Herzog Warned Netanyahu in a September Letter of Severe Consequences From Unchecked Settler Violence, Report Says
JERUSALEM — President Isaac Herzog warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a September 30 letter that unchecked settler violence in the West Bank would bring severe consequences for Israel and for Jews around the world, The Times of Israel reported on November 4.
According to the letter obtained by the newspaper, the warning does not appear to have prompted a policy shift: settler attacks have continued since, and an illegal outpost was recently established inside a Palestinian city in a move the Israel Defense Forces said was not coordinated with the military.
Israel's Channel 12, reporting on the letter the same day, said Herzog also warned Netanyahu and senior security officials that escalating nationalist crime could lead the country toward civil war, describing the phenomenon as akin to an organized crime syndicate. He demanded a comprehensive enforcement plan, including widespread arrests and administrative detention measures. The position puts him at odds with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on enforcement.
Settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank have risen sharply during this year's olive harvest. In October, settlers attacked visiting European diplomats and a journalist, drawing a public condemnation from Herzog at the time. On November 4, as he received the formal election results and opened coalition consultations, Herzog also publicly backed the attorney general and condemned racist rhetoric directed at the Arab community.
Related: Herzog backs attorney general as Shin Bet questioning request is denied
Source: The Times of Israel
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：以色列总统赫尔佐格（右）2026年7月在耶路撒冷与美国驻以色列大使赫卡比握手（资料图）。美国驻耶路撒冷大使馆摄，CC BY 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Israeli President Isaac Herzog (right) shaking hands with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee in Jerusalem, July 2026 (file photo). U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
