In a recent development, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pressed Israeli leaders to address the wave of violence perpetrated by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. Despite assurances from Israeli officials, there has been no significant response to date, raising concerns about the government's stance on these attacks.

Since the Hamas attack on October 7th, settlers in the West Bank have engaged in a spree of violence, resulting in the deaths of over 120 Palestinians and injuring more than 2,000. Additionally, they have forcibly displaced over 800 Palestinians from their homes, destroyed their resources, and targeted Bedouin herders' tents.

What is particularly troubling is that these incidents are taking place in areas governed by the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas-controlled Gaza. Many of the victims had no affiliation with militant groups, yet they fell victim to attacks simply because they were Palestinians. It is crucial to note that these acts of violence are not in retaliation for the Hamas attack on Israel from Gaza.

President Joe Biden, in a warning on October 25th, stated that the surge in attacks in the West Bank was exacerbating tensions and called for immediate action. He stressed the need for those responsible to be held accountable for their actions.

Despite these warnings, Israeli officials have remained silent on the settlers' violence, even in cases where settlers attacked Israeli soldiers attempting to intervene. This lack of response undermines efforts to curb the increasing violence and restore stability to the region.

Secretary Blinken's recent visit to Tel Aviv aimed to reinforce the United States' support for Israel's right to self-defense. However, it also emphasized three important demands: a humanitarian pause in the fighting, an effort to minimize civilian casualties, and holding the violent settlers accountable. It is the latter point that requires urgent attention.

While the precise measures for accountability were not explicitly outlined during the press conference, it is hoped that they involve the arrest and prosecution of settlers responsible for the killings, including charges of murder where applicable. Such actions should be publicly announced by the law enforcement authorities with the endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This would demonstrate the government's commitment to protecting innocent Palestinians and distancing itself from those responsible for these crimes.

Apart from the need for internal stability, it is crucial for Israel to underscore its stance against vigilante actions, especially given its democratic principles. Failure to address and denounce these attacks may lead the international community to conclude that the Israeli government either endorses or passively condones such violence, blurring the distinction between Palestinians and terrorists.

There is a significant moral distinction between Israel and Hamas. Israel takes measures to warn civilians before conducting airstrikes, whereas Hamas employs no protective measures, even using civilians as human shields. Israel's airstrikes, while causing civilian casualties, are not targeted at Palestinian people, whereas Hamas openly declares its objective to eradicate Israel.

However, if the Israeli government fails to denounce and take legal action against the settlers responsible for the violence in the West Bank, it risks further radicalizing Palestinians and reinforcing the perception of Israel, or at least its current administration, as a criminal entity. This could lead to a new wave of criticism and moral equivalences being drawn between Israel and Hamas.

The appointment of Tzvi Succot as the head of the Israeli parliament's subcommittee, despite his alleged involvement in violence against Palestinians and radical views, only adds fuel to the fire. Such actions raise questions about the government's commitment to addressing settler violence and promoting peace.

The West Bank has been a hotbed of violence since Israel's occupation following the 1967 war, but the recent surge in violence has raised serious concerns. Prior to the Hamas attack, there was an average of one violent incident per day, but now the number has skyrocketed to seven.

It is critical to differentiate between the tragic loss of Israeli lives on October 7th and the actions of settlers in the West Bank. The areas targeted by Hamas were established long before 1967 and were home to native residents, not colonialist intruders.

The international community, along with advocates for peace, calls on the Israeli government to condemn, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the crimes committed by settlers in the West Bank. By doing so, the government can prove its commitment to justice, peace, and protecting the lives of innocent Palestinians.