'Could lead to civil war': President Herzog warns Netanyahu over rising settler violence in West Bank - report
In letters to Netanyahu and senior officials, Herzog condemns settler violence in the West Bank as a 'moral disgrace' and calls for tougher measures to prevent escalation.
President Isaac Herzog has sent letters to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara warning of a coming civil war, according to a report by Channel 12 on Wednesday.
Herzog sent the letter after he held meetings with commanders, soldiers, and police officers in the West Bank, during which he heard about the increase in settler violence and nationalist terrorism.
"In the West Bank, a man will do what is right in his own eyes," Herzog wrote in his letter, referencing Judges 17:6: 'In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.'
"The soldiers find themselves facing ethical and operational dilemmas that could lead to civil war," he continued. "With elections in the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as the harvest season, there is a convergence of theatres that makes the situation particularly dangerous and explosive."
Herzog directly condemned Jewish nationalist violence as a "moral disgrace and stain on us."
"This is organized criminal activity - organized crime in every sense of the word," added Herzog. "There is no place for this lawlessness."
He called for "widespread and administrative detention" to "eradicate the phenomenon."
Herzog warned that if this issue is not resolved, Israel will face disaster and civil war.