Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages and properties in the occupied West Bank have more than doubled in the first half of 2021, compared with the same statistics over the past two years, Haaretz reported on Sunday.
The spike may be linked to a change in tactics from authorities following the death of teenage settler Ahuvia Sandak, who died in a car crash fleeing Israeli police, and the killing of 52-year-old mother Esther Horgan by Palestinians in December 2020.
To avoid confrontation, Israeli authorities created what officials described as a "permissive atmosphere", including allowing settlers to "let off steam", according to the Israeli newspaper.
In 2019, 363 settler attacks were reported, while in 2020, that number was 507