IDF reservists petition chief of staff to crack down on "Jewish terrorism" in West Bank

The petition titled "Reservists' Letter Against Jewish Terrorism," which was first reported on by Ynet, accuses senior military commanders of failing to give troops the authority and tools needed to prevent nationalist violence. It states, "We are reserve combat soldiers who have served hundreds of days since October 7, including in the West Bank, where we risked our lives for Israel's security. We are determined to continue defending Israel, but we feel that the IDF leadership is leaving us alone in the field and is not standing behind us."

The reservists wrote that they are repeatedly sent to address "friction incidents" without a mandate to prevent violence beforehand, saying, "Again and again we are asked to put out fires, but no one makes sure to stop those leading nationalist terrorism and root it out." The petition also criticized what it called political support for extremist activity, saying it "endangers us and abandons us."

Maj. (res.) Aviad Hominer-Rosenblum, one of the organizers, said reservists are being failed twice, first by being drawn into violent incidents created by extremists, then by being associated with those events. Capt. (res.) Tom Pinhasi, another signatory, said the events in Qusra reflect a broader pattern, saying, "Armed groups operate in the field almost without interference," and argued that "there is no connection whatsoever between Jewish terrorism and security."

Democrats party leader Yair Golan accused the government of creating "anarchy" in the West Bank, saying, "Every force the IDF is forced to divert to deal with Jewish rioters is a force that is not engaged in preventing terrorism and protecting Israeli citizens." He added, "A government that encourages chaos and terrorism is an asset to antisemitism."

The petition was released as the situation in Qusra remained volatile, with Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth arriving at the scene and the IDF saying it had removed a structure used by settlers to restrict access to three Palestinian families, though footage showed settlers remaining in the area. The letter referenced a deadly attack near the village of Tel roughly three weeks earlier, in which an artillery battery commander and a local security team member were killed while responding to the incident.