YTC Ventures | Technocrat’ Magazine
November 13, 2025
In a brazen act of defiance, Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the occupied West Bank overnight, torching copies of the Quran and scrawling hateful graffiti on its walls, Palestinian officials and local residents reported. The attack on the Hajjah Hamidah Mosque – also referred to as Hajja Hamida – in the village of Deir Istiya near Salfit marks the latest escalation in a wave of settler violence that has intensified since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, drawing sharp condemnation from Israeli military leaders and international observers.
The incident unfolded early Thursday, just a day after Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Central Command chief, publicly denounced recent settler assaults as the work of an “anarchist fringe youth.” Yet, the perpetrators appeared to mock this rebuke directly: Photos and videos circulating on social media and shared by the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs show Hebrew graffiti reading “We are not afraid,” “We will revenge again,” “Keep on condemning,” and a vile slur “Mohammed is a pig” – a direct insult to Islam’s prophet. One message also referenced Bluth explicitly: “Not afraid of Avi Bluth.”Local Palestinians discovered the damage at dawn, with one wall charred, at least three copies of the Quran burned, and carpeting smoldering inside the mosque.
Windows were shattered, and the entrance bore signs of accelerant poured and ignited by the attackers. “This is a heinous crime and a blatant assault on the feelings of Muslims,” the ministry stated, vowing to pursue accountability. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry decried it as part of a “systematic and widespread policy” backed by the Israeli government to undermine Palestinian rights.
A Defiant Response to Official Rebukes
The mosque arson comes mere hours after Bluth’s Wednesday statement, where he labeled the attackers “anarchist fringe youth” and pledged IDF action against them. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office echoed this, calling the violence “unacceptable,” though critics argue enforcement remains lax. U.S. officials, including incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warned that such incidents could derail Gaza peace efforts, urging Israel to crack down.On X (formerly Twitter), the story exploded, with users sharing images of the scorched interior and graffiti.
Accounts like@doamuslims posted: “Israeli settler mob set fire to the Hajja Hamida Mosque… and spray-painted racist slogans,” garnering over 1,700 views in hours.@TheCradleMedia noted: “Settlers set fire to a mosque… containing a threatening message: ‘We are not afraid, we will establish a settlement,'” highlighting the expansionist undertones.
Palestinian voices, including @MoinulHakim2005, amplified calls for international intervention amid the “racist” defacement.
The Broader Surge: Record Attacks During Olive Harvest
This mosque torching is no isolated incident but part of a documented spike in settler aggression. A United Nations report from last week tallied at least 264 settler attacks in October alone – the highest since tracking began in 2006 – many targeting Palestinian olive harvesters during the sacred fall season. Rabbis for Human Rights’ Anton Goodman described it as a “perfect storm,” blaming “extremists at the heart of the Israeli government” for instructing police to avoid arresting violent settlers, eroding the rule of law.Since October 2023, over 700 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers, per UN figures, with settler violence displacing entire communities.
Recent raids, like one in nearby Beit Lid that burned homes, underscore the pattern. Palestinian officials and rights groups frame these as “state-backed terrorism” aimed at land grabs.
| Key Stats on West Bank Settler Violence (2025) | Details |
|---|---|
| October Attacks | 264 (UN record high) |
| Total Palestinian Deaths (Since Oct 2023) | 700+ |
| Flashpoint Season | Olive harvest (Oct-Nov), with threats to farmers |
| IDF Response | Condemnations, but critics cite low arrest rates |
International Calls for Accountability
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged “international and Islamic institutions” to act, labeling the attacks “terrorism” enabled by Israeli policy. German prosecutors’ recent arrests of alleged Hamas arms procurers in Berlin highlight global scrutiny on regional violence, though focus remains uneven.As the West Bank simmers, this mosque attack – captured in harrowing images of blackened holy texts and defiant slogans – exposes the fragility of peace efforts. With settler expansions accelerating under the current government, activists warn of a tipping point.
The world watches: Will words turn to action, or will the fires spread?
This article draws from on-the-ground reports and eyewitness accounts; the situation remains fluid.
For updates, follow reliable sources like AP, CNN, and Haaretz.
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