The Settler-State Continuum: Violence as Policy
THE CLAIM: The New Arab article, originating from late 2026, reports on two Palestinians shot at Qalandiya amidst ongoing Israeli settler attacks and army raids in the occupied West Bank. It implicitly distinguishes between 'settler attacks' and actions by 'Israeli forces,' presenting them as separate, albeit concurrent, events. THE EVIDENCE: Public records and human rights reports consistently
demonstrate a blurring of lines between Israeli settlers and the state security apparatus. In many instances, settlers, often armed and organized, operate with de facto impunity, and their actions frequently precipitate the deployment of Israeli security forces. A 2022 report by Yesh Din, an Israeli human rights organization, found that 93% of investigations into settler violence between 2005 and
2022 were closed without indictment. This operational freedom indicates a tacit, if not explicit, coordination or at least a highly permissive environment. THE CONTRADICTIONS: The narrative of distinct settler violence versus official military operations is contradicted by several critical observations. First, many settlers are themselves former or reservist soldiers, maintaining close ties with
active military units. Second, Israeli law effectively extends military jurisdiction to the occupied territories, allowing for immediate state intervention to 'restore order' – order frequently disrupted by settler aggression. The Qalandiya incident, where Palestinians were shot by 'Israeli forces' amidst 'settler attacks,' fits this established pattern. The violence is not random; it serves a