Israeli settler rabbi says Palestinians should leave the occupied West Bank

What happened

Al Jazeera Gaza reports that an Israeli settler rabbi, Menachem Ben Shahar, told peace activists that non-Jews in Israel lack national rights. The video shows him saying even a five-year-old loses their right to exist if their parents are considered enemies and explicitly calls for Arabs to be removed from the occupied West Bank.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. These remarks come amid ongoing conflict-related developments where issues of displacement, rights, and civilian protections remain highly sensitive and contested. The call for removal intensifies concerns about potential forced displacement or further restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank, a key focal point in ongoing regional tensions.

Such statements by a settler figure may exacerbate divisions and complicate efforts around ceasefire talks, hostage negotiations, and humanitarian access that continue to be critical in the broader Gaza and West Bank context.

Known from the source

• Israeli settler rabbi Menachem Ben Shahar is shown in a video telling peace activists that non-Jews in Israel have no national rights.
• He said that a five-year-old loses their right to exist if their parents are enemies.
• He called for Arabs to be removed from the occupied West Bank.

What remains unclear

The source does not provide independent verification of the rabbi’s broader influence or official sanction for these views, and it is unclear how representative these opinions are within settler or Israeli leadership circles.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Confirm the authenticity and date of the video showing Menachem Ben Shahar’s statements. Check for any official responses or denials from Israeli authorities or settler groups. Verify the current influence or position of Menachem Ben Shahar within settler communities or Israeli society.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Gaza. Open the source.