Dozens of prominent Israelis, including two former prime ministers, ex-security chiefs, and cultural figures, have threatened legal action against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government over what they describe as complicity in Jewish terrorism and an "ideology of ethnic cleansing" in the occupied West Bank. The leaked letter, addressed to Netanyahu and top security officials, demands immediate steps to eradicate violence against Palestinians, citing years of attacks with near-total impunity.
Signatories and Demands
The letter, drafted by lawyer Shmuel Berkowitz, was sent to the prime minister's office, defense and national security ministries, the military, police, and intelligence services. Signatories include former prime ministers Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak, four former ministers, over 30 former security commanders (including ex-Mossad and Shin Bet heads), Nobel laureate David Kornberg, novelist David Grossman, and former judges. They warn that failure to act will lead to a petition to Israel's High Court of Justice.
Allegations of Government Policy
The letter accuses Netanyahu and his far-right coalition partners of enabling attacks to further an extremist agenda. It states, "This is not solely a military and police failure, but the implementation of an overt policy by the Israeli government... to enable the terrorism of Jewish criminals, because this horrendous phenomenon serves well the current government's ideology of carrying out 'ethnic cleansing' in the territories of Judea and Samaria to facilitate their future annexation." The signatories draw parallels with historical pogroms against Jews in Eastern Europe.
Military Complicity and Violence
The letter claims the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are complicit through inaction and active participation. Attackers include members of regional defense units and settlement security squads. According to UN data, since 2020, Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed at least 1,100 Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, a quarter of them children, with no charges filed. The violence, the letter warns, risks sparking Palestinian revenge attacks or an intifada.
Call for Accountability
The letter directly questions Gen. Avi Bluth, the West Bank commander, asking why Jewish terrorists remain unapprehended despite known identities. It criticizes Netanyahu's claim that settler violence is perpetrated by "a few dozen teenagers" as baseless. The signatories demand action against officials including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and others. The prime minister's office and relevant ministries did not respond to requests for comment.
