Jerusalem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) 22 January 2026 – Settler
violence in the occupied West Bank has emptied nearly three-quarters of the
Palestinian Bedouin village of Ras Ein al-Auja, forcing hundreds to flee.
Residents who remain report deliberate efforts to push them from their homes,
leaving them with nowhere else to go. Israeli authorities have not intervened
amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Israeli settler violence has led to the displacement of
nearly three-quarters of the residents from Ras Ein al-Auja, recognised as the
largest Palestinian Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank. Hundreds of
families have fled the area following repeated attacks, with the remaining
population facing continued pressure to leave.
Local reports indicate that the violence has intensified
over recent months, prompting urgent calls for intervention.
The village, located near the northern Dead Sea in Area C
under full Israeli administrative control, has housed around 1,200 Bedouin
residents prior to the latest escalation. Structures in the community have been
targeted, contributing to the exodus. Palestinian officials documented the
departure of approximately 900 individuals, leaving fewer than 300 in place.
Details of Recent Settler Violence
Settler attacks on Ras Ein al-Auja began escalating in late
2025, with residents reporting nightly raids involving stone-throwing, arson,
and threats. Videos circulated by locals show masked settlers cutting water
pipes and destroying solar panels essential for the community's survival. One
resident stated, "They come every night, burning tents and demanding we
leave our land," as quoted in field reports from humanitarian
organisations.
The violence peaked in early January 2026, when settlers
reportedly set fire to over 20 tents and livestock enclosures, displacing 150
families in a single week. Israeli human rights group B'Tselem recorded 45
incidents since October 2025, including physical assaults on villagers. No
arrests have been made by Israeli forces, who maintain a presence nearby but
have not dispersed the attackers.
Palestinian Bedouin families, many originally from the Negev
region, have resided in Ras Ein al-Auja for decades, relying on pastoral
livelihoods. The loss of grazing lands due to settlement expansion has
compounded vulnerabilities, with demolitions of unauthorised structures
occurring periodically.
Impact on Displaced Residents
Credit: aljazeera.com
The forced displacement has left hundreds without shelter, with many relocating to nearby towns like Jericho or Ein al-Sultan refugee camp. Humanitarian aid groups report acute shortages of water and food among the evacuees, who arrived with minimal possessions. UNRWA provided emergency tents to 200 families, but distribution challenges persist due to restricted access in Area C.
Remaining residents express determination to stay despite
ongoing threats. A village elder told reporters, "This is our land; we
have nowhere else to go," highlighting the lack of alternative relocation
sites approved by authorities. Children in the community face disrupted
schooling, with enrolment dropping by 70 per cent as families flee.
Economic fallout includes the loss of over 5,000 sheep and
goats, key to the Bedouins' sustenance. Compensation claims submitted to
Israeli courts have yielded no responses, per legal aid records.
Historical Context of Ras Ein al-Auja
Ras Ein al-Auja was established post-1948 by Bedouins
displaced during the Nakba, growing into the largest such community in the West
Bank. Its strategic location near Route 90 has attracted settlement activity
since the 1980s. Nearby outposts like Chashmonaim and Ma'ale Mikhmas have expanded,
encroaching on village lands designated for military zones.
Israeli government plans, approved in 2024, allocate parts
of the area for new settlements, prompting preemptive demolitions. Over 50
structures in Ras Ein al-Auja were razed in 2025 alone, according to Peace Now
monitoring. The village lacks basic infrastructure, with residents denied
connection to national electricity and water grids.
Responses from Authorities and Organisations
Credit: Lisi Niesner/Reuters
The Plestinian Authority condemned the violence, with governor of Jericho Ismail Ghawsha calling for international protection. PA President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the issue in a 20 January statement, labelling it "systematic ethnic cleansing." No official response has come from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) issued a report on 18 January detailing the displacement, urging Israel
to halt settler vigilantism. OCHA spokesperson stated,
"The safety of civilians must be ensured regardless of status."
European Union foreign ministers discussed the West Bank
situation at their 21 January meeting, expressing concern over rising
incidents.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz deployed additional
troops to the Jordan Valley but focused on "preventing terrorism,"
without mentioning settler actions. Human Rights Watch documented similar
patterns in 15 Bedouin sites, attributing over 1,200 displacements in 2025 to
settler pressure.
Patterns of Settler Activity in the West Bank
Settler violence has surged since October 2023, with UN data
recording 1,860 attacks in 2025, the highest annual figure. Ras Ein al-Auja
fits a broader trend targeting herder communities to clear land for annexation.
Groups like Regavim advocate for evictions, claiming Bedouin structures are
illegal.
Incidents often coincide with olive harvest seasons or
Sabbath evenings, minimising witness presence. Israeli police investigations
rarely lead to prosecutions, with a 3 per cent indictment rate per Yesh Din
statistics. The international community, including the UK and France, summoned
Israeli ambassadors over the issue in December 2025.
Broader Regional Developments
The displacement occurs amid stalled peace talks and
post-Gaza ceasefire fragility. US-mediated discussions in 2025 addressed West
Bank stability but yielded no settlement freeze. Quartet representatives met in
Brussels on 19 January, prioritising de-escalation.
Local NGOs report
40,000 Palestinians displaced across the West Bank since 2022 due to
demolitions and violence. Bedouin vulnerability stems from their unrecognised
status, barring building permits. Jordan Valley communities, numbering 15, face
parallel pressures from military orders.
Humanitarian and Legal Challenges
Credit: Omar al-Qattaa/AFP
Aid access to Ras Ein al-Auja remains intermittent, with Israeli checkpoints blocking convoys. Norwegian Refugee Council teams delivered supplies on 20 January, aiding 100 families. Legal challenges under Oslo Accords cite violations of Area C protections, filed by Al-Haq with the ICC.
Palestinian negotiators demand inclusion in any future land-use plans, absent from current proposals. Israeli Civil Administration surveys indicate potential relocation to a centralised site near Jericho, rejected by residents as inadequate.