Data released by the Israeli security establishment on Monday revealed a significant 63% increase in nationalist crime in the West Bank during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year, Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN News, reported.
In total, some 660 incidents were recorded in the first half of 2026, up from 405 in the second half of 2025 and 440 in the first half of 2025.
The report also indicated that the number of deliberate attacks against security forces rose significantly, with 45 incidents reported in the first half of 2026, compared to 30 in the second half of 2025, marking a 50% increase in violence directed at security personnel.
The rise in violence was also reflected in the number of Palestinian casualties. During the first half of the year, 140 Palestinians were wounded, and six were killed, compared with 82 wounded and no fatalities during the previous six months.
The figures mentioned do not account for incidents recorded in July. According to data from the security establishment, around 100 additional incidents of nationalist crime were reported in July alone, indicating that the upward trend persisted into the second half of 2026.
IDF increased deployment to combat violence
The data was released amid increasing public and international concern about the rise in violence in the West Bank.
Last month, the IDF increased its deployment across the West Bank to 26 battalions, adding two battalions amid the sharp escalation in Palestinian terrorist attacks and attacks from settlers.
The reinforcement followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s order to increase troop deployments, additional checkpoints, and expanded counterterrorism operations following Security forces arrested more than 70 terror suspects across the West Bank the day following the deadly shooting near Gilad Farm.
Rabbi Brander speaks out against West Bank violence
Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander from Ohr Torah Stone commented on the recent uptick in West Bank violence on Monday following the Israel security establishment report’s release.
“This violence committed by Jewish extremists is deeply disturbing and demands a clear moral response from Jewish and Israeli leadership. There is no justification, religious or otherwise, for attacking innocent people because of their identity,” he stated.
“Such acts violate the most fundamental principles of Jewish law and undermine the values that should guide our society and democracy,” he added.
“Jewish leaders, educators and rabbis have a responsibility to speak clearly and without hesitation. Condemning this violence is not about weakening Israel or ignoring the very real threats facing our country.
It is about reaffirming the Jewish values of justice, human dignity and responsibility that must remain at the heart of the society we are building,” he continued.
Jerusalem Post Staff and Sarah Ben-Nun contributed to this report.