‘Exterminate the beasts’: How Israeli settlers took revenge for a murder in the West Bank

Last month, a violent rampage occurred in the West Bank as Israeli settlers took revenge for a murder. The settlers incited and coordinated attacks using WhatsApp, resulting in a disturbing display of hostility and brutality. The incident began when a Palestinian man named Mahmud Tawalba was suspected of killing an Israeli woman, Esther Horgen, while she was out jogging. This tragic event sparked anger and fear among Israeli settlers living in the West Bank, who saw it as an opportunity to exact revenge on the Palestinian population. Instead of allowing the authorities to handle the situation, some settlers took matters into their own hands. They formed a group on WhatsApp and used the platform to share information and coordinate attacks against Palestinians in the area. The messages exchanged in the group were filled with hatred and a call for violence, as those involved sought to "exterminate the beasts" and "avenge Esther's blood." The attacks orchestrated by the settlers were characterized by their extreme brutality. They targeted innocent Palestinians who had no connection to the murder, inflicting severe injuries and damage. Vicious beatings, stabbings, and even the burning of Palestinian cars became commonplace during this disturbing period. The use of WhatsApp to organize these attacks raises serious concerns about the influence of social media platforms in promoting violence and hate speech. It highlights the potential for such platforms to be used as tools for incitement and the coordination of criminal activities. The violence perpetrated by these Israeli settlers is not representative of the entire population. However, it does