Key facts
- Palestinians in the West Bank town of Sinjil have organized volunteer groups to defend against rising Israeli settler violence.
- The town's municipality has taken primary responsibility for protection, citing perceived inaction from Israeli military and police.
- Since October 2023, settler attacks have killed two people and displaced over 100 from the Bedouin community and 20 families from their homes in Sinjil.
- Residents use searchlights, patrols, and community WhatsApp groups to alert each other and confront potential attackers.
- Israeli authorities have closed four of Sinjil's five entrances and built a wall around the town, isolating it from 2,000 acres of private land.
Palestinians in the West Bank town of Sinjil have organized grassroots volunteer groups to defend themselves against escalating Israeli settler violence, stating they have been left to protect their community due to perceived inaction from Israeli authorities.
These volunteers patrol the hills surrounding the town, use searchlights, and communicate via community WhatsApp groups to alert each other to potential attacks. Fadi Alwan, one of the volunteers, described feeling abandoned and forced to protect their town, noting that settlers are often supported by their government. He recounted personal experiences of settler violence, including being beaten and narrowly missing live bullets.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has approved hundreds of new settlements and outposts, which Palestinians argue are used as staging grounds for violence and aim to thwart a Palestinian state. Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, a view Israel disputes.
Palestinians in Sinjil report that when they contact the Israeli police or military, responses are often delayed or favor the settlers. The Israeli military stated that troops deploy to disperse confrontations but that responsibility for civilian actions lies with the police, who did not respond to a request for comment. The Yesha Council, representing settlers, also did not immediately respond.
Sinjil's isolation has been deepened by Israeli military actions, including the closure of four of its five entrances and the construction of a wall cutting off access to 2,000 acres of private land. Since October 2023, settler attacks have resulted in two deaths and displaced over 100 from the Bedouin community and 20 families from their homes within the town. Residents like Abed Foqahaa have resorted to fortifying their homes after experiencing direct attacks.