Israel’s Shin Bet ‘downgrades settler assault from terror attacks to serious incidents’

Israel's internal security agency, the Shin Bet, has reportedly downgraded its classification of settler assaults against Palestinians from “terror attacks” to “serious incidents.” This change, initiated about a year ago, means only attacks with a “clear intent to kill” will be classified as terrorism by the agency's Jewish Division. Consequently, common incidents like arson attacks on buildings or vehicles in the occupied West Bank will now be treated as less severe, affecting the allocation of investigative resources. This policy shift comes amid a surge in settler violence, with reports indicating a 25 percent rise in attacks in 2025 compared to the previous year.