Escalating violence against Palestinian communities by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, often with the backing of Israeli forces, has intensified in recent weeks, prompting experts and international observers to increasingly characterize these actions as pogroms. The surge in attacks follows a significant raid on Palestinian homes near Nablus by settlers from the illegal Havat Gilad settlement, igniting a cycle of retribution and repression that has led to widespread arrests, home invasions, and ongoing sieges. This pattern of organized, state-supported violence against a civilian population raises profound concerns about the future of Palestinian self-determination and the rule of international law.
Escalation of Settler Violence in the Occupied West Bank
The wave of settler attacks, which have become a grim feature of life in the occupied West Bank, has notably accelerated since October 7, 2023. While such incidents have been a persistent problem for decades, fueled by the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, they have taken on a more brutal and systematic character in the current climate. These assaults encompass the destruction of property, the harassment of residents, and, in some instances, lethal force.
The most recent spate of intensified violence has seen Israeli military forces raid numerous Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps. These operations, often conducted under the guise of security, have resulted in a mounting number of arrests, extensive home searches, and a continued barrage of settler-led assaults. The systematic nature of these actions, coupled with the alleged complicity of Israeli authorities, is central to the growing consensus that these incidents qualify as pogroms.
The Siege of Qusra and International Condemnation
A particularly stark example of the current wave of violence is the ongoing 15-day siege imposed on three families, totaling 15 individuals including two children, in the village of Qusra. This prolonged confinement, cutting off essential supplies and instilling fear, drew a rare public condemnation from U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, earlier this month. Such international scrutiny, while notable, has done little to deter the relentless pressure on Palestinian communities.
The situation in Qusra highlights a disturbing new tactic: settlers establish a temporary presence, often a tent, adjacent to Palestinian homes. This is followed by a siege, where water and other necessities are cut off, and agricultural lands are damaged or livestock harmed. Crucially, instead of removing the perpetrators, Israeli soldiers often arrive to detain or ostensibly "protect" the Palestinian families, effectively displacing them from their homes. In Qusra, this involved consolidating besieged families into a single dwelling while Israeli forces occupied another, reportedly throwing furniture and belongings out of its windows.
Israel’s Settlement Expansion and the E1 Project
This escalating violence is occurring against a backdrop of continued Israeli settlement expansion, which is considered illegal under international law. Approximately 780,000 Israeli settlers now reside in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, spread across 192 settlements and 400 outposts. These settlements increasingly dominate Area C, which is under full Israeli civil and military control, and the Jordan Valley, raising concerns about the fragmentation of Palestinian territory.
The Israeli government’s steadfast advancement of plans for the controversial E1 (East 1) settlement project near Jerusalem is particularly concerning. Human rights organizations warn that the E1 settlement would effectively bisect the West Bank, severely impeding Palestinian movement and jeopardizing the viability of a future Palestinian state. This strategic settlement expansion, often accompanied by settler violence, is seen by many as a deliberate effort to consolidate Israeli control and dispossess Palestinians.
Understanding the Definition of a Pogrom
The increasing use of the term "pogrom" to describe these attacks stems from its historical and dictionary definitions, which resonate with the observed patterns of violence. While dictionary definitions vary slightly, they generally point to organized, often state-sanctioned, violence targeting a specific group based on their race or religion.
The Collins Dictionary defines a pogrom as "organised, official violence against a group of people for racial or religious reasons," explicitly including state-backed violence. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary describes it as "the organised killing of large numbers of people, because of their race or religion." Merriam-Webster defines it as "an organised massacre of helpless people," with a specific historical reference to massacres of Jews. The Cambridge Dictionary similarly defines it as "an act of organised cruel behaviour or killing that is done to a large group of people because of their race or religion."
Historically, the term originated from the Yiddish word for violent, organized mob attacks against Jewish communities, notably during the Russian Empire following the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881. It is important to note that, unlike legal terms such as "crimes against humanity" or "genocide," "pogrom" does not have a formal, established legal definition under international law. However, its descriptive power lies in its ability to convey the systematic, brutal, and often state-tolerated nature of the violence.
Experts and Officials Label West Bank Attacks as Pogroms
The designation of settler attacks as pogroms is not confined to academic circles or Palestinian activists; it is a label increasingly adopted by international observers, UN officials, and even some Israeli figures. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, has explicitly described Israeli attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank as "pogroms against defenceless civilians."
This characterization gained significant traction following the violent settler rampage in Huwara and surrounding Palestinian communities on February 26, 2023. After two Israeli settlers were killed, hundreds of settlers attacked Palestinian homes and businesses, resulting in one Palestinian death, hundreds of injuries, and widespread destruction. The then-commander of the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank, Yehuda Fuchs, openly called the settler attack a "pogrom," a designation also noted by the U.S. State Department in its reports.
The Israeli-Palestinian human rights organization B’Tselem has also employed the term, particularly after the February 2023 events. A subsequent report by B’Tselem, titled "The pogroms are working – the transfer is already happening," argued that settler attacks were a deliberate tool for the ethnic cleansing and displacement of Palestinian communities. Yair Dvir, a spokesperson for B’Tselem, stated that settler violence has become "more violent, more systematic and, most importantly, part of a state mechanism intended to ethnically cleanse large parts of the West Bank." He further alleged that the Israeli government funds and arms settlers, while the military often stands by or actively participates, leading to the expulsion of Palestinian communities and the seizure of vast tracts of land.
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, named after Raphael Lemkin, who coined the term "genocide," has also referred to settler attacks on villages like Al-Mughayyir as pogroms. Reports from the institute detail how hundreds of armed settlers attacked residents, burned buildings and cars, while soldiers observed without intervention. The Israeli military’s actions in Al-Mughayyir in 2025, including the uprooting of thousands of Palestinian olive trees, further underscore the systematic nature of these actions.
Raheel Dhattiwala, an Indian scholar specializing in collective violence, commented that West Bank attacks align with the characteristics of a pogrom: "systematic targeting of one civilian group by another with state approval." She noted that while the precise terminology might be debated, "it is accurate to call settler violence systematic attacks of occupiers, with government approval, on groups of occupied people."
The Systemic Nature of Settler Violence and Displacement
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has meticulously documented the scale and pace of settler-related attacks. Between January and late July of the current year, OCHA recorded over 1,330 such incidents, averaging six per day – the highest rate since systematic tracking began two decades ago.
Furthermore, a UN-appointed commission of inquiry has found that Israeli authorities have consistently failed to prevent foreseeable settler attacks and, in some cases, have actively facilitated them through military protection, the provision of weapons, and financial support. This alleged state complicity transforms isolated acts of violence into a broader strategy.
The impact of settler violence, demolitions, and evictions has been devastating for Palestinian communities. OCHA reported that in the first four months of the current year, more Palestinians were forcibly displaced due to settler violence than in the entirety of the previous year. Since January 2023, approximately 107 communities, comprising 5,900 Palestinians, have been fully or partially displaced. The Israeli military has also expelled an additional 32,000 Palestinians from their homes in the occupied West Bank since January 2025, effectively emptying refugee camps like Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams.
Broader Implications and Consequences
The labeling of these attacks as pogroms carries significant weight, drawing parallels to historical atrocities and highlighting the perceived systemic intent behind the violence. It suggests a coordinated effort to intimidate, displace, and ultimately remove Palestinians from their land, a process that human rights groups argue is contributing to ethnic cleansing.
The systematic nature of these attacks, often involving the destruction of livelihoods, homes, and cultural sites, has profound psychological and social consequences for Palestinian communities. The constant threat of violence and displacement creates an environment of pervasive fear and instability, eroding social cohesion and hindering development.
The ongoing expansion of settlements, exemplified by the E1 project, coupled with the surge in settler violence, poses a significant obstacle to any lasting peace settlement. It undermines the possibility of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state, further entrenching Israeli control over the occupied territories. The international community’s response, while sometimes critical, has largely failed to translate into effective measures to halt the violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
The Path Forward and Accountability
The increasing use of the term "pogrom" signifies a growing international recognition of the severity and systematic nature of settler violence in the West Bank. It calls for a more robust and concerted international response to address the root causes of this violence, including the illegal settlement enterprise and the alleged complicity of Israeli authorities.
Holding perpetrators accountable, whether settlers or state actors, is crucial for deterring future violence and ensuring justice for the victims. This requires not only condemnation but also tangible actions, such as sanctions, legal investigations, and pressure on the Israeli government to enforce international law and protect Palestinian civilians. Without such measures, the cycle of violence and displacement is likely to continue, with devastating consequences for the region.
