JERUSALEM — Dozens of former Israeli political, security and judicial leaders have threatened legal action against the Israeli government unless it takes immediate steps to halt what they described as “Jewish terrorism” in the occupied West Bank, according to a letter made public this week.
The letter, first reported on Wednesday, was signed by former prime ministers, former heads of Israel’s security agencies, retired judges and other prominent public figures. The signatories warned they would petition Israel’s courts if authorities failed to act against violence by Israeli settlers and armed groups targeting Palestinians in the West Bank.
According to the letter, the group accused the government of allowing attacks against Palestinians to continue with insufficient enforcement measures. The signatories called for immediate action to “eradicate Jewish terrorism” and alleged that perpetrators had operated with “almost complete impunity.”
Media reports said the signatories included former prime ministers Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, along with former senior military and intelligence officials. The letter reportedly outlined allegations of killings, arson, theft and other attacks against Palestinians, while asserting that state authorities had failed to adequately prevent or prosecute such incidents.
The initiative follows months of public criticism from former Israeli security officials regarding rising settler violence in the West Bank. Earlier this year, groups representing retired military and intelligence leaders urged stronger enforcement measures, arguing that attacks on Palestinians and confrontations involving Israeli security forces posed a threat to public order and Israel’s security interests.
Israeli officials have previously condemned violent acts by extremist settlers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in 2025 that attacks on security personnel and state property were unacceptable and would not be tolerated. Israeli authorities have also stated that law enforcement agencies investigate criminal acts regardless of the perpetrators’ identity.
The dispute comes amid continued tensions in the West Bank, where Palestinian officials, human rights organizations and some Israeli groups have reported an increase in settler-related violence. Israeli governments have generally rejected accusations that they support such attacks, while maintaining that security forces operate against unlawful activity.
As of Thursday, the former officials had not filed a court petition, according to reports. The government had not publicly issued a detailed response to the latest warning, and it remained unclear whether legal proceedings would be initiated in the coming weeks.
