Settler violence makes Israel look like ‘bullies and criminals,’ police chief says

Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy has warned that settler violence in the West Bank is significantly damaging Israel's international image, making the country appear as “bullies and criminals.” In a closed-door conversation, Levy stated that a small group is deliberately attacking Palestinians, leading to reputational harm. He noted that “The Americans are fed up. Around the world, we are already perceived as bullies.” Levy also resisted Defense Minister Israel Katz’s proposal to transfer civilian law enforcement responsibility in the West Bank from the IDF to the police, asserting that the IDF remains the sovereign authority. This comes amid increased scrutiny, with UN figures indicating thousands of settler attacks since October 7, displacing over 3,200 Palestinians this year and sharply increasing injuries.