Israeli General Calls Out Double Standard in Handling Palestinian and Settler Violence

Major-General Avi Bluth, commander of the Israeli army in the West Bank, made comments that have been leaked and published by the Israeli liberal daily Haaretz. The comments, which were undated, reveal a two-tier firing policy and acknowledge prejudice against Palestinians.

According to Bluth, Israel has been successful in its policies in the occupied territory, stating that the military is “killing like we haven’t killed since 1967.” He also claimed that villages are being turned into conflict zones. Critically, he admitted that Israel is practicing a two-tier firing policy, where stone-throwing by Palestinians is considered terrorism, but not by Israeli settlers.

Bluth stated that the military had killed 42 Palestinian stone-throwers in 2025. However, he claimed to avoid firing at Israeli settlers throwing stones at Israeli forces due to what he described as “profound societal consequences.” In contrast, Bluth acknowledged that Israel is actively avoiding firing at Palestinians who throw stones.

The comments have been met with criticism from rights groups and analysts, who point out the double standard in Israel’s policies. The Israeli government has recently passed legislation allowing for the death penalty only for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, and introduced legislation that could be described as the “de facto annexation” of the territory.

According to Orly Noy, editor of Local Call, Bluth’s comments are a reflection of the increasing nationalistic tone in Israeli society. Yair Dvir from B’Tselem stated that statements like Bluth’s have become everyday comments for politicians and military leaders, as they feel there is no longer any reason to hide Israel’s apartheid policies.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported escalating tensions in the occupied territory under cover of the US-Israel war on Iran.

Source: Al Jazeera