Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians have almost quadrupled in eight years according to a new report from the United Nations.  It backs up claims that Israeli security forces are failing to stem harassment of Palestinians and the conservative government is stacked with pro-settler politicians disinclined to do anything about it.

It comes as Washington is condemning the torching of a West Bank mosque earlier in the day, a “price tag” attack allegedly carried out by settler extremists, the latest in a trend in which thugs cut down trees, deface mosques and beat Palestinian farmers.  “Price tag” refers to right-wing extremist attacks on Palestinians in response to any Israeli army actions against settlers – making Palestinians pay a price.

But those actions are few and far between.  The settlers have damaged hundreds of trees in the Palestinian village of Qusra, killed 18 sheep, torched six cars, and set fire to a mosque, according to the mayor.  The mayor said Israeli soldiers either stand by during settler attacks or move against Palestinians if the attacks escalate into stone-throwing clashes.

The Israeli Human Rights group Yesh Din says out of 825 police investigations against settlers, indictments have been filed in just 8.5 percent.