Nationalist crime is the match that could ignite the West Bank, IDF warns political leadership

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz that nationalist crime is pushing the West Bank to the brink of explosion. During an unexpected meeting, they presented data showing a decline in Palestinian terrorism but a rise in nationalist crime, which Bluth described as “like a match that can ignite everything in an instant.” The military expressed concern that these incidents are diverting resources from counter-terrorism efforts and generating international pressure, particularly from the United States. The increase in nationalist crime coincides with a recent acceleration in the evacuation of illegal outposts, leading to heightened incitement against senior IDF commanders.