An unprecedented measure: an “electronic bracelet” to curb settler violence in the West Bank
The Israeli army announced on Monday a new measure aimed at stopping settler violence in the West Bank.
It stated that it would allow electronic monitoring of individuals placed under an administrative order restricting their movement in the occupied West Bank. The measure specifically targets violent settlers, according to Israeli media, as incidents have increased since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.
In a statement, the army explained that this monitoring is intended to verify compliance with the administrative order.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, the monitoring will be carried out through an electronic bracelet.
The measure, the same source reported, was adopted at the request of Shin Bet (domestic security agency) chief David Zini, in order to curb the rise in acts of violence committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
In response to a question from Agence France-Presse, the army said the measure would apply to both Israelis and Palestinians.
The far-right organization “Haninu,” which provides legal assistance to settlers and extremists, described the decision as “an anti-democratic step reminiscent of authoritarian regimes.”
With the exception of East Jerusalem, around 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, in settlements considered illegal under international law by the United Nations, alongside roughly three million Palestinians.
Since the unprecedented attack carried out by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, violence by settlers has escalated — especially among those living in “outposts” deemed illegal even under Israeli law — and their assaults on local communities have increased.
October 2025 was the most violent month since the United Nations began recording settler attacks in 2006.
Non-governmental organizations that document settler violence note that perpetrators are rarely brought to justice.
In November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned “the violent riots sparked by a handful of extremists who do not represent the settlers in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) and who try to take the law into their own hands.”
He added: “I intend to address this issue personally.”
