Spike in aggression in Westbank
By George Swarei
West Bank, July 8, 2024 — Recent days have seen an alarming increase in violence by Israeli settlers and occupation forces against Palestinians across the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem. This spike in aggression underscores the urgent call to dismantle illegal settlements, end Israel’s occupation of Palestine, and dismantle its system of apartheid, according to local officials and human rights advocates.
Palestinians report a surge in assaults, theft of belongings and livestock, death threats, and destruction of homes and schools by settlers, who are reportedly emboldened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. These attacks are occurring amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, described by some as a “genocide war.”
Israeli settlers have escalated their harassment and violence against Palestinian rural communities since the conflict in Gaza began, often with the backing of the Israeli military. Witnesses claim Israeli soldiers frequently guard these attacks, preventing Palestinians from defending themselves, and sometimes directly participate in the violence.
Ambassador Tamer Almassri
“Establishing Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories flagrantly violates international law and constitutes a war crime,” said Tamer Almassri, an ambassador calling for global recognition and action. “Violence is integral to the establishment and expansion of these settlements and to sustaining apartheid. It’s time for the world to recognize this and pressure Israeli authorities to abide by international law by immediately halting settlement expansion and removing all existing settlements.”
Critics argue that Israel’s policies of settlement expansion, settler terrorism, and ethnic cleansing aim to negate Palestinian claims to a national homeland. These actions are perceived as part of a strategy to support settler violence and further the expropriation of Palestinian land, ultimately aiming for full annexation.
International reactions to the violence and alleged war crimes have been strong. In the United Nations, several member states have called for immediate investigations into the actions of Israeli settlers and the military. The European Union has condemned the attacks and urged Israel to respect international law and human rights.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both released statements highlighting the gravity of the situation, urging the international community to impose sanctions on Israel and to provide protection for Palestinian civilians.
In the United States, some members of Congress have voiced their concerns and are pushing for a reevaluation of military aid to Israel. Protests have erupted in various cities, demanding an end to the violence and greater support for Palestinian rights.
Despite the violence and hardship, Palestinian leaders and communities vow to continue their resistance against what they describe as the “last apartheid and occupation state of the 21st century.” They remain committed to achieving an independent state of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.
“The Palestinian people will not raise the white flag,” Almassri asserted. “They will continue to resist using all means necessary permitted by international law.”
As the international community watches closely, the situation remains volatile, with calls for urgent diplomatic intervention and a sustainable resolution to the long-standing conflict.
