IDF chief says army ‘will not tolerate’ extremist settler attacks in West Bank

During a visit to a major military drill in the West Bank earlier today, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says he “strongly condemns” the recent attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

“We are aware of the recent violent incidents in which Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and Israelis. I strongly condemn them. The IDF will not tolerate phenomena of a criminal minority that stains a law-abiding public,” Zamir says in remarks provided by the IDF.

“These are acts that contradict our values. They cross a red line and divert the attention of our forces from fulfilling their mission, defending the communities, and conducting offensive operations. We are determined to stop this phenomenon and will act on this matter severely until justice is done,” he says.

Zamir also says the exercise involving both of the Central Command’s regional divisions for the first time is “unprecedented.”

“One of our lessons from October 7 is the responsibility for defense and the change in our security concept. We are thwarting threats as they develop. We are doing that here as well,” he says. “The scenarios we have practiced in recent days are ones we must not reach. We need to act and thwart the threat before it reaches our doorstep. That is our duty.”