### Escalating Violence: Israeli Settlers Attack Mosque in West Bank Amid Rising Tensions Recent events in the West Bank have highlighted a troubling surge in violence, particularly involving Israeli settlers. On November 13, 2025, settlers set fire to the Hajjah Hamidah Mosque in Deir Istiya, vandalizing it with graffiti that included threatening messages. This incident is part of a broader pattern of escalating settler violence against Palestinians, which has drawn condemnation from both Palestinian authorities and Israeli officials. The Israeli military has acknowledged a rise in such attacks, describing them as acts of "Jewish terrorism" stemming from fringe groups, yet the response has been criticized as insufficient to curb the violence [https://apnews.com/article/israel-settlers-radical-west-bank-netanyahu-herzog-46127028ea1c06cf7cb57a81816b3ded][https://www.haaretz.com/west-bank/2025-11-13/ty-article/.premium/palestinian-reports-settlers-torch-vandalize-west-bank-mosque/0000019a-7c19-d259-af9a-fedf94d00000]. ### Overview of the Incident and Reactions 1. **Incident Details**: - Israeli settlers torched the Hajjah Hamidah Mosque, causing significant damage, including the destruction of Qurans and other religious items [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/11/14/israeli-troops-kill-2-west-bank-palestinians-settlers-set-mosque-ablaze]. - Graffiti messages such as "we are not afraid" and "we will revenge again" were found on the mosque's walls, indicating a provocative intent [https://apnews.com/article/israel-settlers-radical-west-bank-netanyahu-herzog-46127028ea1c06cf7cb57a81816b3ded]. 2. **Official Responses**: - Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the violence as "shocking and serious," calling for decisive action against such acts [https://apnews.com/article/israel-settlers-radical-west-bank-netanyahu-herzog-46127028ea1c06cf7cb57a81816b3ded]. - The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the rise in settler violence, with military leaders pledging to take action against extremist attacks [https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/11/13/do-not-stand-by-israeli-army-vows-to-crack-down-on-settler-attacks]. 3. **Context of Violence**: - The attack occurred amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza in October 2023, which has seen a significant increase in violence across the West Bank [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/11/14/israeli-troops-kill-2-west-bank-palestinians-settlers-set-mosque-ablaze]. - Reports indicate that October 2025 was the worst month for settler violence since records began, with at least 264 attacks reported [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/11/14/israeli-troops-kill-2-west-bank-palestinians-settlers-set-mosque-ablaze]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Casualty Figures**: Since the onset of the Gaza conflict, over 1,003 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, with a significant number attributed to settler violence [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/11/14/israeli-troops-kill-2-west-bank-palestinians-settlers-set-mosque-ablaze]. - **International Reactions**: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the mosque attack, emphasizing that such acts of violence are unacceptable and contribute to rising tensions [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/11/14/israeli-troops-kill-2-west-bank-palestinians-settlers-set-mosque-ablaze]. ### Conclusion: A Call for Action Against Escalating Violence The recent arson attack on the Hajjah Hamidah Mosque underscores a critical moment in the ongoing conflict in the West Bank. **Key findings include**: 1. **Increased Violence**: The attack is part of a disturbing trend of settler violence that has escalated in recent months, particularly following the Gaza conflict. 2. **Official Condemnation**: While there have been rare rebukes from Israeli officials, the effectiveness of these condemnations in curbing violence remains questionable. 3. **Urgent Need for Action**: The international community, including the UN, has called for immediate action to address the rising tide of extremist violence and protect places of worship. The situation demands urgent attention to prevent further escalation and to uphold the sanctity of religious sites in the region [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2025/11/14/israeli-troops-kill-2-west-bank-palestinians-settlers-set-mosque-ablaze].