The IDF has lost control; extremists are now the sovereign in Judea and Samaria
The incident near Tel village, which resulted in the deaths of Yuval Ezra, Binyamin Melt, and four Palestinians, reveals a broader failure: the IDF, police, and Shin Bet are unable to enforce the law in Judea and Samaria. A group of Jewish extremists acts with impunity, while the IDF effectively serves as their security detail, catering to coalition politics.
The incident in Tel village about two weeks ago was not a terror attack. It was a violent confrontation that escalated into a gunfight after dozens of Israeli citizens “strolled” through the alleys of the Palestinian village in Areas A and B. According to an IDF investigation, the participants did not request approval or security, despite the fact that entry into Area A—under full Palestinian control—is prohibited for Israelis without explicit military authorization. As the sovereign in Judea and Samaria, the IDF’s failure to prevent this is a clear violation of the rule of law.
The term “terror attack” does not accurately describe the scuffle between villagers and the intruders, as there was no premeditated plan, and the Palestinians were not initially armed. The tragedy occurred when Binyamin Melt, deputy battalion commander at Havat Gilad, removed his weapon strap during the altercation, allowing a Palestinian to snatch the rifle and open fire, killing both Melt and Lt. Col. Yuval Ezra.
A Systemic Failure
The IDF investigation reveals tactical failures. The participants knew that security tensions were high and that a Friday visit without coordination would be denied, yet they proceeded anyway. Their presence was only detected due to the alertness of an IDF observer.
The facts of this incident highlight a deeper reality: the IDF, police, and Shin Bet are unable to enforce the law. A large, extremist group within the settlements has effectively become the sovereign in the territory, doing as it pleases while the IDF provides security for its whims.
The Politicization of Security
For example, following a fire near Havat Gilad—which forensic experts determined was caused by negligence—extremists established 13 illegal outposts starting May 13. The IDF and police, already stretched thin, are now forced to deploy expensive intelligence and defense assets to protect these unauthorized sites.
Similar provocations occur in Nablus (Area A). The IDF deploys forces not to expel the trespassers, but to provide security until they choose to leave. This practice turns the military into a security firm for illegal acts. In effect, the IDF is acting on behalf of right-wing politicians, such as preparing for a takeover of the Balata refugee camp without any real operational necessity. This allows Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to advance his agenda using IDF soldiers. Such politicization of military action endangers the Zionist enterprise.
