For first time, U.S. State Department defines settler violence as terrorism

In annual report on terrorism in foreign countries, U.S. government report defines so-called 'price-tag' attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank as acts of terror.

By Barak Ravid

A report by the U.S. State Department defines, for the first time, violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank as acts of terrorism.

The Country Reports on Terrorism, which under U.S. law is produced annually by the State Department and presented to the U.S. Congress, was published two weeks ago. It contained a chapter on Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. 

A section of the report entitled "Countering Radicalization and Violent Extremism" addressed so-called "price-tag" attacks, which are committed primarily against Palestinians and their property by West Bank settlers.

The report mentions an attack carried out by a group of Israeli settlers against the IDF's Efraim Regional Brigade headquarters in the West Bank.

That attack "sparked a public debate in Israel on the phenomenon of settler violence; political and security officials pledged to implement several steps to curb and punish these violent attacks," according to the report.

The report also notes that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak labeled such attacks as having the characteristics of terrorist acts. Former IDF Head of Central Command Avi Mizrahi is also mentioned describing attacks against Palestinians and against their property as "terror."

During 2011, the report says, ten mosques in the West Bank and in Jerusalem were set on fire – a dramatic increase compared to past years, following "six such incidents in 2010 and one in 2009." The report also states that Israeli authorities believe that the attacks were "perpetrated by settlers."

Under the title "2011 Terrorist Incidents," the report describes the main terrorist attacks carried out in the West Bank in the Gaza Strip in that year. Alongside rocket attacks from Gaza, the report mentions seven incidents, three of which were considered "price-tag" attacks - the spraying of hate graffiti on Muslim graves at the Mamilla Cemetery in Jerusalem, the burning of a Jerusalem mosque and the vandalizing of a mosque in the West Bank village of Burqa.

Over the weekend, the State Department issued a statement condemning the attack on a Palestinian taxi on Thursday, which was suspected to have been carried out by extremist settlers.

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms yesterday’s attack on a Palestinian taxi in the West Bank," State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, said.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims, among them children, and we hope for their speedy recovery. We note that the Government of Israel has also condemned this heinous attack and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. We look to Israeli law enforcement officials to do so expeditiously. We urge all parties to avoid any actions that could lead to an escalation of violence."

On Friday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told a Palestinian radio station that the attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians are "being carried out under the cover of the Israeli occupation army and must cease."

Abbas noted that, if the IDF so desired, such attacks could be prevented. "This is happening in front of their eyes and they are not batting an eyelid," Abbas said. "This is evidence of the racist policy still nesting in the army and the settlers' mentality."

Following Thursday's attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent reassuring messages to Abbas, apparently fearing the attack might spark violence in the West Bank.

The Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu's envoy Yitzhak Molcho called Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, assuring them Netanyahu had ordered Israel's security forces to do everything in their power to locate and arrest whoever was responsible for the attack.

Netanyahu's message to Abbas was considered unusual, as the premier usually makes do with condemning such events.