Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure following violent attacks by settlers in the occupied West Bank, as he attempts to balance international criticism with domestic political considerations ahead of elections.

On Saturday, violent clashes erupted in the Palestinian village of Kusra in the northern West Bank, where dozens of Israeli settlers attacked residents, reportedly throwing stones and engaging in physical altercations. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, according to local residents and the Israeli military. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an unusually strong condemnation on Sunday, labeling the actions of the settlers as “criminal acts” perpetrated by a “handful of rioters.” He stated that such violence harms the law-abiding Jewish community, obstructs the Israeli military, and damages Israel’s international reputation.

The violence has drawn sharp criticism from abroad, further intensifying pressure on Netanyahu’s government. On the same day, settlers in the southern West Bank village of Umm al-Khair detained a British activist, locking him in a shed for half an hour before handing him over to the police. Additionally, a US NBC News television crew was attacked in the village of Jalud while accompanying a Palestinian woman named Aida to her former home. Masked men armed with sticks and stones reportedly assaulted the journalists, smashed their vehicle’s windshield, and left Aida unconscious. The Foreign Press Association in Israel expressed grave concern over the recurring pattern of violence against journalists, urging authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Netanyahu’s remarks come at a politically sensitive time, with Israeli elections scheduled for the end of October. His rare public criticism of settler violence reflects the delicate balancing act he faces: appeasing international outrage while maintaining support from the influential settler movement, which forms a significant part of his political base. In a televised statement on Sunday evening, Netanyahu emphasized the contributions of the settler community in the West Bank, describing them as law-abiding citizens facing unique security challenges. However, he also warned against actions that could harm their collective reputation.

The broader implications of these incidents highlight the ongoing tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law but are differentiated under Israeli law between government-sanctioned settlements and unauthorized outposts. Human rights activists, such as Nadav Weimann from the group Breaking the Silence, have criticized Netanyahu’s narrative, arguing that settler violence is not limited to isolated incidents but is part of a systemic issue. As international scrutiny grows, the Israeli government faces increasing pressure to address these violent episodes while navigating the political complexities of the upcoming elections.