Over the past few days, Israeli security agencies have been warning about escalating tensions in the West Bank. They fear that violent demonstrations and attacks on Palestinian property registered ever since the death of Ahuvia Sandak on Dec. 21 could continue and even spread.

More so, according to data published on Jan. 9, December 2020 was the most nationalist-violent month since the beginning of 2017. Israeli security agencies registered 41 "price tag" incidents, which is the name used for vengeance crimes carried out by Israeli extremists against Palestinians and against Palestinian buildings and property. Most of these December attacks were the throwing of stones and rocks at Palestinians in the West Bank, with seven people in total injured. A report by the Yesh Din Volunteers for Human Rights nonprofit organization on Jan. 1 said the group had recorded 25 attacks against Palestinians and their property since Sandak was killed — in other words, 25 incidents in ten days.

As aforementioned, the increase of violence by settlers and far-right activists is linked to the death of 16-year-old Sandak last month. He was killed when the car he was sitting in collided with a police car and then overturned. It happened during a car chase as police officers tried to detain five settlers — Hilltop Youth — suspected of throwing stones at Palestinians. Police said the driver lost control of the vehicle.

In contrast, settlers are claiming a police car ramming the vehicle caused the crash. The family of Sandak had petitioned the court for the incident to be investigated. They blame the police for the death of their son and also claim that the officers on the scene prevented rescue forces from reacting promptly. The Jerusalem Shalom Court received the petition, and a judge is expected to start examining it today.