Ex-Mossad chief says 'Israeli' settler violence reminds him of the Holocaust
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- Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo compares settler violence to Holocaust.
- He warns escalation in West Bank could trigger “next October 7” scenario.
Former head of ‘Israel’’s intelligence agency Mossad, Tamir Pardo, has drawn a stark comparison between rising settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Holocaust, warning that unchecked abuses could lead to a future large-scale attack similar to October 7.
Pardo, who led Mossad from 2011 to 2016, said in remarks that settler attacks and the lack of an effective state response risk producing what he called the “next October 7,” arguing that the consequences would be even more severe due to the region’s volatility.
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“It will be in a different format, much more painful,” he said, adding that the state had “chosen to sow the seeds” of a future crisis.
Claims of institutional inaction
Pardo said 'Israeli' law enforcement is aware of settler violence but has “chosen to ignore it,” suggesting that accountability mechanisms have been weakened or politically constrained.
He pointed to the influence of settler groups and their political backing, including support from far-right ministers such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir.
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His comments reflect growing internal debate within ‘Israel’ over the handling of violence in the occupied West Bank and the role of political leadership in shaping enforcement policy.
Rising violence and displacement
Human rights organizations and monitoring bodies have documented a sharp increase in settler-related incidents since October 2023, including attacks on Palestinian communities and property damage.
The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported that Israeli settlers have killed at least 16 Palestinians so far this year.
A United Nations report released in March said more than 36,000 Palestinians were displaced in the occupied West Bank between November 2024 and October 2025, amid a rise in both military operations and settler attacks.
The report also recorded 1,732 settler violence incidents causing casualties or property damage during the same period, marking a 25 percent increase compared with the previous year.
Broader implications
Pardo’s remarks add to mounting criticism from former security officials regarding governance, law enforcement, and escalation risks in the occupied West Bank.
The comments also highlight deepening internal divisions within ‘Israel’ over settlement expansion policies and the long-term stability of the territory under continued occupation.
