The Israeli Settlers Movement: A Growing Influence on Politics and Violence

The Israeli settlers movement has gained unprecedented influence in Israeli politics over the past year, with a growing number of attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank. Since Hamas' attack in October 2023, there have been more than 1,000 attacks, according to a new report from the International Crisis Group. The spike in violence is often attributed to the permissive policies of Israel's right-wing government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu. However, the movement's influence extends back decades, with its ideological roots tied to the erosion of Israel's democratic foundations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Israeli settlers movement has grown from a fringe group to a powerful force in Israeli politics, with nearly half of Jewish Israelis believing they help strengthen national security.
• The movement has legitimized its cause by portraying itself as a continuation of the Zionist pioneers who founded modern Israel, and has gained positions within influential Israeli institutions, including the military.
• Settler leaders have promoted extreme policies, including population transfer and mass punishment of Palestinian communities, with some Cabinet members advocating for violence against Palestinians.
• The government's inclusion of extremist settler leaders in the cabinet has signaled to many settlers that violent and illegal acts against Palestinians will be considered legitimate, leading to further politicization of government bureaucracy.
• The settler movement has expanded its influence in government, with ministers pushing for more funding to settlements, approval of expansions, and legalization of unauthorized outposts.

Statistics:

• More than 1,000 attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank have been reported since Hamas' attack in October 2023 (International Crisis Group).
• Nearly half of Jewish Israelis believe settlers help strengthen national security (U.N. investigation).
• Settlers hold prominent positions in the army's leadership, which may explain the often weak response to settlers' illegal activities (Arie Perliger).
• 150 settlements are scattered throughout the West Bank, undermining the possibility of a viable Palestinian state with an undivided, continuous territory (Arie Perliger).
• The settlers movement has grown from 2% of Israel's population in 1989 to nearly 6% today, despite a doubling of the country's population (Arie Perliger).

Sources:

• International Crisis Group: "West Bank: Escalating Tensions and Violence"
• United Nations: "Report on Settler Violence Against Palestinians"
• Arie Perliger: "How the Israeli settlers movement shaped modern Israel" (The Conversation, 2024)
• Arie Perliger: "The Israeli Settlers Movement and the Erosion of Democratic Values in Israel" (NIJ, 2022)
• "Racism, Law, and the State in Israel: A Critical Analysis" (Kahanist movement, 1980s)