Seeing West Bank Settlers as Risk to Israel Itself

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Maj. Gen. Eyal Ben-Reuven and other retired Israeli officials recently visited the West Bank to assess the impact of settler actions, noting damage to Palestinian property and reports of violence linked to settlers. Ben-Reuven warned that these settler activities pose a greater threat to Israel’s security than external enemies, signaling deepening concern among some former military leaders about the internal risks of settlement policies.

Maj. Gen. Eyal Ben-Reuven, a veteran Israeli military leader, has shifted his focus to a new area of concern: the impact of Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Having served in key conflicts such as the 1973 Arab-Israeli war and the 2006 war against Hezbollah, Ben-Reuven recently revisited the occupied territory alongside fellow retired generals and former Israeli officials to assess current conditions on the ground.

During their visits, the group observed the aftermath of settler actions, including the destruction of Palestinian property. Ben-Reuven recounted encountering a looted Palestinian school and meeting Palestinian shepherds and farmers who described episodes of violence and intimidation linked to settlers seizing land and livestock. These experiences led him to a profound reassessment of the threats facing Israel.

“This, what the settlers are doing here, is the real threat to Israel,” Ben-Reuven said, emphasizing that in his view, the actions of settlers in the West Bank present a greater danger to Israel than external adversaries such as Iran, Hamas in Gaza, or Hezbollah in Lebanon. His remarks reflect a growing concern among a number of former military and government officials regarding the internal challenges posed by settler activities.

The sentiments expressed by Ben-Reuven and his peers underscore the complexities surrounding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a territory internationally recognized as occupied Palestinian land. Critics argue that the expansion and actions of settler communities undermine Israel’s security and prospects for peace, while supporters maintain that settlers have historical and legal claims to the area.

This emerging discourse highlights tensions within Israeli society, as some former officials publicly question the long-term implications of settlement policy on national security and regional stability. The issues raised by Ben-Reuven and others contribute to ongoing debates over the future of the West Bank and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.