For the first time, the U.S. State Department’s 2013 Country Report on Terrorism included a reference to Jewish extremists and their attacks on Palestinians, reports AFP.
“Attacks by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinian residents, property, and places of worship in the West Bank continues and were largely unprosecuted,” said the report.
Israeli police challenged the report on Thursday, saying the incidents could not be likened to militant attacks.
“There’s no comparison whatsoever between criminal incidents with nationalistic motives and terrorist-related incidents,” an Israel police spokesman told AFP.
Israeli officials say they have special units to investigate attacks against Palestinians and that there are currently a number of ongoing investigations.
According to AFP, the UN reported 399 attacks by extremist Israeli settlers that resulted in Palestinian injuries or property damage.
But Israelis were steadfast in their disapproval of comparing the vandalism to terrorism.
“You cannot compare whatsoever between terrorist acts, the cold-blooded killing of Israelis, and vandalism on that level,” an Israeli official said.
