Settler Terrorism in the West Bank: Systematic Violence Reshaping Geography Under the Guise of "Legitimacy"

The West Bank is witnessing a disturbing escalation in settler attacks on Palestinian villages and communities, from al-Mughayyir to Jenin and Hebron. These attacks include direct shooting at civilians, deliberate ramming incidents, night raids, and burning of property, in a recurring pattern that creates an environment of constant fear and undermines the foundations of daily life. This pattern cannot be isolated from a broader context, as the violence serves three clear functions: intimidating the population and forcing them into retreat, paving the way for settlement expansion by imposing new realities, and testing the limits of international response in the face of declining accountability. With the repetition of incidents without effective accountability, violence transforms from individual behavior into a political tool used to manage land and people. Legally, this reality raises fundamental questions. According to the Geneva Conventions, the occupying power is responsible for protecting civilian populations and ensuring their security, not leaving them vulnerable to attacks by armed groups. The United Nations Charter also prohibits the use of force (Article 2/4) and upholds the right of peoples to self-determination (Article 1/2), principles that contradict the imposition of facts by force or complacency with systematic violence. In the background, the debate continues regarding the legal basis of the existing reality, especially given the reliance on recommendatory resolutions issued by the UN General Assembly that are not legally binding. As for accountability, international mechanisms—such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice—remain viable paths, although they encounter political complexities that hinder their full activation. Nevertheless, accurate documentation of violations, diplomatic pressure, and leveraging international platforms remain essential tools to raise the cost of these actions and prevent their normalization. The continuation of settler terrorism is no longer merely a security flaw; it is a direct result of the absence of will to apply international law. Therefore, confronting this phenomenon requires parallel action on three interconnected levels: On the ground, effective protection for civilian populations must be provided through international monitoring mechanisms and a field presence that deters attacks and breaks the cycle of fear. Politically, real international pressure is needed to put an end to the policy of impunity and restore the rights of populations under occupation. Legally, it becomes necessary to activate international accountability tools and hold accountable all those proven to be involved or negligent, including holding the occupying power accountable for its failure to fulfill its duty of protection stipulated in the Geneva Conventions. Any power that fails to protect civilians or tolerates attacks against them bears undeniable legal responsibility. With the continuation of this approach, international silence is no longer neutrality, but an indirect partnership in perpetuating violence. At a moment when violations are intensifying, calling things by their names becomes a necessity, not an option: what is happening is terrorism targeting civilians, and confronting it is not only a moral duty but an international legal obligation. Only by activating this commitment and transforming it into deterrent measures can the scene shift from the cycle of repeated bloodshed to the horizon of desired justice.