Author: AFSI Staff

The Israel Defense Forces is sounding the alarm over a growing terrorist threat from the Judea and Samaria, warning that Iranian-backed arms smuggling could spark an Oct. 7-style attack.

Concerns over the presence of significant Iranian-supplied firepower in the hands of Palestinian terrorists has prompted Israeli intelligence and security forces to intensify operations across the territory.

According to a new report from Israel’s Channel 14, a senior IDF official warned that Judea and Samaria presents a growing threat to Israeli communities, with the potential to spark an attack similar to the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

On Tuesday, the IDF uncovered a major terrorist infrastructure in the Tulkarem area, including three rockets at various stages of assembly, explosive devices, operational equipment, and materials for making bombs.

The terrorist threat grows no matter where the IDF exposes it. It is essential to recognize that the task of constantly uncovering and eradicating this terrorist infrastructure has always lied solely with Israel.

Source:
IDF Warns of Growing West Bank Threat, Presence of Iranian Weapons Amid Major Counterterror Operations, by Ailin Vilches Arguello/The Algemeiner, December 10, 2025

Netanyahu’s Pardon Request
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a presidential pardon from President Isaac Herzog amid his ongoing corruption trial. Normally this isn’t done in Israel before a verdict is reached. However, it is believed that the Trump “peace plan” could be endangered by having Netanyahu remain under indictment with the trial dragging on. This may be a significant factor behind the request.

President Herzog’s Response
President Herzog has stated that he will consider the request with the welfare of the state and Israeli society in mind. He acknowledged the significant public debate surrounding the pardon and emphasized the need for a careful and responsible approach to the decision. We hope that he will do so without regard to his personal political considerations. We are well aware that his primarily left-wing base will not be happy with him if he uses his pardon power.

Public Reaction
The request has sparked protests in Israel, with demonstrators rallying outside Herzog’s home. Left-wing citizens oppose the pardon, fearing it would undermine democratic institutions and suggest that Netanyahu is above the law.

Legal Context
Pardons in Israel are typically granted after legal proceedings have concluded. Netanyahu’s request is considered extraordinary, as it seeks to intervene in an ongoing trial. Legal experts note that while the president has broad discretion in granting pardons, such requests before a conviction are rare. Additionally, a pardon at this point leaves open the question of whether Netanyahu is actually guilty of even the most minor criminal offense, a question that the Prime Minister would in all likelihood prefer to have answered unequivocally.

What are the reasons for President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu?

National Reconciliation
A pardon could promote national unity in Israel, which has been deeply divided due to ongoing political tensions and Netanyahu’s lengthy corruption trial. Netanyahu argues that ending the trial would help lower societal tensions and foster reconciliation among Israelis.

Sovereignty and Leadership
President Isaac Herzog has emphasized Israel’s sovereignty and the importance of making decisions based on the well-being of the Israeli people. Pardoning Netanyahu could be seen as a way to stabilize the political landscape during a tumultuous time, especially with ongoing conflicts in the region.

Legal Considerations
While Netanyahu has not admitted guilt in his pardon request, the legal framework in Israel allows for pardons without an admission of wrongdoing. Herzog has stated that he will consider the request seriously, indicating a willingness to weigh the implications of a pardon on the legal system and public perception.

Support from Allies
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged Herzog to grant a pardon, highlighting the international political dynamics at play. Support from influential allies may pressure Herzog to consider the broader implications of his decision on Israel’s international relations.

Conclusion
Pardoning Netanyahu could address immediate political challenges and promote a sense of unity in Israel, despite the complexities surrounding the legal and ethical implications of such a decision. While no one would be completely happy with the ramifications of a pardon, we believe that relieving a sitting democratically elected leader of a democratic nation from the burden of appearing in court to answer for questionable (to say the least) allegations is an action whose time has come.

Regavim, in collaboration with the Samaria Regional Council, on Monday petitioned the High Court of Justice, demanding immediate enforcement against the Palestinian Authority’s illegal takeover of approximately 46 dunams (12 acres) designated for an industrial zone in Hinanit, an Israeli town in northern Samaria, near the seam line. Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Council, declared that after “years of failure,” it is time for the state “to protect the law and its lands.”

The petition describes the situation as “the theft of public lands and a continuous disregard for the law,” and argues that the lack of enforcement constitutes a serious violation of public security and the state’s property rights.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said, “This is a failure that has persisted for years. This invasion endangers security and harms the region’s economic development. It encroaches on land already designated for an existing settlement. I expect the state to enforce the law without hesitation. It is time to end lawlessness. State lands are not no-man’s land, not in Samaria and not anywhere else.”

Source:
High Court Urged to Crack Down on PA Outpost, by David Israel/The Jewish Edition, December 8, 2025

Last Thursday, the Civil Administration recovered archaeological remains from the declared site of Burj Lasana in Area B of Judea and Samaria. The recovery followed the construction of a structure on the site by PA Arabs, which caused damage to the ancient artifacts.

According to the Civil Administration, the structure contained rare archaeological items taken from a nearby Crusader fortress, including ancient coins, stones, capitals, and stone columns from the Byzantine period. The seized artifacts were transferred to the Archaeological Museum at the Good Samaritan site for research and display.

The archaeological site of Burj Lasana sits atop a hill overlooking Wadi Haramiyya and is considered one of the region’s most significant sites.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories clarified that the construction of the illegal structure caused irreversible damage to the site.

Safeguarding the national heritage and maintaining the historical integrity of this region is a duty that Israel must uphold, particularly in the face of malevolent forces that aim to deliberately inflict damage. This recent report regarding the looting by the PA represents yet another manifestation of terrorism that strives to obliterate and eradicate Israel.

Source:
Israel Seizes Looted Antiquities Hidden in Arab Villa in Judea and Samaria, by David Israel/The Jewish Edition, December 5, 2025

The European Union is changing its approach toward the Palestinian Authority. In a meeting held between EU representatives and senior Palestinian Authority officials toward the end of last month, senior EU officials who are friendly to Israel raised the issue of the PA’s violation of agreements regarding continued payments to terrorists and demanded that they stop transferring funds to those who carried out attacks against Israelis and Jews.

During discussions in Brussels ahead of the meeting of the “Palestine Donors Group” (PDG), in which many European countries and others participate, the Palestinian Authority’s progress in implementing the structural reforms it committed to was examined.

During the discussions, several representatives of member states confronted PA representatives with evidence that they continued to transfer funds to terrorists through alternative channels and expressed their dissatisfaction with the violation of the commitment.

Providing financial support to terrorists as a means of rewarding their heinous acts against the Jewish community constitutes a form of terrorism as well, and it must be halted. This issue has been brought to light for far too long with no resolution in sight. All EU member states that have expressed dissatisfaction to the PA regarding their violation of this matter must now take initiative themselves and put an end to this instrument of terror.

Source:
PA caught with continued terror payments despite promises to EU, by Nissan Shtrauchler and Shachar Kleiman/Israel Hayom, December 4, 2025

Israeli government officials on Sunday inaugurated an upgraded traffic junction outside Evyatar, in Samaria, 18 months after the town’s status was regularized, Arutz 7 reported.

The roadwork, costing 6 million shekels ($1.6 million), added turn lanes, sidewalks, lighting and other critical infrastructure, significantly improving road safety and access to the nascent Jewish community.

“Upgrading the Evyatar Junction is another link in the tremendous momentum we are driving in Judea and Samaria, reflecting our deep national commitment to the region,” said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also oversees civilian matters in Judea and Samaria.

Evyatar is established on legally owned land and possesses the right to develop its infrastructure. AFSI Chizuk Missions visited this area many times with Daniella Weiss of the Nachala organization prior to its being legalized. Each time we were refused entry. How we are delighted to witness its progress and anticipate a robust and expanding Jewish community there. The pioneering spirit exhibited by the residents of Evyatar is truly inspiring!

Source:
Junction near Evyatar inaugurated, 18 months after outpost’s approval, by JNS Staff, December 3, 2025

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told JNS on Monday that the Palestinian Authority “supports, encourages and funds terrorism” and should be replaced by a “completely different,” non-hostile body.

The Western-backed P.A. should be replaced by a civilian administrative body that “does not seek to annihilate the State of Israel,” said Smotrich, speaking at a faction meeting of his Religious Zionist Party in Jerusalem.

“Unfortunately, such a decision has not yet been made by the government I am a member of,” the Cabinet minister added.

Smotrich’s suggestion is quite apt. Terrorist attacks persist across Judea and Samaria while Israel remains engaged in combating the larger terrorist framework. The notion of substituting the Palestinian Authority with a credible administrative entity is a concept that has been overdue for quite some time.

Source:
PA ‘supports and funds terrorism,’ Smotrich says, calling for its dissolution, by Akiva Van Koningsveld, Amelie Botbol/JNS, December 2, 2025

Air pollution from illegal waste burning in the Palestinian Authority kills more than 1,000 Israelis each year, environmental groups told lawmakers last week, as Israel moves to combat what officials are calling a campaign of deliberate “eco-terrorism.”

The Knesset’s Subcommittee on Judea and Samaria Affairs convened on Thursday to address the escalating health crisis caused by smoke from dozens of pirate garbage disposal sites operating across Palestinian Authority-controlled territories.

The toxic fumes, generated by the daily burning of plastics, batteries, and other hazardous materials, have transformed large swaths of central Israel into zones where residents must seal their homes and keep children indoors to avoid respiratory illness.

Some 250,000 Israelis living in communities along the Samaria security barrier face what Channel 12 News described as an “escalating environmental and health emergency.” Tens of thousands of residents in Emek Hefer, Menashe, Shoham, and surrounding towns have reported sleepless nights, strong odors, and respiratory problems.

Eco-terrorism is a real and pressing concern for the inhabitants of Judea and Samaria. It is not simply a fashionable phrase that describes a generation anxious about what they perceive as a worldwide crisis impacting humanity. The eco-terrorism targeting the residents signifies a distinct form of terror that necessitates Israel’s prompt focus. It serves as an additional facet of the ongoing terrorist agenda aimed at damaging and eradicating Israel.

Source:
Knesset Committee: Over 1,400 Israelis Die Annually from Palestinian ‘Eco-Terrorism’, by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz/Israel365News, November 30, 2025

A terrorist on Saturday night hurled an iron rod towards an Israeli vehicle traveling on Route 5 in Samaria, between the Sha’ar Shomron Interchange and Gitai Avisar Junction.

The rod became stuck in the vehicle’s windshield, just beside the driver’s seat, but the driver herself was not harmed physically.

Meirav Ben Avraham, 23, a resident of Ramat Gan who survived the attack, said, “The incident unfolded very quickly and professionally. Forces immediately arrived and helped us. The people living in Samaria deserve to feel safe.”

The international community expresses great enthusiasm for the 21-Point peace plan put forth by President Donald J. Trump. Nevertheless, there are concerns regarding whether this plan sufficiently tackles the pressing need to halt the continuous terror attacks exemplified by this incident. What some may refer to as a “minor crime” is, in fact, a terrorist act that aligns with the Palestinian Authority’s goal of eliminating Israel.

Source:
Miracle: Near-murder in Samaria, by Israel National News, November 29, 2025

The silence that has hung over the Temple Mount for nearly two thousand years was broken last Thursday morning when three Levites ascended Judaism’s holiest site and sang the daily psalm. The moment marks an unprecedented restoration of an ancient Temple service that ceased with the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.

The Levites who participated in the ascent described their experience in a statement: “We were moved today to fulfill (partially) our dream as sons of Levi – to sing the song of God on the holy mountain. Today, thank God, there are several organizations of Levites preparing for the day when we can stand again on the platform, and we invite our Levite brothers to inquire and join.”

The Beyadenu movement for the Temple Mount facilitated the event and helped make it accessible to the public as part of its activities to strengthen the living, values-based, and communal connection to the Temple Mount.

Source:
For the First Time Since the Temple’s Destruction: Levites Return to Sing on Temple Mount, by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz/Israel365News, November 27, 2025