Settler attacks and expansion strain Israeli army amid troop shortages
Henry Bodkin
Israel’s military commanders have warned that settler expansion and violence in the West Bank are pushing the army to breaking point.
Jewish attacks on Palestinians have increased so much since the beginning of the war against Iran that formerly silent politicians now warn that it will harm Israel’s security and international standing.
At the same time, the government approved the establishment of new settler outposts in occupied territory. This increased the burden on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which, in addition to the Iran operation, had to protect and monitor outposts waging a new ground war against Hezbollah.
In addition to providing protection to Israeli citizens and settlements in the West Bank, the army is also responsible for ensuring the general level of security in much of the region.
At a meeting of Israel’s security cabinet on Thursday, IDF chief of staff General Eyal Zamir issued an urgent warning that the army needs more troops.
“The IDF will collapse in on itself,” he said. “I’m drawing 10 red flags before you. Before long, the Israeli army will not be ready for its routine missions, and the reserve system will not last long.”
The Israeli army says it is missing about 12,000 soldiers; about 7000 of them are on combat missions.
There are several reasons, including the fact that many people from the increasingly populous Ultra-Orthodox community refuse to serve.
But the rapid expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the accompanying anti-Palestinian violence diverted thousands of troops.
At the same security meeting, Major General Avi Bluth, commander of Israeli forces in the West Bank, publicly warned ministers about the strain on numbers put on policing in the region.
“This is your policy, but it requires security and a full protection package because the reality on the ground has completely changed and this requires manpower,” he told the politicians.
The unusually clear warnings, which were quickly leaked to the press, came after the Israeli Armed Forces were forced to divert an entire infantry battalion earmarked for deployment in Lebanon to the West Bank.
Settler violence against Palestinians has increased dramatically since October 2023.
But human rights groups have warned that this trend has accelerated since Operation Roaring Lion began on February 28.
‘We did not establish it for violent gangs to operate within a Jewish state. I strongly condemn any nationalist violence committed by Jewish extremists in Judea and Samaria.’
Naftali Bennett, former Israeli prime minister
At least seven Palestinians have been killed by settlers in the West Bank during more than 100 reports of violent clashes.
Other flashpoints are understood to have included arson attacks, a serious sexual assault in which the victim was harassed in front of her family, scores of masked men attacking communities at night and the theft and killing of livestock.
In addition to the dead, dozens were injured and many were displaced.
Israel’s political establishment has traditionally downplayed violence in the West Bank or portrayed it as the over-enthusiasm of a handful of young people.
However, recently some important names have begun to oppose this.
These include former prime minister Naftali Bennett and chief rival of Benjamin Netanyahu, who said last week: “We did not establish a Jewish state in which violent gangs could operate.
“I strongly condemn any form of nationalist violence perpetrated by Jewish extremists in Judea and Samaria.”
He added that the majority of settlers were peaceful.
In an interview this week, Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter lamented the damage settler violence is doing to Israel’s reputation and relations with its allies.
Mainstream journalists and TV news programs began talking about “Jewish terrorism” in a way that had previously been the preserve of those on the left.
At the same meeting where manpower crisis warnings were made, the security cabinet reportedly approved the recognition of 30 more “wild cat” police stations, all of which will need police supervision.
Traditionally, the IDF as an institution was thought to be compatible with the more secular segment of Israeli society. However, the ideological structure of the army is changing, the army is becoming more religious and nationalist, especially among the officers.
Human rights groups frequently present evidence showing that soldiers failed to prevent settler violence and, in some cases, actively supported it.
Ironically, given the demands placed on the military by policing the West Bank, the IDF is increasingly reliant on soldiers from the settlements, as they tend to be enthusiastic volunteers.
US President Donald Trump has made clear that he opposes any formal annexation of the West Bank by Israel, a dream of the settler movement.
But critics claim this is already happening.
Saudi Arabia is among the major Middle Eastern powers that have blocked diplomatic relations with Israel, citing in part the situation in the West Bank.
controversial topic
The size of the armed forces in Israel is becoming an increasingly controversial political issue. Since the Hamas atrocity on October 7, 2023, some reservists have spent hundreds of days on duty, often in combat environments.
In addition to post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide cases, resentment towards those who did not serve in the military is also increasing.
A ground assault on southern Lebanon, which could last for years if politicians decide to establish a semi-permanent buffer zone, will only increase the demand for troops.
If Hamas does not disarm, there is a possibility that the conflict in Gaza will restart.
The frequency of military conscription faced by average Israelis is exacerbated by the fact that the government has not yet passed a law that would force the large Ultra-Orthodox community known as Haredim to serve in the military.
Netanyahu is counting on Haredi votes to maintain his ruling coalition.
His political opponents and rivals in this year’s general elections are using the lack of troops to criticize him.
Even some in his own Likud Party expressed disappointment. Knesset member Dan Illouz said: “Being right-wing means security first and foremost.
“You cannot demand annexation, settlement and total victory and then allow the Israel Defense Forces to collapse due to lack of troops.”
Telegraph, London
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