IDF is falling short by not protecting Palestinians in West Bank at critical moment for legitimacy

• Published date: 16 April 2024
• Author: YONAH JEREMY BOB
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Since the weekend, there have been at least three such significant incidents, and while the IDF and police are both said to be investigating, it is unclear what efforts were made to prevent the actions of Jewish extremists, making these moves ineffective

In contrast to the battlefield, where the IDF has robust – if imperfect – mechanisms for reviewing errors or rogue actions against Palestinians, the preventing or prosecution of Jewish attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank often falls into a black hole.

Over the past few days, clashes broke out between Jews and Palestinians, resulting in multiple injuries. The spike came after a Palestinian terrorist murdered 14-year-old shepherd Binyamin Achimair, whose body was found near the outpost he lived on.

Though he was murdered on Friday, his death was only confirmed Saturday afternoon, and the clashes that ensued were the most significant since February 2023.

At the time, at least dozens of extremists burned large swaths of Palestinian property in Huwara in the West Bank, injuring several Palestinians and killing at least one.

The IDF said it had significantly beefed up its forces in the area to try to maintain order, but it was on a significant delay on multiple revenge attacks, including arson.

After Huwara, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi publicly apologized for the slow response and the failure to protect Palestinians. The army would prepare to be better readied for future potential attacks, he said.

One area attacked by Jewish extremists was Duma, a town south of Nablus, while Israeli, Arab, and US media all reported attacks in Mughayir, near Jenin and Nablus; Deir Dibwan, near Ramallah; and Beitin, near Ramallah.

There were reports of Palestinian attacks as well. Many reports noted dozens of arson attacks on cars or structures.

As of Tuesday, the IDF had no update on the violence over the weekend.

Security footage from Saturday in which alleged masked Jewish extremists can be seen entering a garage, pouring gasoline, and then igniting a fire on a white Palestinian car in Deir Dibwan was posted by the human-rights organization Yesh Din on Sunday.

The video appears to show soldiers forming a perimeter around the extremists, as if to safeguard them, with those in uniform able to see the arson but doing nothing to stop it or detain the perpetrators afterward.IDF Central Command was said to be probing the incident, but as of Tuesday, there had been no progress.

In a third incident, two Palestinians...