A State Paralyzed: Israel's Military Struggles Against West Bank Settlers

Israel possesses one of the most formidable military apparatuses in the Middle East. Yet, in the West Bank village of Qusra, this same military finds itself seemingly paralyzed by a group of its own citizens. Since Sunday, Israeli settlers have blockaded the Abu Ridi and Hassan families, severing their electricity and water supplies. The army has now announced the deployment of additional troops, admitting its initial attempts to clear a driveway ended in failure.

The tactical defeat occurred on Wednesday when security forces attempted to dislodge the blockade. Despite deploying tear gas and stun grenades against a crowd of settlers, the authorities retreated, managing only to confiscate a canopy. Adding to the embarrassment, the first soldiers on the scene opted to pray with the perpetrators rather than disperse them. The military command has promised disciplinary action for the fraternization.

International pressure eventually forced a more robust response. The besieged property belongs to a Palestinian-American businessman, prompting an intervention from the United States embassy. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee adopted a severe tone, categorising the perpetrators as Israeli terrorists. Taking to social media, he described the blockade as a horrific act of terror designed to harass the family, explicitly stating there was no excuse for such thuggish behavior.

Following Washington's blunt assessment, the Israeli military declared Qusra a closed military zone. Overnight footage revealed a convoy of security vehicles, including a bulldozer, rolling into the area. Local media reported the demolition of a nearby settler outpost. Nevertheless, Qusay Abu Ridi, currently trapped inside the besieged home, confirmed the property was attacked again during the night by settlers hiding from army patrols.

The siege in Qusra reflects a broader demographic shift across the West Bank. The strategy appears straightforward: isolate and evict. Qusra's mayor, Abdel Azim Wadi, noted a sustained campaign against the village, highlighted by the recent arson of a new mosque. Neighboring areas share this reality. In July, residents of Jalud abandoned their home after a two-week settler encirclement; the property remains occupied by the besiegers. Elsewhere, violence in Tal escalated into clashes leaving four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers dead.

United Nations data quantifies this territorial transfer. In 2026, settler violence and evictions displaced roughly 3,800 Palestinians. Since January 2023, 127 communities have faced total or partial displacement, affecting over 6,390 individuals. Fatalities this year include 76 Palestinians and three Israelis in the West Bank. While international law deems these settlements illegal, the Israeli government actively facilitates their expansion. At the UN, Israel's Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the notion that settlements hinder peace. Asserting biblical and historical rights to the territory, he declared that we are not going anywhere.

Written by Sandy van Dongen sandy.vandongen@alpineweekly.com