📌Pinned Headlines | October 20, 2026

Violence in the West Bank/Judea & Samaria has once again made headlines, led by reports of unacceptable attacks by Israeli extremists against a Washington Post journalist and a French official. Israeli authorities have launched investigations of both incidents and made 10 arrests so far. We support all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice. Because misinformation and conflicting narratives spread rapidly in cases like this, it is important to understand the broader context. - In 2025, the IDF reported 867 attacks by Israeli extremists, 128 of which were more severe (shootings, arson, and other violent crimes). They also report that this violence against both Palestinians and Israeli security forces has grown worse in recent years. - Israeli authorities estimate that hundreds of Israeli extremists engage in violence, with a smaller group carrying out more severe attacks. While these extremists are a tiny minority out of more than 500,000 Israeli settlers who live in the region, they are causing immense harm. - The West Bank/Judea & Samaria is a conflict zone where many actors spread misinformation. Alongside real harm done by Israeli extremists, there are misleading claims that distort the issues. - The UN claims there are far more cases of "settler violence" than the data reported by the IDF. However, researchers found that UN numbers are vastly inflated (i.e. by counting traffic accidents and Jews walking on the Temple Mount as violent attacks). - In 2025, the Shin Bet (Israel's version of the FBI) reported thousands of attacks by Palestinian extremists in the region. 4,675 stone throwing, Molotov cocktail, pipe bomb, and arson/tire burning attacks against Israeli targets were recorded - most of them in the West Bank/Judea & Samaria. Israeli authorities reportedly prevented 1,374 major attacks, including shootings, IEDs, stabbings, car rammings, suicide bombings, and kidnappings. Terrorists also managed to carry out 54 major attacks against Israelis. News reports and social media posts often ignore this violence completely. - Brief clips often spread on social media with little to no context. As we write, some videos are being used to blame Israeli extremists for violence near the village of Abu Falah, while others are being used to blame Palestinian extremists for starting the clash. In many cases, the full story does not become clear until later on. - Terrorist threats and deep distrust between Israelis and Palestinians reportedly make it difficult to conduct successful criminal investigations in the region. There is widespread misinformation about "settler violence" which does nothing to help Israelis or Palestinians. At the same time, there is a very real threat posed by Israeli extremists. Senior Israeli officials, opposition leaders, and key figures in the settlement movement have said Israel must change the reality on the ground by enforcing law and order. The Shin Bet (Israel's version of the FBI) has reportedly been tasked with stopping the attacks. We hope they succeed for the sake of Israelis and Palestinians alike. timesofisrael.com/liveblog_e…

🚨 The IDF and Shin Bet announced they have eliminated a Hamas terrorist who kidnapped Shani Louk on October 7, 2023. On October 7, 2023, she was at the Nova Festival in southern Israel, a celebration of life and freedom. That day, she was brutally murdered and kidnapped into Gaza by Hamas terrorists, her body paraded through the streets of Gaza. She was recovered by the IDF from Gaza on May 17, 2024. Her image became one of the most recognized symbols of October 7, 2023. May her memory forever be a blessing. 🕯️

A horrifying attack on Jewish women in the streets of London. Three Jewish women were assaulted in London, England, including one who was pushing a baby in a stroller. At least two of the women were punched in the face. A suspect has been arrested, and the incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime.

“I think you have to not be afraid to be confrontational…” | Israeli journalist Lahav Harkov offers advice to aspiring advocates and journalists on the StandWithUs podcast. For the full show: bit.ly/4shk2Ie @LahavHarkov @michaeldickson

Loay Alshareef- you spoke brilliantly last night at the @StandWithUs San Diego gala! Thank you @lalshareef for always working to bring truth to so many.

Thank you Idan Raichel for sharing your incredible talent with us last night at the @StandWithUs San Diego Gala! Everyone loves you 💕🇮🇱💪

People waving Israeli flags aren’t smashing people’s businesses and burning their cities in Europe. Just an observation.

“I don’t know that I ever would have imagined what we saw on February 28th when the Americans and the Israelis took off together…” | Defense expert Yaakov Katz discusses the strength of the Israel-U.S. alliance and their unprecedented military cooperation against the Iranian regime. For the full show: bit.ly/4Bnfhku @yaakovkatz @michaeldickson

“Now they [Israelis] feel it [antisemitism] when they travel abroad…” | Israeli journalist Lahav Harkov discusses how rising antisemitism abroad has become a major issue ahead of Israel’s upcoming elections on the StandWithUs podcast. For the full show: bit.ly/4shk2Ie @LahavHarkov @michaeldickson

If you could choose only one path, which one would you choose?

When Jewish-owned businesses are attacked, there is no room for neutrality, only condemnation.

Absolutely unacceptable: an Israeli woman was targeted and harassed by a mob of extremists at a mall in Istanbul, Turkey. Where is the outrage?

Representing Israel 🇮🇱 at Miss Universe 2026 is Danielle Yablonka 💫 In 2018, she was a StandWithUs High School Intern who loved Israel but was too afraid to speak up for it. Today, she is Miss Israel! 🗳️ Voting is now OPEN for the Fan Vote, and your vote can make the difference! The winner will earn a spot in the Top 30. Help Danielle secure her place among the Top 30 finalists. Every vote counts! Support Miss Israel on her journey to becoming the next Miss Universe! 👑🥳 🗳️ Vote now: bit.ly/4zDlk2t

🚨 An Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna was diverted to Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 18 after a bomb threat. A Bulgarian fighter jet escorted the plane, which was carrying 51 passengers and 6 crew members. This is the 2nd bomb threat against a flight to or from Israel in recent days. Israeli travelers should be able to fly without fear, and these threats target far more than one plane.

A HERO! In his own words - the Indian captain who refused to let 174 people die. Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed multiple times by his co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, as flydubai flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv plummeted 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. Bleeding and barely abl

📌Today's top headlines:

We wish Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine a speedy recovery and support all efforts to bring the extremists who attacked her to justice.

COGAT reports that terror group Hamas demands NIS 10,000 per truck and threatens merchants who refuse to pay. One merchant’s son was reportedly arrested. Now merchants have suspended truck coordination out of fear. Hamas is sabotaging Gaza’s supply of goods to fund its own terror operations.

According to a New York Post report, the FBI arrested Steven Duenas (51) over an alleged molotov cocktail attack plot targeting a Jewish preschool in Los Angeles and threats against Jews online. This is part of a deeply alarming surge in antisemitism sweeping across the United States and around the globe.