Israeli MP declares ‘no innocent children’ as West Bank killings go unpunished

A pattern of systematic impunity has taken hold in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli settlers and security forces have killed at least 1,100 Palestinians—a quarter of them children—since 2020 without a single prosecution, according to United Nations data. The stark reality of this impunity was laid bare this week when far-right Israeli lawmaker Yitzhak Kroizer defended a military attack that killed a Palestinian mother, father, and their two young children as they returned from shopping in Jenin.

A family targeted, a confession delivered

Speaking in the Knesset, Kroizer declared: “In Jenin, there are no innocent civilians, no innocent children.” He added: “Whether they are children or women, it doesn’t matter to me.” The remarks, which drew international condemnation, came on the same day The Guardian published a comprehensive analysis revealing that not a single Israeli citizen has been charged for the killing of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank over the past five years. The report documented a systemic “culture of impunity” that has enabled escalating violence.

Internal Israeli dissent grows

The violence has prompted rare criticism from within Israel’s security establishment. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called for International Criminal Court intervention, arguing it would protect both Palestinians and Israelis. Dozens of former senior officials—including ex‑chiefs of the Mossad, Shin Bet, and police—signed an open letter describing settler violence as “organized activity” and “Jewish terrorism” that poses an “existential threat” to Israel. Former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni warned on X that Israel no longer has “a single legal system for everyone,” pointing to parallel religious courts and armed militias undermining the state.

A global voice speaks out

American actor Mark Ruffalo amplified the Guardian’s findings on social media, writing: “Utter lawlessness when it comes to killing and stealing land. Both inside and out.” His post underscored growing international alarm. Palestinian authorities report that Israeli settlers carried out 511 attacks across the West Bank last month alone, killing seven Palestinians.

Türkiye’s consistent condemnation

Ankara has repeatedly condemned the unchecked violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, calling on the international community to hold perpetrators accountable. Turkish officials have stressed that the systematic impunity documented by the UN and human rights organizations represents a fundamental violation of international law. Türkiye continues to advocate for the protection of Palestinian civilians and for accountability mechanisms to end what it has described as a deepening crisis of justice in the occupied territories.