On January 19, 2025, with the ceasefire taking effect and the implementation of the first phase of the hostage release deal, hundreds of Israelis, including many West Bank settlers, went on revenge rampages in Palestinian villages and settlements. The mobs attacked Palestinian residents and caused extensive damage while calling for revenge violence against residents and their villages. They threw stones and attacked residents; set fire to vehicles and houses; and blocked businesses, roads, and village entrances. The organized violence continued through the next day. Many of these violent incidents were planned in advance and published in public social media groups. According to reports, in some locations the army did not intervene, and only two settlers who set fire to houses were arrested, despite the documented participation of hundreds of Israelis in these violent events. The detention of the two who were arrested was not extended, and they were released to their homes. It is not known whether they will be indicted.
Following these events, we contacted the army and police, with urgent demands that they both enforce the law, and work to prevent further outbreaks of violence—in short, we demanded that they protect Palestinians from further attacks. In the appeal, Elza Bugnet from the Legal Department wrote that “the army's failure to protect residents during recent events, and the failure of the police to implement effective enforcement to prevent, as much as possible, the organization, planning and execution of violent events, constitute a dereliction of their basic duties.” She emphasized that the army is obligated to protect Palestinian residents, prevent violence, remove inciting and violent elements from the field, and use their powers of enforcement against settlers who break the law. Bugnet also added that army forces and law enforcement must be instructed that they cannot stand idly by when violent attacks occur. They must act against those who incite violence and racism, and ensure that inciters and the organizers and perpetrators of violence are brought to justice.
ACRI appeal, January 21, 2025