What's happened
Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth has reportedly said the Israeli army is "killing like we haven’t killed since 1967" while acknowledging a two-tier policy that charges Palestinian stone-throwers as terrorists and avoids firing at settlers. Leaked remarks coincide with ongoing settler violence, new outposts, and debates over military justice and law in the West Bank.
What's behind the headline?
Context and implications
- The leaked remarks highlight a growing rightward shift in Israeli politics and military leadership, with officials referencing apartheid-era comparisons.
- The two-tier policy—discriminating in enforcement between Palestinians and settlers—has long been scrutinized by rights groups and international observers.
- The remarks arrive as international attention concentrates on West Bank security policies and the impact on Palestinian civilians, including deaths and displacements.
What to watch
- Will the Israeli government respond with policy changes or legal reforms?
- How will international actors react, especially if the comments influence future military engagements?
- Are protests or diplomatic efforts likely to increase in response to the leaked statements?
How we got here
The remarks originate from Haaretz reports about a closed forum. They come amid a broader pattern of Israeli-West Bank tensions, including a legal framework that differentiates Palestinians under military law from Israeli settlers under civilian courts, and ongoing settler violence following the 7 October 2023 Gaza war.
Our analysis
Al Jazeera reports on Avi Bluth’s comments and contextual quotes; The Guardian provides an account of the same remarks and the wider reaction; UN OCHA data on fatalities in 2025 and related incidents provides background figures.
Go deeper
- How are Western governments framing this in diplomacy or aid?
- What legal changes are being proposed, if any, in response to the two-tier system?
- How might this affect Palestinian civilians on the ground in the West Bank?
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