The Israeli settlers behind West Bank conflict with Palestinians | 60 Minutes

Israel has been at war with the Israel has been at war with the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Gaza ever since the massacre of October Gaza ever since the massacre of October Gaza ever since the massacre of October 7th. But there's another increasingly 7th. But there's another increasingly 7th. But there's another increasingly volatile battleground, the West Bank, volatile battleground, the West Bank, volatile battleground, the West Bank, which has been under Israeli military which has been under Israeli military which has been under Israeli military occupation for six decades. occupation for six decades. occupation for six decades. On the West Bank of the Jordan River, On the West Bank of the Jordan River, On the West Bank of the Jordan River, it's home to over 3 million Palestinians it's home to over 3 million Palestinians it's home to over 3 million Palestinians who hope to make it the heart of their who hope to make it the heart of their who hope to make it the heart of their future state. future state. future state. It's also home to over 500,000 Jews who It's also home to over 500,000 Jews who It's also home to over 500,000 Jews who call this Judea and Samaria their call this Judea and Samaria their call this Judea and Samaria their biblical homeland. biblical homeland. biblical homeland. They built communities here called They built communities here called They built communities here called settlements in the hope of making this settlements in the hope of making this settlements in the hope of making this part of Israel. part of Israel. part of Israel. In recent months, some militant settlers In recent months, some militant settlers In recent months, some militant settlers are ramping up their campaign to are ramping up their campaign to are ramping up their campaign to violently drive out the Palestinians who violently drive out the Palestinians who violently drive out the Palestinians who live there, often with impunity, the live there, often with impunity, the live there, often with impunity, the Israeli government showing an Israeli government showing an Israeli government showing an unwillingness to crack down on the unwillingness to crack down on the unwillingness to crack down on the violence. violence. violence. With the Israeli election 2 weeks away, With the Israeli election 2 weeks away, With the Israeli election 2 weeks away, we headed to the arid hilltops of the we headed to the arid hilltops of the we headed to the arid hilltops of the West Bank that have seen shepherds come West Bank that have seen shepherds come West Bank that have seen shepherds come and go for thousands of years.

and go for thousands of years. and go for thousands of years. This is a biblical story. You have two This is a biblical story. You have two This is a biblical story. You have two populations, Jewish and Arab, the populations, Jewish and Arab, the populations, Jewish and Arab, the descendants of Abraham's sons, Isaac and descendants of Abraham's sons, Isaac and descendants of Abraham's sons, Isaac and Ishmael, fighting over ancestral lands. Ishmael, fighting over ancestral lands. Ishmael, fighting over ancestral lands. But with all of today's high-tech war But with all of today's high-tech war But with all of today's high-tech war craft, AI, drones, supersonic missiles, craft, AI, drones, supersonic missiles, craft, AI, drones, supersonic missiles, the weapons they're using here are the weapons they're using here are the weapons they're using here are sticks and stones and sheep. sticks and stones and sheep. sticks and stones and sheep. >> The sheep are amazing. They're dumb, but >> The sheep are amazing. They're dumb, but >> The sheep are amazing. They're dumb, but they're amazing creatures. they're amazing creatures. they're amazing creatures. >> Mordechai Menster co-founded this sheep >> Mordechai Menster co-founded this sheep >> Mordechai Menster co-founded this sheep farm. It's a new kind of settlement here farm. It's a new kind of settlement here farm. It's a new kind of settlement here in the West Bank from where his herd is in the West Bank from where his herd is in the West Bank from where his herd is driven deeper and deeper into the driven deeper and deeper into the driven deeper and deeper into the surrounding Palestinian communities. surrounding Palestinian communities. surrounding Palestinian communities. So the idea is you send your sheep down So the idea is you send your sheep down So the idea is you send your sheep down to graze, and then you can say that's my to graze, and then you can say that's my to graze, and then you can say that's my land because my sheep are grazing on it. land because my sheep are grazing on it. land because my sheep are grazing on it. >> When you have sheep, everyone >> When you have sheep, everyone >> When you have sheep, everyone understands. Arabs tend to fight over understands. Arabs tend to fight over understands. Arabs tend to fight over grazing lands among themselves. It's a grazing lands among themselves. It's a grazing lands among themselves. It's a language that we understand, that they language that we understand, that they language that we understand, that they understand, and it's a way to delineate understand, and it's a way to delineate understand, and it's a way to delineate the border. This is where I graze my the border. This is where I graze my the border. This is where I graze my sheep, you don't take your sheep here, sheep, you don't take your sheep here, sheep, you don't take your sheep here, you don't plant here, you don't build you don't plant here, you don't build you don't plant here, you don't build here.

here. here. >> The sheep have taken over huge swaths of >> The sheep have taken over huge swaths of >> The sheep have taken over huge swaths of land, 20% of the West Bank. land, 20% of the West Bank. land, 20% of the West Bank. In one Palestinian village after the In one Palestinian village after the In one Palestinian village after the next, herds from these farms have next, herds from these farms have next, herds from these farms have pressed in and the village shepherds pressed in and the village shepherds pressed in and the village shepherds pushed out. The mayor of Burqa. pushed out. The mayor of Burqa. pushed out. The mayor of Burqa. >> And they actually seized the land with >> And they actually seized the land with >> And they actually seized the land with the their sheep because the their sheep because the their sheep because >> The settlers even push sheep into >> The settlers even push sheep into >> The settlers even push sheep into people's homes. people's homes. people's homes. A teacher in Al Mu'er. A teacher in Al Mu'er. A teacher in Al Mu'er. >> They enter, they open the gate of the >> They enter, they open the gate of the >> They enter, they open the gate of the house, and take the sheep inside to eat house, and take the sheep inside to eat house, and take the sheep inside to eat the trees around that house. the trees around that house. the trees around that house. >> Some 200 sheep farms have popped up in >> Some 200 sheep farms have popped up in >> Some 200 sheep farms have popped up in recent years, changing something recent years, changing something recent years, changing something fundamental. For decades, Jewish fundamental. For decades, Jewish fundamental. For decades, Jewish settlers had put up fences to protect settlers had put up fences to protect settlers had put up fences to protect themselves from the active threat of themselves from the active threat of themselves from the active threat of Palestinian terrorism. Now, it's the Palestinian terrorism. Now, it's the Palestinian terrorism. Now, it's the Palestinians who are penning themselves Palestinians who are penning themselves Palestinians who are penning themselves in. in. in. This is kind of new, these kinds of This is kind of new, these kinds of This is kind of new, these kinds of farms dotting the West Bank.

farms dotting the West Bank. farms dotting the West Bank. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> And a lot of them, including this one, >> And a lot of them, including this one, >> And a lot of them, including this one, have used violence have used violence have used violence against the villages down around you. against the villages down around you. against the villages down around you. >> Whenever you have >> Whenever you have >> Whenever you have ethnic religious communities, especially ethnic religious communities, especially ethnic religious communities, especially in the Middle East, fighting over land in the Middle East, fighting over land in the Middle East, fighting over land and resources, that conflict sometimes and resources, that conflict sometimes and resources, that conflict sometimes gets ugly. gets ugly. gets ugly. The fact that violence exists The fact that violence exists The fact that violence exists doesn't change the merit of the right doesn't change the merit of the right doesn't change the merit of the right that we have to this land. that we have to this land. that we have to this land. >> The violence is often carried out by >> The violence is often carried out by >> The violence is often carried out by these young shepherds known as hilltop these young shepherds known as hilltop these young shepherds known as hilltop youth who have flocked here for a sense youth who have flocked here for a sense youth who have flocked here for a sense of adventure told they're on a god-given of adventure told they're on a god-given of adventure told they're on a god-given mission to redeem the land. mission to redeem the land. mission to redeem the land. So, they routinely storm Palestinian So, they routinely storm Palestinian So, they routinely storm Palestinian fields and villages, harassing farmers fields and villages, harassing farmers fields and villages, harassing farmers and livestock, and livestock, and livestock, cutting olive trees, over 1,600 cutting olive trees, over 1,600 cutting olive trees, over 1,600 incidents so far this year. incidents so far this year. incidents so far this year. They've torched cars and destroyed They've torched cars and destroyed They've torched cars and destroyed property. property. property. There's a hardcore of up to 500 of them, There's a hardcore of up to 500 of them, There's a hardcore of up to 500 of them, up to 1,000 more drift in and out.

up to 1,000 more drift in and out. up to 1,000 more drift in and out. >> How did they get here? Who are they? >> How did they get here? Who are they? >> How did they get here? Who are they? >> Those are kids that are ranging age >> Those are kids that are ranging age >> Those are kids that are ranging age between, I don't know, 15 and 25. They between, I don't know, 15 and 25. They between, I don't know, 15 and 25. They don't do great in school. They don't get don't do great in school. They don't get don't do great in school. They don't get into the army that easily cuz maybe into the army that easily cuz maybe into the army that easily cuz maybe behavioral problems. So, some of them behavioral problems. So, some of them behavioral problems. So, some of them end up in places like this taking care end up in places like this taking care end up in places like this taking care of sheep, doing construction. Some of of sheep, doing construction. Some of of sheep, doing construction. Some of these kids may have drug problems. They these kids may have drug problems. They these kids may have drug problems. They smoke pot, they grow pot. smoke pot, they grow pot. smoke pot, they grow pot. >> The American ambassador to Israel has >> The American ambassador to Israel has >> The American ambassador to Israel has said that the violence against these said that the violence against these said that the violence against these Palestinian farmers is terrorism. He's Palestinian farmers is terrorism. He's Palestinian farmers is terrorism. He's called it thuggish and disgusting. called it thuggish and disgusting. called it thuggish and disgusting. >> I wouldn't classify it as terrorism, but >> I wouldn't classify it as terrorism, but >> I wouldn't classify it as terrorism, but are there some children who are there some children who are there some children who overreact and act in thuggish ways and overreact and act in thuggish ways and overreact and act in thuggish ways and need to be controlled and held in, yeah, need to be controlled and held in, yeah, need to be controlled and held in, yeah, definitely. definitely. definitely. >> People have died. >> People have died. >> People have died. >> Yes. None of this is great and none of >> Yes. None of this is great and none of >> Yes. None of this is great and none of this changes the fact that our right to this changes the fact that our right to this changes the fact that our right to be here is legal and it's ancient. be here is legal and it's ancient. be here is legal and it's ancient. >> This is not how the Palestinians who >> This is not how the Palestinians who >> This is not how the Palestinians who live directly down the hill from his live directly down the hill from his live directly down the hill from his farm see it.

farm see it. farm see it. >> They come over here and they shepherd >> They come over here and they shepherd >> They come over here and they shepherd here. here. here. >> Mahmoud Faraj's family has had the deed >> Mahmoud Faraj's family has had the deed >> Mahmoud Faraj's family has had the deed to this land for generations. to this land for generations. to this land for generations. We talked to him, his cousin Hassan, and We talked to him, his cousin Hassan, and We talked to him, his cousin Hassan, and Hassan's daughter Salma about their Hassan's daughter Salma about their Hassan's daughter Salma about their village called Janada that means village called Janada that means village called Janada that means paradise. paradise. paradise. >> Actually, it was a paradise >> Actually, it was a paradise >> Actually, it was a paradise until the 26th of March when a until the 26th of March when a until the 26th of March when a group of settlers group of settlers group of settlers invaders invaders invaders entered to our land, our property, entered to our land, our property, entered to our land, our property, private property and they establish private property and they establish private property and they establish tent. tent. tent. They were something like 20 people, 25 They were something like 20 people, 25 They were something like 20 people, 25 people. people. people. >> And they started to behave that they are >> And they started to behave that they are >> And they started to behave that they are the owners of everything. the owners of everything. the owners of everything. >> Hilltop boys set up this outpost, what >> Hilltop boys set up this outpost, what >> Hilltop boys set up this outpost, what Hassan calls a tent, literally in his Hassan calls a tent, literally in his Hassan calls a tent, literally in his backyard, cutting off access to one of backyard, cutting off access to one of backyard, cutting off access to one of their families' houses. their families' houses. their families' houses. >> This is my cousin's house over there. >> This is my cousin's house over there. >> This is my cousin's house over there. He's not allowed to go there at all.

He's not allowed to go there at all. He's not allowed to go there at all. >> The young shepherds are trying to force >> The young shepherds are trying to force >> The young shepherds are trying to force the villagers to leave. the villagers to leave. the villagers to leave. >> They are succeeding. If you go around >> They are succeeding. If you go around >> They are succeeding. If you go around them, you will see many houses they just them, you will see many houses they just them, you will see many houses they just left, really empty, abandoned. They left, really empty, abandoned. They left, really empty, abandoned. They abandoned their property. They steal abandoned their property. They steal abandoned their property. They steal electricity from the locals and they electricity from the locals and they electricity from the locals and they also steal water. This is their strategy also steal water. This is their strategy also steal water. This is their strategy to make the area to make the area to make the area unlivable. unlivable. unlivable. >> Every time the family tries to get near >> Every time the family tries to get near >> Every time the family tries to get near their house, they say teens from the their house, they say teens from the their house, they say teens from the outpost rush down to beat them up. outpost rush down to beat them up. outpost rush down to beat them up. In March, Hassan tried with his uncle In March, Hassan tried with his uncle In March, Hassan tried with his uncle and cousin Mohammad. and cousin Mohammad. and cousin Mohammad. >> Within few seconds, they started to >> Within few seconds, they started to >> Within few seconds, they started to attack us in small groups with attack us in small groups with attack us in small groups with wood sticks and with stones and they wood sticks and with stones and they wood sticks and with stones and they have tear gas have tear gas have tear gas and three of them they were armed. and three of them they were armed. and three of them they were armed. So, one of the armed guys, he started to So, one of the armed guys, he started to So, one of the armed guys, he started to shoot. He shot my cousin in his head. shoot. He shot my cousin in his head. shoot. He shot my cousin in his head. And it didn't stop here. They came and And it didn't stop here. They came and And it didn't stop here. They came and they started to beat my uncle and his they started to beat my uncle and his they started to beat my uncle and his son who was dead with wood with wood son who was dead with wood with wood son who was dead with wood with wood sticks.

>> Was anybody prosecuted for the death of >> Was anybody prosecuted for the death of your cousin? your cousin? your cousin? >> It's an open case, what's so called. >> It's an open case, what's so called. >> It's an open case, what's so called. >> Mohammed's family is skeptical. Only a >> Mohammed's family is skeptical. Only a >> Mohammed's family is skeptical. Only a tiny number of these cases ever get tiny number of these cases ever get tiny number of these cases ever get prosecuted. prosecuted. prosecuted. Mohammed's brother, also named Hassan, Mohammed's brother, also named Hassan, Mohammed's brother, also named Hassan, tried to take us to the family's house. tried to take us to the family's house. tried to take us to the family's house. But within seconds, the hilltop youth in But within seconds, the hilltop youth in But within seconds, the hilltop youth in their black hoodies came running down their black hoodies came running down their black hoodies came running down the hill one after the other. the hill one after the other. the hill one after the other. Soon the teens were blocking Hassan from Soon the teens were blocking Hassan from Soon the teens were blocking Hassan from reaching the house in the distance. Some reaching the house in the distance. Some reaching the house in the distance. Some were very young. were very young. were very young. As they shoved and rammed, Hassan kept As they shoved and rammed, Hassan kept As they shoved and rammed, Hassan kept his hands behind his back so they his hands behind his back so they his hands behind his back so they couldn't accuse him of hitting them. couldn't accuse him of hitting them. couldn't accuse him of hitting them. >> That means I'm not fighting with you. >> That means I'm not fighting with you. >> That means I'm not fighting with you. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> A group of Jewish activists called Sons >> A group of Jewish activists called Sons >> A group of Jewish activists called Sons of Abraham were there as well. of Abraham were there as well. of Abraham were there as well. What they do is try to protect What they do is try to protect What they do is try to protect Palestinians under siege. Palestinians under siege. Palestinians under siege. They stepped between Hassan and the They stepped between Hassan and the They stepped between Hassan and the teens like human shields.

teens like human shields. teens like human shields. The idea being that settlers would be The idea being that settlers would be The idea being that settlers would be more hesitant to attack other Jews as opposed to Hassan. as opposed to Hassan. >> They are trying to push us back. They >> They are trying to push us back. They >> They are trying to push us back. They don't want us to enter with the cameras. don't want us to enter with the cameras. don't want us to enter with the cameras. So, they are pushing and waiting for So, they are pushing and waiting for So, they are pushing and waiting for someone to react with his hand so they someone to react with his hand so they someone to react with his hand so they have an excuse for more extreme have an excuse for more extreme have an excuse for more extreme violence. violence. violence. >> Most of the activists, like the >> Most of the activists, like the >> Most of the activists, like the settlers, grew up in right-wing settlers, grew up in right-wing settlers, grew up in right-wing religious homes. religious homes. religious homes. This young woman was once a hilltop This young woman was once a hilltop This young woman was once a hilltop youth herself. youth herself. youth herself. But Amona, Dvir, and Roi say Judaism But Amona, Dvir, and Roi say Judaism But Amona, Dvir, and Roi say Judaism calls on them to protect, not expel, calls on them to protect, not expel, calls on them to protect, not expel, their neighbors. their neighbors. their neighbors. >> So, here's something that I heard, >> So, here's something that I heard, >> So, here's something that I heard, Amona, that when the settlers see you, Amona, that when the settlers see you, Amona, that when the settlers see you, they get even angrier because they see they get even angrier because they see they get even angrier because they see you as traitors. >> I think they are angrier because we >> I think they are angrier because we threaten them ideologically. threaten them ideologically. threaten them ideologically. And also, I'm not coming from the And also, I'm not coming from the And also, I'm not coming from the outside. I also grew up as a settler.

outside. I also grew up as a settler. outside. I also grew up as a settler. I tell them, I changed my ways. I tell them, I changed my ways. I tell them, I changed my ways. I know what you're doing, and I know I know what you're doing, and I know I know what you're doing, and I know it's not the right way. it's not the right way. it's not the right way. >> Do you know each other? And do they >> Do you know each other? And do they >> Do you know each other? And do they recognize you, you recognize them? recognize you, you recognize them? recognize you, you recognize them? >> Yes, sometimes. >> Yes, sometimes. >> Yes, sometimes. >> You know them? >> You know them? >> You know them? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. It must be painful for you. >> Yeah. It must be painful for you. >> Yeah. It must be painful for you. >> I think it's painful for me to see how >> I think it's painful for me to see how >> I think it's painful for me to see how people I grew up with, some of them people I grew up with, some of them people I grew up with, some of them were good friends of mine, behave. were good friends of mine, behave. were good friends of mine, behave. >> But he must say that about you. >> But he must say that about you. >> But he must say that about you. >> Probably. >> One of the older boys was particularly >> One of the older boys was particularly belligerent. So much for Jews not belligerent. So much for Jews not belligerent. So much for Jews not attacking Jews. attacking Jews. attacking Jews. Oh, I'm a an American journalist. Oh, I'm a an American journalist. Oh, I'm a an American journalist. >> Huh? >> Huh? >> Huh? And you are in a with Hamas? And you are in a with Hamas? And you are in a with Hamas? >> No. >> No. >> No. >> He really got into it with Hassan. >> He really got into it with Hassan. >> He really got into it with Hassan. Head-butting him in the face. Head-butting him in the face. Head-butting him in the face. >> Oh, they're really hurting people now. >> Oh, they're really hurting people now. >> Oh, they're really hurting people now. >> Hassan shouted back, "This is my land, >> Hassan shouted back, "This is my land, >> Hassan shouted back, "This is my land, and you won't stay. These are my roots."

and you won't stay. These are my roots." and you won't stay. These are my roots." Then Then Then he got bashed again. he got bashed again. he got bashed again. This time fracturing his nose. Hassan and the activist decided it was Hassan and the activist decided it was time to retreat, but the settlers time to retreat, but the settlers time to retreat, but the settlers blocked them. blocked them. blocked them. >> Are all your people out? >> Are all your people out? >> Are all your people out? >> No, no. There's still two. >> No, no. There's still two. >> No, no. There's still two. >> Still two? >> Still two? >> Still two? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Just as things were getting out of hand a captain in the Israeli army turned up, a captain in the Israeli army turned up, seemingly out of nowhere. seemingly out of nowhere. seemingly out of nowhere. The soldiers had to go down the road to The soldiers had to go down the road to The soldiers had to go down the road to rescue the last two activists, rescue the last two activists, rescue the last two activists, and then he told all of us to clear out. and then he told all of us to clear out. and then he told all of us to clear out. >> But are you going to let the boys go >> But are you going to let the boys go >> But are you going to let the boys go back there? back there? back there? >> thought >> thought >> thought >> I'm going to go back to where they are. >> I'm going to go back to where they are. >> I'm going to go back to where they are. >> Come up there. >> Come up there. >> Come up there. So, Hassan was kicked off his own So, Hassan was kicked off his own So, Hassan was kicked off his own property. property. property. The Jewish youth got to stay. The Jewish youth got to stay. The Jewish youth got to stay. The army's priority is the settlers. The army's priority is the settlers. The army's priority is the settlers. Some soldiers are settlers themselves Some soldiers are settlers themselves Some soldiers are settlers themselves and occasionally join the violence.

and occasionally join the violence. and occasionally join the violence. Though there've also been cases where Though there've also been cases where Though there've also been cases where the soldiers have been attacked by the the soldiers have been attacked by the the soldiers have been attacked by the young settlers. young settlers. young settlers. The Trump administration has called on The Trump administration has called on The Trump administration has called on Netanyahu to deal with the violence and Netanyahu to deal with the violence and Netanyahu to deal with the violence and he has condemned it. he has condemned it. he has condemned it. But his government has poured tens of But his government has poured tens of But his government has poured tens of millions of dollars into expanding the millions of dollars into expanding the millions of dollars into expanding the sheep farms, arming them, sheep farms, arming them, sheep farms, arming them, and giving them American-made and giving them American-made and giving them American-made off-roaders. off-roaders. off-roaders. >> People call it settler violence. I don't >> People call it settler violence. I don't >> People call it settler violence. I don't agree with that. It is state violent. agree with that. It is state violent. agree with that. It is state violent. There is a violence There is a violence There is a violence of the government. of the government. of the government. >> Hanging over all of this are the >> Hanging over all of this are the >> Hanging over all of this are the midterms in the US in 3 weeks. If the midterms in the US in 3 weeks. If the midterms in the US in 3 weeks. If the Democrats win, they're threatening to Democrats win, they're threatening to Democrats win, they're threatening to limit military aid to Israel in part limit military aid to Israel in part limit military aid to Israel in part because they say of the West Bank because they say of the West Bank because they say of the West Bank attacks. attacks. attacks. What about American public opinion? Do What about American public opinion? Do What about American public opinion? Do you worry that what's going on here you worry that what's going on here you worry that what's going on here >> is going to result in Israel losing >> is going to result in Israel losing >> is going to result in Israel losing military aid from the United States? military aid from the United States? military aid from the United States? >> I'm bothered by the fact that America's >> I'm bothered by the fact that America's >> I'm bothered by the fact that America's turning on us and we're turning on turning on us and we're turning on turning on us and we're turning on America. It's like I see it as losing a America. It's like I see it as losing a America. It's like I see it as losing a friendship. And I'm also concerned that friendship. And I'm also concerned that friendship. And I'm also concerned that as a military ally, as a political ally, as a military ally, as a political ally, as a military ally, as a political ally, we may lose America as well. It looks we may lose America as well. It looks we may lose America as well. It looks like it's going in that direction. But like it's going in that direction. But like it's going in that direction. But Israel will find other allies.

Israel will find other allies. Israel will find other allies. >> You're not worried enough about it >> You're not worried enough about it >> You're not worried enough about it to dial back. to dial back. to dial back. >> No, I am worried about that, but I don't >> No, I am worried about that, but I don't >> No, I am worried about that, but I don't look at it as a as an existential look at it as a as an existential look at it as a as an existential threat. threat. threat. >> Meanwhile, over a hundred Palestinian >> Meanwhile, over a hundred Palestinian >> Meanwhile, over a hundred Palestinian communities have been displaced or communities have been displaced or communities have been displaced or erased by the settler violence and the erased by the settler violence and the erased by the settler violence and the ever encroaching sheep.