Israeli settlers are reportedly targeting Palestinian factories, quarries and agricultural land across the occupied West Bank, with Palestinian officials and business owners saying the attacks are damaging businesses and threatening workers’ livelihoods.
A major fire near the Al-Omari aluminium factory in Ein Siniya, north of Ramallah, destroyed olive trees and farmland and damaged part of the industrial facility. Local officials said a settler was seen near the site before the fire, while Israeli soldiers allegedly prevented residents and workers from helping to extinguish the blaze.
Business owners also reported attacks on heavy machinery and industrial facilities. One stone-crushing facility suffered an estimated $700,000 in losses after equipment was set on fire.
In the town of as-Samu, south of Hebron, about 30 settlers allegedly attacked an industrial facility on August 21 after its owner said he had received repeated death threats. Excavators, bulldozers, stone-cutting machines and a security office were damaged, leaving more than 90 percent of the equipment beyond repair.
Economist Moayad Afanah said the attacks are contributing to the weakening of the Palestinian economy by destroying expensive machinery, discouraging investment and disrupting businesses. He noted that unemployment in the West Bank has already reached 29 percent.
The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said it documented 798 settler attacks in July, including hundreds involving property damage, land levelling, confiscations and the destruction or poisoning of thousands of trees.
Palestinian officials argue that the attacks are intended not only to cause immediate economic losses but also to create conditions that pressure Palestinians to leave their land, potentially facilitating further settlement expansion and control of territory.
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