The West Bank Is Burning: Organized Settler Violence Escalates With State Backing

Since regional escalation began in February 2026, the West Bank has witnessed an acceleration of violence and displacement. OCHA has documented more than 150 settler attacks across 90 communities — an average of more than six attacks per day. Organized groups like Hilltop Youth and Ateret Cohanim carry out coordinated arson, livestock theft, and infrastructure attacks with state backing and police protection. Since January 2026, 1,697 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence and access restrictions — already surpassing the total for all of 2025. This piece examines the pattern of organized settler violence, state coordination, and the human cost of ongoing occupation.