Kathmandu— Israeli settlers have been attacking Palestinian towns and villages across the occupied West Bank for months, often with impunity, culminating in a recent siege of Qusra village that drew rare condemnation from an Israeli government spokesperson. While officials like David Mercer have called the settlers’ actions “deplorable” and promised investigation, analysts and campaigners argue these statements are disingenuous, pointing to systemic complicity within the Israeli military and government in enabling settler violence with the ultimate goal of Palestinian displacement and land annexation.

Government Condemnation Met With Skepticism

Events in Qusra, where settlers have laid siege to three Palestinian households since Sunday, prompted a statement from Israeli spokesperson David Mercer calling the actions “unacceptable.” However, analysts reacted with disbelief, noting the military’s inability to halt the siege and initial reports of soldiers mingling with settlers. Aida Touma-Sliman, an Israeli parliamentarian representing the left-wing Hadash party, told Al Jazeera that government attempts to distance themselves from the violence are “ridiculous,” asserting they are actively complicit.

Settler Violence as State Policy

Observers suggest a clear link between settler actions and broader state objectives. Yair Dvir of the Israeli rights organization B’Tselem stated, “Let’s be clear, settler violence is state violence.” He explained that both settlers and the government share the same aims: displacing Palestinians and seizing their land. The speed and brutality of Israel's encroachment on Palestinian territory has increased in recent months, coinciding with the approach of October elections and a potential shift in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition.

Escalation Ahead of Elections

Neve Gordon, a professor of International Law at Queen Mary University, London, believes an escalation of violence is being deliberately sought in the lead-up to the election. He explained that the vote serves as a “rallying cry” for settlers who fear losing support within a potential new government. The Israeli government has largely refrained from distancing itself from settler actions; prominent members of Netanyahu’s Likud party have even attended conferences focused on ethnically cleansing Gaza, and Netanyahu recently promised to recognize more illegal settlements.

Key Figures Driving Settlement Expansion

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are central figures in the expansion of illegal settlements. Smotrich has overseen an unprecedented rate of settlement growth and announced the E1 settlement project, effectively making a two-state solution impossible. However, Gordon cautioned against focusing solely on these individuals, arguing that broader complicity extends to the police, attorney general, military, and even the Israeli public – without their support, such actions would not be possible.

The situation in the West Bank remains volatile as elections approach, with continued concerns about escalating violence and further expansion of illegal settlements despite international condemnation.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.