The appeal was made in an open letter coordinated by the London Initiative, a liberal Zionist network, following a surge in killings and arson attacks targeting Palestinian civilians in March.

Among the prominent signatories is former British foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind, alongside diplomats, academics, philanthropists and religious leaders from across Europe, North America, Africa and Australia.

The letter describes the attacks by “Jewish extremists” as an “abomination,” accusing Israeli authorities of failing to act decisively despite having the capacity to protect civilians in areas under their control.

It further warns that continued violence risks damaging Israel’s global standing and its relationship with future generations of Jews worldwide.

In response, President Herzog acknowledged what he termed a “surge of violence” by extremist elements in the West Bank, also referred to as Judea and Samaria in Israeli terminology. He said such acts contradict Israel’s founding values and pledged that authorities would use all available means to bring perpetrators to justice.

Herzog also cautioned that vigilantism and attacks on civilians undermine Israel’s security efforts and fuel international criticism at a time of heightened conflict and rising antisemitism globally.

The latest appeal follows an earlier letter sent in August 2025 to Benjamin Netanyahu, which called for humanitarian relief in Gaza, enforcement of law in the West Bank, and an end to inflammatory rhetoric by government officials.

According to The Guardian, signatories say conditions in the West Bank have deteriorated further since then, particularly amid broader regional tensions, intensifying calls for immediate intervention.