UN condemns mosque attack in West Bank amid surge in settler violence

A night‑time attack by Israeli settlers on a mosque in the occupied West Bank village has drawn strong condemnation from the United Nations and raised alarm over a broader spike in settler‑linked violence.

The violence took place overnight in the village of Deir Istiya when settlers set fire to carpets and copies of the Qur’an inside a mosque and spray‑painted hateful slogans on its walls.

Speaking in New York, UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric read a statement on behalf of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:

“We are deeply disturbed by the attacks by Israeli settlers who set fire overnight to a mosque in a West Bank village. Such attacks on places of worship are completely unacceptable. … Israel, as the occupying power, has a responsibility to protect the civilian population and ensure that those responsible for these attacks … be brought to account.” 

The incident occurs amid a dramatic uptick in settler attacks: In October 2025, the UN’s humanitarian agency recorded at least 264 attacks on Palestinians by settlers in the West Bank—the highest monthly number since tracking began in 2006.

Palestinian residents of the affected village described the fire as having been extinguished before spreading further, but the psychological damage was clear. Burning of religious texts, vandalism of the mosque’s interior and walls marked a chilling escalation. 

The broader context: The West Bank is home to about 2.7 million Palestinians and over 500,000 Israeli settlers. Most international actors consider the settlements illegal under international law, a point firmly rejected by Israel. Reuters Israeli President Isaac Herzog and senior military commanders have publicly described recent settler violence as “shocking” and “crossing a red line”. 

Analysts say this surge in violence threatens both the stability of the West Bank and prospects for a two‑state solution, as fear and mistrust grow among Palestinian communities. The UN warns that the pattern of attacks, destruction of property and lack of accountability risk fueling wider unrest. 

The UN strongly condemns an arson attack on a mosque in the West Bank by Israeli settlers as settler‑linked violence reaches record levels in October 2025.

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