Israel’s Former Defence Minister Compares Settler Ideology to Nazism
Former Israeli defence minister Moshe Ya’alon has strongly criticised Israeli settler ideology, comparing it to extremist thinking and accusing authorities of failing to investigate violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
In an interview, Ya’alon said parts of the religious Zionist movement promote what he called a “Jewish supremacy ideology” and described ongoing attacks against Palestinians as a “disgrace”.
He accused the Israeli government of encouraging extremist settlers and said Palestinians were being dispossessed of their land through violence, including shootings. Ya’alon claimed that more than 20 Palestinians had been killed in such incidents and said there had been no accountability for the perpetrators.
The former minister also said security agencies were not properly addressing the situation and described conditions in the West Bank as deeply concerning. He warned that continued occupation could push Israel toward becoming either an apartheid or binational state.
Ya’alon, who served as defence minister between 2013 and 2016 and was previously Israel’s military chief, said he now supports a political settlement with Palestinians and expressed criticism of current Israeli leadership and policies in the occupied territories.
