Israeli Settlers Torch West Bank Mosque in Deir Istiya, Drawing Widespread Condemnation

Mosque Torched in Deir Istiya

In the early hours of Thursday, November 13, 2025, Israeli settlers reportedly set fire to the Al-Hajja Hamida Mosque in the Palestinian village of Deir Istiya, located in the Salfit governorate of the occupied West Bank. The attack involved pouring flammable liquid at the mosque's entrance before igniting it, resulting in scorched carpets, blackened walls, and burnt copies of the Quran. Villagers who later cleaned the mosque reported smashed windows and hateful graffiti scrawled in Hebrew on the walls. Messages included 'we will revenge again,' 'keep on condemning,' 'we are not afraid,' and slogans insulting Islam's Prophet Mohammed. Local residents managed to contain the fire before it could completely destroy the building.

Widespread Condemnation from Officials

The arson attack prompted immediate and strong condemnation from various parties:

• Israeli Officials: The Israeli military announced an investigation into the incident, transferring the case to the police. Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian affirmed that the army applies the law equally and rejects harm to civilians or religious sites. Major General Avi Bluth, chief of Israel's Central Command, had previously issued a rare denunciation of settler violence, which some of the graffiti appeared to reference. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the 'shocking and serious' violence, calling for decisive action against 'a handful of violent and dangerous individuals.'
• Palestinian Authorities: The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the attack as a 'heinous crime' and a 'blatant assault on the feelings of Muslims and their freedom of worship,' holding the Israeli government 'fully responsible' for the escalation. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs also denounced the arson.

International Outcry and Context

International bodies and several countries also voiced their condemnation:

• United Nations: UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing that 'acts of violence and blasphemy targeting religious sites are unacceptable' and that such locations 'must be respected and protected at all times.' The UN warned that these incidents are part of an escalating trend of extremist violence.
• Jordan: The Jordanian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack, holding the Israeli government 'fully responsible' for what it described as 'terrorist attacks' by settlers.
• Spain and Germany: Spain condemned the 'unprecedented' surge in settler violence, specifically mentioning the Deir Istiya mosque attack, and urged Tel Aviv to 'put a decisive end to violence and impunity.' Germany also denounced the arson, calling for investigations and accountability.
• United States: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern that events in the West Bank could 'spill over and create an effect that could undermine what we're doing in Gaza.'

This incident occurs amidst a significant surge in settler violence across the West Bank, particularly during the annual olive harvest season. The United Nations reported that October 2025 saw the highest monthly number of settler attacks since it began tracking such incidents in 2006. The Al-Hajja Hamida Mosque in Deir Istiya has been targeted in previous attacks by settlers in 2012 and 2014, highlighting a documented pattern of vandalism against Palestinian properties and holy sites.