Shin Bet chief said to downplay Jewish terrorism in West Bank as ‘friction’

Unit tasked with combating attacks reportedly in crisis amid failure to counter surge in violence, as former heads of security forces and settler movement call for urgent action

Shin Bet chief David Zini has downplayed settler attacks on Palestinians, leading to a crisis in the agency’s Jewish Division, according to a Friday report, even as former security chiefs and some in the settler movement’s old guard warned of the need to crack down on the soaring violence.

Security sources cited by Haaretz on Friday said Zini, who is affiliated with an ultraconservative yeshiva and has identified as “messianic,” refers to the settler attacks as instances of “friction,” rather than terrorism. They added that he has not given priority to stemming the rising tide of violence.

Settler attacks on Palestinians, including killings, have consistently been on the rise in recent months and are reported daily in the West Bank, but rarely prosecuted.

This week saw a letter signed by 22 former security chiefs warn that “an extremist group, backed by irresponsible ministers and enabled by the silence of a prime minister, cannot be allowed to destroy the Zionist enterprise and Israel’s security.”

The former police and army chiefs and Shin Bet and Mossad leaders demanded action “before a black flag stains the blue-and-white flag.”

They added: “The rampant Jewish terrorism in Judea and Samaria, carried out under governmental auspices, is not only a moral disgrace but also a severe strategic blow to Israel’s national security.”

They said that the lack of enforcement “fuels Palestinian terrorism and serves Iranian interests; undermines Jewish morals and values; and fuels antisemitism while eroding Israel’s international legitimacy.”

Another figure joining those sounding the alarm over settler violence this week was Pinchas Wallerstein, the former director-general of the Yesha Council settlement umbrella group and former chairman of the Binyamin Regional Council.

Wallerstein told Haaretz that “beyond the fact that this is a crime, and that these people should be put in prison, it is a violation of state sovereignty. It’s a betrayal of the State of Israel, nothing less. These acts are unforgivable.

“I appeal to the leadership: If you remain silent, you will be responsible for destruction, he added. “Silence, too, can lead to bloodshed.”

Shin Bet in crisis

A former senior Shin Bet official described as having knowledge of the matter was quoted as saying: “There is no understanding in the Shin Bet today that the Jewish terrorism in the West Bank can lead to an intifada,” referring to a violent Palestinian uprising.

One source quoted by Haaretz said some of the division’s most experienced staffers had recently asked to transfer to other units because of the division’s failure in combating settler violence. Another said the division had seen its resources reduced since Zini took office.

According to sources cited by Haaretz, Shin Bet agents have expressed concerns about the “politicization” of the agency, while some have accused the IDF of failing to handle settler violence, even when carried out by settlers on active reserve duty.

In addition, senior sources were quoted saying the police and the Shin Bet lack “legal tools” to stop settler violence, with police officials reportedly angry that courts had released several suspects in recent weeks, even when cops had evidence that the suspects had committed crimes.

The report said there has been growing distrust between the Shin Bet and the police since National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir took office in late 2022 and became overseer of the police. The distrust reportedly intensified following allegations that the head of the police’s West Bank division ignored settler violence to curry favor with Ben Gvir, and the removal last year of the Shin Bet’s Jewish Division chief after he said some extremist settlers are arrested without evidence.