The letter cautioned that Israeli security services have been effective against Palestinian terror groups but hamstrung when it comes to curbing Jewish extremists. “This is actually government policy because this is violence that is designed to take more and more of the West Bank,” said Jacobs. They also take part in “protective presence” visits to the West Bank in solidarity with Palestinians threatened by Jewish settlers. Right-leaning groups have either downplayed the extent of the violence or say Jews living in the West Bank have been provoked by neighboring Palestinians. It also cited official Israeli data suggesting that violence by Jewish civilians in the West Bank had declined significantly since March.