Following the incident, Israeli forces intensified operations in the area, including raids, increased checkpoints, arrests, and measures to combat terror threats.Palestinians said that attacks by radical settlers have intensified, with incidents occurring almost daily, pointing to raids on Palestinian villages, abusing residents, intimidating them, and, among other things, setting fire to property.Douglas said that "the aggression has continued to escalate," and that "settlement expansion has only increased," calling for foreign countries to take action."The outposts the Israeli government seeks to authorize were illegal and remain illegal," Douglas said. "We hope the international community intervenes to stop this."'Both sides will ultimately pay the price'A Palestinian resident from a village near Tell warned that the situation could deteriorate further, saying that both sides would ultimately pay the price. "We haven't seen any strict Israeli policy to contain those people who attack Palestinians. No one is placing limits on them," he said."Instead, we are the ones now facing more restrictions and crackdowns," the resident said, claiming that such measures would not help bring calm. "When you put more pressure on people and keep them confined in a cage, things eventually explode. If you go on a trip, there are plenty of other places. Why come here? What are you looking for in Palestinian villages?" he said."These provocations by settlers are meant to trigger a reaction," the Palestinian resident charged. "Then they can say, 'the Palestinians are the terrorists who harm us,' and use it as an excuse to push forward with their plans to expel us from this land and take over."Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday sent letters to leaders of several countries as well as to the EU and the UN Security Council, calling for "urgent action to stop the Israeli continued aggression and settler terrorism."He asserted that "the occupied Palestinian territory is witnessing a dangerous escalation as a result of attacks carried out by Israeli occupation forces and armed settler groups against the Palestinian people, under the direct protection and support of the Israeli army and government."The Palestinian Foreign Ministry stated that "these systematic crimes are an extension of policies of incitement, protection and impunity that encourage settlers to commit further attacks against our people."The Ministry called on the international community to "take practical measures to stop settler terrorism, and to designate armed settler groups that carry out systematic daily crimes against Palestinian civilians as terrorist organizations."Follow us on Google