'Jewish terrorists': Pro-Israel columnist Bret Stephens speaks against West Bank settler violence

Bret Stephens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist and staunch defender of Israel, recently criticized Israel's handling of West Bank settler violence, labeling perpetrators as "Jewish terrorists." He argued that unchecked attacks threaten Israel's security and Zionism itself. Stephens's column referenced a letter from Commanders for Israel's Security to President Trump, warning that escalating violence could ignite the region and harm Israeli and US interests. He cited a significant increase in nationalistic and settler-related crimes, reaching 867 incidents in 2025, up from 682 the previous year. Stephens also highlighted the government's reluctance to use administrative detention against Jewish settlers, a practice routinely applied to suspected Palestinian terrorists. Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T'ruah, supported Stephens's stance, stating, "Even people who are pretty, let's say, hesitant or who almost never criticize Israeli policy are speaking up."