Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo has issued a stark warning that escalating violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank bears disturbing similarities to historical atrocities against Jews during the Holocaust, describing the situation as an “existential threat” to Israel itself. His remarks, delivered after visiting Palestinian communities affected by recent attacks, have intensified debate within Israel over the consequences of ongoing unrest in the occupied territory.
Pardo, whose mother survived the Holocaust, said the scenes he witnessed in Palestinian villages deeply affected him. Drawing a direct and highly controversial comparison, he stated that the violence reminded him of persecution faced by Jews in the last century. He added that the experience left him feeling ashamed, underscoring the moral weight of his criticism and the seriousness of his concerns about Israel’s current trajectory.
Additional reporting from Haaretz provides deeper context into Pardo’s transformation from a career intelligence official into one of the most outspoken critics of Israeli policy. Far from being a fringe voice, Pardo is a veteran of the elite Sayeret Matkal unit and participated in the historic Operation Entebbe alongside the brother of current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He later rose through the ranks of Mossad, leading the agency between 2011 and 2016, where he played a central role in efforts to counter Iran’s nuclear program.
During his tenure, Mossad operations reportedly targeted key Iranian nuclear scientists, aligning closely with Netanyahu’s strategic focus on Tehran as Israel’s primary threat. Yet in the years since leaving office, Pardo has increasingly argued that Israel’s greatest danger lies not abroad but within its own policies toward Palestinians. He has previously described Israel as an apartheid state and publicly called for a cease-fire during the Gaza war, labeling the conflict as futile and destructive.
His latest remarks follow a visit to West Bank villages alongside other former senior officials, including Amram Mitzna and Matan Vilnai. The group documented conditions faced by Palestinian residents subjected to repeated attacks by extremist settler groups, often referred to as “hilltop youth.” According to testimonies gathered during the tour, these groups have carried out systematic harassment, including nighttime assaults, property destruction, and intimidation aimed at forcing Palestinians to abandon their homes.
In one account described by Haaretz, a Palestinian shepherd recounted being ambushed, beaten, and restrained by settlers. Pardo reportedly listened in silence before delivering his stark assessment, emphasizing that such actions evoke historical patterns of persecution. He further accused Israeli authorities of knowingly allowing the violence to continue, alleging that political and financial support for settlers has contributed to a climate of impunity.
The West Bank, captured by Israel during the Six-Day War, remains a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli settlements in the territory have long been a source of tension, with Palestinians seeking the land for a future state. In recent months, reports from human rights organizations and local witnesses indicate a surge in violence, including arson attacks, shootings, and assaults on civilians. In one recent incident, two Palestinians, including a teenage boy, were killed near a school.
According to the Israeli human rights group Yesh Din, hundreds of such incidents have been recorded in a short span, with casualties mounting as tensions escalate. The violence intensified during a broader period of regional conflict, further destabilizing the area and raising concerns among security analysts.
Pardo warned that the current trajectory risks triggering a large-scale escalation similar to the 2023 attack carried out by Hamas, which resulted in significant loss of life and led to a devastating war in Gaza. He argued that the unchecked actions of settlers, combined with government inaction, are “planting the seeds” for future violence that could be even more complex and dangerous.
His comments also reflect a broader reassessment among some Israeli security veterans, who now question long-held assumptions about the country’s primary threats. While Iran has traditionally been viewed as the central existential danger, Pardo and others argue that unresolved tensions with Palestinians, and the erosion of legal and moral norms in the West Bank, may pose a more immediate risk to Israel’s stability and international standing.
