Editing Israeli settlement (section)

== Violence ==

=== Israeli settler violence ===
{{Main|Israeli settler violence}}
[[File:Gas the Arabs painted in Hebron.jpg|thumb|"Gas the Arabs"; graffiti on the door of a home in [[Hebron]], 2008]]
[[File:VandalisedOliveTree.jpg|thumb|Olive trees in the village of Burin allegedly vandalized by settlers from the settlement [[Yitzhar]] in November 2009]]

[[Gush Emunim Underground]] was a militant organization that operated in 1979–1984. The organization planned attacks on Palestinian officials and the [[Dome of the Rock]].<ref name="nytimes1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/world/middleeast/26settlers.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&ref=middleeast&pagewanted=all|title=Radical Settlers Take on Israel|work=The New York Times|date=25 September 2008|first=Isabel|last=Kershner|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107061313/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/world/middleeast/26settlers.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&ref=middleeast&pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="jta1">{{Cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/10/08/110707/jextreme|title=Radical settlers using violence against Jews|date=8 October 2008|first=Dina|last=Kraft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509235507/http://www.jta.org/news/article/2008/10/08/110707/jextreme|archive-date=9 May 2012}}</ref> In 1994, [[Baruch Goldstein]] of Hebron, a member of [[Kach and Kahane Chai|Kach]] carried out the [[Cave of the Patriarchs massacre]], killing 29 Muslim worshipers and injuring 125. The attack was widely condemned by the Israeli government and Jewish community. The Palestinian leadership has accused Israel of "encouraging and enabling" settler violence in a bid to provoke Palestinian riots and violence in retaliation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?ID=278297|title=Erekat: Settler violence reflects Israeli policy|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=27 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827204156/http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?ID=278297|url-status=dead}}</ref> Violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians constitutes terrorism according to the U.S. Department of State, and former IDF Head of Central Command Avi Mizrahi stated that such violence constitutes "terror."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/u-s-settler-violence-is-terror-1.5286369|title=U.S. State Department defines settler violence as terrorism|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=13 July 2021|archive-date=13 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713145602/https://www.haaretz.com/u-s-settler-violence-is-terror-1.5286369|url-status=live}}</ref>

In mid-2008, a UN report recorded 222 acts of [[Israeli settler violence]] against Palestinians and IDF troops compared with 291 in 2007.<ref name="bbc1">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7647991.stm|title='Hundreds join' settler violence|date=2 October 2008|access-date=28 July 2016|via=bbc.co.uk|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234333/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7647991.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> This trend reportedly increased in 2009.<ref name="HaaretzViolentSettlers">[http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/top-idf-officer-warns-settlers-radical-fringe-growing-1.5787 Top IDF officer warns: Settlers' radical fringe growing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924231013/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/top-idf-officer-warns-settlers-radical-fringe-growing-1.5787 |date=24 September 2015 }} Haaretz 20 October 2009</ref> Maj-Gen Shamni said that the number had risen from a few dozen individuals to hundreds, and called it "a very grave phenomenon."<ref name="bbc1" /> In 2008–2009, the defense establishment adopted a harder line against the extremists.<ref name="HaaretzViolentSettlers" /> This group responded with a tactic dubbed "[[Price tag attack policy|price tagging]]", vandalizing Palestinian property whenever police or soldiers were sent in to dismantle outposts.<ref name="Price Tag">{{Cite news|last=Hider|first=James|date=15 October 2009|title=West Bank settlers use 'price tag' tactic to punish Palestinians|work=The Times|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6875304.ece|access-date=16 October 2009|location=London|archive-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716091837/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6875304.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> From January through to September 2013, 276 attacks by settlers against Palestinians were recorded.<ref>[[Amira Hass]], [http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.549558 'Gambling on Blair's Palestinian casino,'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001071228/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.549558 |date=1 October 2013 }} at [[Haaretz]] 1 October 2013. The statistics included 527 residential demolitions and 862 Palestinians uprooted from their homes.</ref>

Leading religious figures in the West Bank have harshly criticized these tactics. Rabbi [[Menachem Froman]] of [[Tekoa, Gush Etzion|Tekoa]] said that "Targeting Palestinians and their property is a shocking thing, ... It's an act of hurting humanity. ... This builds a wall of fire between Jews and Arabs."<ref name="ynetnews.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3725186,00.html |title=Rabbi slams Jewish 'hooligans' – Israel News, Ynetnews |newspaper=Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |access-date=2016-06-10 |last1=Weiss |first1=Efrat |archive-date=28 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028075534/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3725186,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Yesha Council and [[Hanan Porat]] also condemned such actions.<ref>Israel – Rabbi Harshly Condemns Violence by Jewish Hooligans Against Arabs, 2 June 2009</ref> Other rabbis have been accused of inciting violence against non-Jews.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article497358.ece|title=Login|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=31 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531224258/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article497358.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> In response to settler violence, the Israeli government said that it would increase law enforcement and cut off aid to illegal outposts.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/world/middleeast/03mideast.html "Israel Acts to Cut Off Funds to Illegal Settlements"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105173014/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/world/middleeast/03mideast.html |date=5 January 2018 }} article by [[Isabel Kershner]] in ''[[The New York Times]]'' 2 November 2008.</ref> Some settlers are thought to lash out at Palestinians because they are "easy victims."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.coxwashington.com/hp/content/reporters/stories/2008/07/8/17/2008/08/25/ISRAEL_SETTLERCRIME17_COX.html|title=Settlers Increase Attacks on Palestinians in West Bank|first=Robert W.|last=Gee|date=25 August 2008}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The United Nations accused Israel of failing to intervene and arrest settlers suspected of violence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_settler_violence_fact_sheet_2009_11_15_english.pdf |title=ISRAELI SETTLER VIOLENCE AND THE EVACUATION OF OUTPOSTS (UN OCHAOPT, November 2009) |access-date=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706020109/http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_settler_violence_fact_sheet_2009_11_15_english.pdf |archive-date=6 July 2010 }}</ref> In 2008, Haaretz wrote that "Israeli society has become accustomed to seeing lawbreaking settlers receive special treatment and no other group could similarly attack Israeli law enforcement agencies without being severely punished."<ref name="haaretz2">{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1031614.html|title=Defeat settler terror|newspaper=[[Haaretz]]|date=27 October 2008|access-date=19 March 2010|archive-date=27 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427075708/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1031614.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2011, settlers vandalized a mosque and an army base. They slashed tires and cut cables of 12 army vehicles and sprayed graffiti.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-settlers-vandalize-idf-base-in-first-price-tag-act-against-army-1.383068 Israeli settlers vandalize IDF base in first 'price tag' act against army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908053947/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-settlers-vandalize-idf-base-in-first-price-tag-act-against-army-1.383068 |date=8 September 2011 }}, Haaretz</ref> In November 2011, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) in the Palestinian territories published a report on settler violence that showed a significant rise compared to 2009 and 2010. The report covered physical violence and property damage such as uprooted olive trees, damaged tractors and slaughtered sheep. The report states that 90% of complaints filed by Palestinians have been closed without charge.<ref>United Nations, November 2011, [http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_settler_violence_FactSheet_October_2011_english.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124181820/http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_settler_violence_FactSheet_October_2011_english.pdf|date=24 November 2011}}. Retrieved 8 November 2011</ref>

According to EU reports, Israel has created an "atmosphere of impunity" for Jewish attackers, which is seen as tantamount to tacit approval by the state. In the West Bank, Jews and Palestinians live under two different legal regimes and it is difficult for Palestinians to lodge complaints, which must be filed in Hebrew in Israeli settlements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/24/115593|title=EU report notes huge increase in Jewish settler attacks|date=14 March 2012|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=3 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503233154/http://euobserver.com/24/115593|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 27 ministers of foreign affairs of the European Union published a report in May 2012 strongly denouncing policies of the State of Israel in the West Bank and denouncing "continuous settler violence and deliberate provocations against Palestinian civilians."<ref name="haaretz.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/eu-israel-s-policies-in-the-west-bank-endanger-two-state-solution-1.5155104|title=EU: Israel's policies in the West Bank endanger two-state solution|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=13 July 2021|archive-date=8 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408142847/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/eu-israel-s-policies-in-the-west-bank-endanger-two-state-solution-1.430421|url-status=live}}</ref> The report by all EU ministers called "on the government of Israel to bring the perpetrators to justice and to comply with its obligations under international law."<ref name="haaretz.com" />

In July 2014, a day after the burial of [[2014 kidnapping and murder of Israeli teenagers|three murdered Israeli teens]], Khdeir, a 16-year-old [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]], was forced into a car by 3 Israeli settlers on an [[East Jerusalem]] street. His family immediately reported the fact to [[Israel Police|Israeli Police]] who located his charred body a few hours later at [[Givat Shaul]] in the [[Jerusalem Forest]]. Preliminary results from the autopsy suggested that he was beaten and burnt while still alive.<ref name="20140706NYT">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/07/world/middleeast/israel-palestinians-muhammad-abu-khdeir.html?_r=0 |title=Suspects Arrested in Death of Palestinian Youth, Israeli Police Say |last=Kershner |first=Isabel |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=6 July 2014 |access-date=6 July 2014 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714132330/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/07/world/middleeast/israel-palestinians-muhammad-abu-khdeir.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Autopsy">{{cite news |url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=710089 |title=Official: Autopsy shows Palestinian youth burnt alive |publisher=[[Ma'an News Agency]] |date=5 July 2014 |access-date=6 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708195202/http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=710089 |archive-date=8 July 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Maan: Palestinian teen abducted">{{cite news |url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=709299 |title=Palestinian teen abducted, killed in suspected revenge attack |publisher=[[Ma'an News Agency]] |date=2 July 2014 |access-date=6 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707041441/http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=709299 |archive-date=7 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-teen-said-found-dead-in-jerusalem-forest/ |title = Arab teen killed in capital; revenge attack suspected |last1 = Ben Zion|first1 = Ilan|date = 2 July 2014 |newspaper = The Times of Israel |access-date = 2014-07-04 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140702184325/http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-teen-said-found-dead-in-jerusalem-forest/ |archive-date = 2014-07-02 |last2 = Berman |first2 = Lazar}}</ref> The murder suspects explained the attack as a response to the [[2014 kidnapping and murder of Israeli teenagers|June abduction and murder of three Israeli teens]].<ref name="Sharon">Assaf Sharon, [http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2014/sep/25/failure-gaza "Failure in Gaza"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919042513/http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2014/sep/25/failure-gaza/ |date=19 September 2015 }}, ''[[New York Review of Books]]'', 25 September 2014, pp. 20–24.</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url = http://www.kcra.com/news/family-of-slain-palestinian-teen-lives-in-sacramento/26792470#!8p7a7|title = Family of slain Palestinian teen lives in Sacramento|last = Hoff|first = Mallory|date = 3 July 2014|work = KCRA Television Sacramento|access-date = 4 July 2014|archive-date = 14 July 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714221415/http://www.kcra.com/news/family-of-slain-palestinian-teen-lives-in-sacramento/26792470#!8p7a7|url-status = live}}</ref> The murders contributed to a breakout of hostilities in the [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict]].<ref name="NT Times">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/09/world/middleeast/israel-steps-up-offensive-against-hamas-in-gaza.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220103/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/09/world/middleeast/israel-steps-up-offensive-against-hamas-in-gaza.html |archive-date=2022-01-03 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Israel and Hamas Trade Attacks as Tension Rises | work=The New York Times | date=8 July 2014 | access-date=13 November 2014 |author1=Eranger, Steven |author2=Kershner, Isabel }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In July 2015, a similar incident occurred where Israeli settlers made an arson attack on two [[Palestinians|Palestinian]] houses, one of which was empty; however, the other was occupied, resulting in the burning to death of a Palestinian infant; the four other members of his family were evacuated to the hospital suffering serious injuries.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heruti |first=Tali |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/1.668871 |title=Palestinian Infant Burned to Death in West Bank Arson Attack; IDF Blames 'Jewish Terror' – Israel |newspaper=Haaretz |date=2015-07-31 |access-date=2016-06-10 |archive-date=2 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802171636/http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/1.668871 |url-status=live }}</ref> These two incidents received condemnation from the United States, European Union and the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]].<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news |last=Heruti |first=Tali |url=http://www.haaretz.com/beta/.premium-1.668911 |title=EU, U.S. State Department Condemn 'Vicious' West Bank Arson Attack – Diplomacy and Defense |newspaper=Haaretz |date=2015-07-31 |access-date=2016-06-10 |archive-date=28 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928222516/http://www.haaretz.com/beta/.premium-1.668911 |url-status=live }}</ref> The European Union criticized Israel for "failing to protect the Palestinian population".<ref name="ReferenceA" />

=== Olive trees ===
While the [[economy of the Palestinian territories]] has shown signs of growth, the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]] reported that Palestinian olive farming has suffered. According to the ICRC, 10,000 olive trees were cut down or burned by settlers in 2007–2010.<ref name="BBC1">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8519921.stm Israel makes life very hard for Palestinians, says ICRC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220212243/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8519921.stm |date=20 February 2010 }} (BBC, 17 February 2010)</ref><ref name="btselem5">{{cite web|url=http://www.btselem.org/english/Settler_Violence/20061029_Olive_Harvest.asp|title=29 October 06: B'Tselem Urges the Security Forces to Prepare for the Olive Harvest|publisher=[[B'Tselem]]|date=29 October 2006|access-date=11 March 2010|archive-date=17 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317064617/http://www.btselem.org/english/Settler_Violence/20061029_Olive_Harvest.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Foreign ministry spokesman [[Yigal Palmor]] said the report ignored official PA data showing that the economic situation of Palestinians had improved substantially, citing Mahmoud Abbas's comment to ''[[The Washington Post]]'' in May 2009, where he said "in the West Bank, we have a good reality, the people are living a normal life."<ref name="BBC1" />

''Haaretz'' blamed the violence during the olive harvest on a handful of extremists.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.5123070|title=Palestinians: Settlers attacked our olive trees|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=13 July 2021|archive-date=13 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713145607/https://www.haaretz.com/1.5123070|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, trees belonging to both Jews and Arabs were cut down, poisoned or torched. In the first two weeks of the harvest, 500 trees owned by Palestinians and 100 trees owned by Jews had been vandalized.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/current-olive-harvest-most-violent-in-years-defense-document-reveals-1.319892 Current olive harvest most violent in years, defense document reveals] ''Haaretz'' 19 October 2010.</ref> In October 2013, 100 trees were cut down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/10/19/israeli-settlerschopdown100treesinwestbankvillage.html|title=Israeli settlers accused of destroying Palestinian olive trees|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=23 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923160738/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/10/19/israeli-settlerschopdown100treesinwestbankvillage.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Violent attacks on olive trees seem to be facilitated by the apparently systematic refusal of the Israeli authorities to allow Palestinians to visit their own groves, sometimes for years, especially in cases where the groves are deemed to be too close to settlements.<ref>{{cite book|last=Barahona|first=Ana|title=Bearing Witness: Eight Weeks in Palestine|publisher=Metete|location=London |isbn=978-1-908099-02-0|year=2013|pages=23, 26}}</ref>

=== Palestinian violence against settlers ===
Israeli civilians<ref name="hrw1" /> living in settlements have been targeted by violence from armed Palestinian groups. These groups, according to Human Rights Watch, assert that settlers are "legitimate targets" that have "forfeited their civilian status by residing in settlements that are illegal under international humanitarian law."<ref name="hrw1">{{cite book|last=Human Rights Watch|author-link=Human Rights Watch|title=Erased in a moment: Suicide Bombing Attacks Against Israeli Civilians|year=2002|chapter=Civilian Residents of Illegal Settlements as "Legitimate Targets"|chapter-url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2002/isrl-pa/ISRAELPA1002-04.htm#P663_145772|url=https://archive.org/details/erasedinmomentsu00stor|isbn=978-1-56432-280-7|url-access=registration}}</ref> Both Human Rights Watch and B'tselem rejected this argument on the basis that the legal status of the settlements has no effect on the civilian status of their residents.<ref name="hrw1" /><ref name="btselem1" /> Human Rights Watch said the "prohibition against intentional attacks against civilians is absolute."<ref name="hrw1" /> B'tselem said "The settlers constitute a distinctly civilian population, which is entitled to all the protections granted civilians by international law. The Israeli security forces' use of land in the settlements or the membership of some settlers in the Israeli security forces does not affect the status of the other residents living among them, and certainly does not make them proper targets of attack."<ref name="btselem1">{{cite web|url=http://www.btselem.org/english/Israeli_Civilians/Index.asp|title=Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians|publisher=B'Tselem|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=4 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604184529/http://www.btselem.org/English/Israeli_Civilians/index.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fatal attacks on settlers have included [[List of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, 2002–2006#2004|firing of rockets and mortars]] and [[drive-by shooting]]s, also targeting infants and children. Violent incidents include the [[murder of Shalhevet Pass]], a ten-month-old baby shot by a Palestinian sniper in Hebron,<ref name="funeral">{{Cite news|first=Deborah |last=Sontag |title=Israeli Baby's Funeral Becomes Focus of Settler Militancy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/02/world/02MIDE.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2 April 2001 |access-date=17 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114204746/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/02/world/02MIDE.html |archive-date=14 November 2013}}</ref> and the [[Murder of Koby Mandell and Yosef Ishran|murder of two teenagers]] by unknown perpetrators on 8 May 2001, whose bodies were hidden in a cave near [[Tekoa, Gush Etzion|Tekoa]], a crime that Israeli authorities suggest may have been committed by Palestinian terrorists.<ref>{{cite news|title=Casualties of war|url=http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/CasualtiesOfWar/2001_05_09.html|last=Dudkevitch|first=Margot|author2=Herb Keinon|date=5 May 2001|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=15 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713122209/http://info.jpost.com/C002/Supplements/CasualtiesOfWar/2001_05_09.html|archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref> In the [[Bat Ayin axe attack]], children in [[Bat Ayin]] were attacked by a Palestinian wielding an axe and a knife. A 13-year-old boy was killed and another was seriously wounded.<ref name="teen">[http://www.ynet.co.il/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3696287,00.html Teen killed in West Bank terror attack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923062123/https://www.ynet.co.il/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3696287,00.html |date=23 September 2018 }}, Ynet News, 4 February 2009</ref> [[Killing of Rabbi Meir Hai|Rabbi Meir Hai]], a father of seven, was killed in a drive-by shooting.<ref name="shot">[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1261364500139&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull Father of seven shot dead in West Bank terror attack]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Jerusalem Post'', 25 December 2009</ref><ref name="six">Ethan Bronner, [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/world/middleeast/27mideast.html Israeli Military Kills 6 Palestinians] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614203339/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/world/middleeast/27mideast.html |date=14 June 2018 }}, ''New York Times'', 26 December 2009</ref> In August 2011, five members of one family were killed in their beds. The victims were the father Ehud (Udi) Fogel, the mother Ruth Fogel, and three of their six children—Yoav, 11, Elad, 4, and Hadas, the youngest, a three-month-old infant. According to [[David Ha'ivri]],<ref name="rallies">{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=211991|title=Rallies held around country in response to Itamar attacks|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=2 May 2012|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023064741/http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=211991|url-status=live}}</ref> and as reported by multiple sources,<ref name="wjd">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldjewishdaily.com/fogel-suspects.php|title=Fogel Family Murderers Arrested|work=World Jewish Daily|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306225108/http://worldjewishdaily.com/fogel-suspects.php|archive-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> the infant was decapitated.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8402973/A-family-slaughtered-in-Israel-doesn%27t-the-BBC-care.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114014719/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8402973/A-family-slaughtered-in-Israel-doesn%27t-the-BBC-care.html |archive-date=14 January 2013 |title=A family slaughtered in Israel – doesn't the BBC care? |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |access-date=16 April 2011 |first=Louise |last=Bagshawe |date=24 March 2011}}</ref>

==== Pro-Palestinian activist violence ====
[[File:Itamar2.jpg|thumb|[[Itamar (settlement)|Itamar]], West Bank. Itamar's residents have been the target of deadly attacks by Palestinian militants. Itamar settlers have also committed violent acts against local Palestinians.]]
[[File:Bodies wrapped in tallit at funeral in Givat Shaul (Fogel family).jpg|thumb| Funeral of Fogel family, killed in [[Itamar attack]]]]
Pro-Palestinian activists who hold regular protests near the settlements have been accused of stone-throwing, physical assault and provocation.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3474845,00.html 3 Palestinians, left-wing activist suspected of uprooting trees at outpost] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823190546/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3474845,00.html |date=23 August 2012 }}, ynetnews</ref><ref>[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/123467 Arabs, Left-Wing Extremists Uproot Jewish Vineyard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003131006/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/123467 |date=3 October 2009 }}, arutz sheva</ref><ref>[http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3834882,00.html stone throwing Naalin protest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020050813/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3834882,00.html |date=20 October 2012 }}, ynet</ref> In 2008, Avshalom Peled, head of the [[Israel Police]]'s Hebron district, called "left-wing" activity in the city dangerous and provocative, and accused activists of antagonizing the settlers in the hope of getting a reaction.<ref>{{cite news|title=Police: Leftists in Hebron more dangerous than right-wing counterparts|first=Efrat|last=Weiss|newspaper=Ynetnews|date=16 June 2008|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3556322,00.html|access-date=21 March 2010|archive-date=9 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309132144/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3556322,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>