Israeli military magazine says number of settlers in command positions increasing

JERUSALEM – Israel's military magazine says an increasing number of West Bank settlers hold command positions.

Bamahane weekly reported Thursday that 16 percent of those who attended the latest company and battalion commanders' training course were residents of the West Bank — four times the proportion of settlers in the Israeli population.

A recent graduate of the course quoted in the report said settlers had more motivation to serve given their proximity to Palestinians attacks. But the report also raised questions about how these officers would respond if ordered to evacuate settlements for a future peace deal.

Palestinians claim the West Bank, in addition to east Jerusalem and Gaza, for a future state.