Israeli Settlers Torch West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

An arson attack on a mosque in the occupied West Bank has intensified concerns over the protection of religious sites amid a documented rise in settler violence.

The incident, which occurred during Ramadan, damaged the entrance and exterior of the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in Tell village southwest of Nablus.

Religious Site Targeted

Local Palestinian media said settlers carried out the attack early on Monday, setting fire to the mosque’s gates and outer structure. Residents intervened before flames spread inside the building.

Footage by Anadolu Agency shows charred walls and blackened ground at the entrance.

Graffiti bearing racist slogans was visible on the exterior, including the words “revenge” and “price tag.”

The phrase “price tag” has been associated with acts of vandalism targeting Palestinian property and places of worship.

The Islamic Waqf, which administers the mosque compound, confirmed that settlers attempted to burn the site and said it was following up with relevant authorities.

Local Security Response Questioned

Naaman Ramadan, head of the Tell village council, said the area had faced previous settler attacks without what he described as meaningful intervention by Israeli police or military forces.

His comments reflected a recurring complaint from Palestinian communities regarding accountability and deterrence.

The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments and Affairs condemned the assault, describing it as part of a broader pattern affecting places of worship.

The ministry said that 45 mosques were attacked in 2025 “under the protection of Israeli forces.”

Violence Trends And Data

Official data from the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission recorded approximately 4,723 cases of settler violence during 2025. Palestinian sources said the attacks had escalated following the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

Human impact indicators remain severe. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank over the past two years, including 217 minors, according to Palestinian figures.

The ministry also highlighted pressures on Christian Palestinian communities, noting that over 50,000 residents live in areas facing what it described as growing threats from Israeli forces and settlers.

Protection Of Worship Spaces

The Tell mosque attack adds to a series of incidents involving religious infrastructure. Arson and graffiti targeting mosques and churches have periodically drawn international scrutiny, particularly regarding obligations under international humanitarian law governing occupied territories.