Settler Violence: dramatic escalation in October ’25
JVL Introduction
Settler violence, demolitions, closed military zones (often called while Palestinians are harvesting their olives) have risen exponentially since October 7th 2023 and October 2025 saw an even greater increase. In addition to settlement expansion the refugee camps in Jenin and Tulkarm have been largely destroyed and 40,000 or more people were evacuated and now have no homes to return to. Arrests continue apace, including of children; most are held under the catch-all “administrative detention” which means no charges, no trial and no due process and certainly no known release date.
Meanwhile demolition orders have been issued to several homes and the community centre at the village of Umm Al-Khair in the South Hebron Hills and Israeli and other international volunteers were excluded from the village as it was speedily declared a “closed military zone”. This is annexation by (fairly rapid) stealth.
The information accompanying the ActiveStills photograph taken on the first day of the olive harvest stated that “In one attack (pictured), dozens of settlers and soldiers used live ammunition, batons and stones during the attack. Several Palestinians and solidarity activists were injured, including journalists, among them the Activestills photographer, Wahaj Bani Moufleh. Four cars were set on fire.”
LL
This article was originally published by The New Arab on Wed 5 Nov 2025. Read the original here.
West Bank witnessed 'unprecedented escalation' in Israeli settler violence in October
This year’s West Bank olive harvest was marred by continued attacks by Israeli settlers and the military, amid the continued expansion of illegal outposts.
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There may be many Israeli groups opposing settlements and settler violence – I imagine all of them struggle to get a hearing and enough funding to keep going.
“Changing Direction” is one such group. They’re launching a new partnership with the (better known?) Refuser Solidarity Network – which is how I heard about them.
According to the co-founder, “Changing Direction” has become in just two years, “one of Israel’s most influential protest movements: not only leading nonviolent resistance, but also expanding it. We recruit new activists, and we train them in the practice and spirit of nonviolent struggle. The ceasefire deal and returning of the hostages have ushered in a new phase. Now we need to utilize the momentum to grow our numbers, organize and strategize around bolder direct actions aimed at justice from the river to the sea”.