Illegal settlements

Right now ofcourse the focus is on Gaza but it is often forgotten the daily persecution that many Palestinians in the occupied west bank face, not only by the settlers but also at times by the heavy handed force used by the IDF against them aswell as often turning a blind eye to the actions of the settlers

The numbers of attacks were shocking to read aswell as over a 1000 Palestinians that were forced to leave their homes because of the violent attacks
I am glad the countries have stated that Israel as the occupying power in the occupied west bank has a duty to protect the Palestinians. I hope that something is now done about this

The above is a joint statement that was given today regarding the settlements and the behaviour of settlers
The statement was signed by the UK, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the European Union.

"Since the start of October, settlers have committed more than 343 violent attacks, killing eight Palestinian civilians, injuring more than 83, and forcing 1,026 Palestinians from their homes.
"We strongly condemn the violent acts committed by extremist settlers, which are terrorising Palestinian communities.
"We reiterate our position that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law and remind Israel of its obligations under international law."
It described the rise in violence as "unacceptable".
"Israel, as the occupying power, must protect the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank," the countries said.
"Those responsible for the violence must be brought to justice.
"Israel's failure to protect Palestinians and prosecute extremist settlers has led to an environment of near complete impunity in which settler violence has reached unprecedented levels.
"This undermines security in the West Bank and the region and threatens prospects for a lasting peace.
"While we welcomed the government of Israel's statement on this issue on 9 November where it conveyed that action would be taken against violent perpetrators, proactive steps must now be taken to ensure the effective and immediate protection of Palestinian communities.
"Words are important, but must now be translated into action."

It’s a start. Cameron has no authority to tell people in another country what to do or not do. But he can make it clear that their actions are unacceptable, and if someone can prove to the UK that a settler has acted criminally there will be a consequence, should they ever decide to visit the UK. Which of course they might not do - but they wouldn’t get in if they did show their mug.

@FOJN I did think of that. It might also be to make a political statement as much as actually banning whoever is convicted even if it is only at a minimum

Is there anymore detail about how that would work. Many of the settlers are never held accountable for their violence so how will we know who is responsible.

Ben Gvir has decided that the settlers need more advanced weaponry than shot guns, clearly that does not bode well for Palestinians. I believe he's also responsible for overseeing policing in the West Bank.

The UK have now also introduced a ban on extremist settlers following on from the US

In the UK, Foreign Secretary David Cameron has announced that "extremist settlers" responsible for violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank will no longer be permitted to come to the UK.

Israel must take stronger action to stop settler violence and hold the perpetrators accountable We are banning those responsible for settler violence from entering the UK to make sure our country cannot be a home for people who commit these intimidating acts."

A whole Palestinian village destroyed.

"They want the land but without Palestinians"

If it wasn’t for social media we’d know none of this.

I just saw this thread on twitter. Nice people these settlers. https://twitter.com/A_Abdelrahman0/status/1732448343639327122?t=zIe3s2W2GY6QNzR3hRuzKQ&s=19

Israel has an extremist Govt and they are a danger for all of us. The UK Govt are hypocrites.

Todays article in The Jordan Times "Qudah said that Israeli practices are considered "war crimes" and violation of Israel commitments as the occupying power and undermine efforts to reach peace based on the two-state solution and UN resolutions. The ministry's spokesperson called on the international community to immediately intervene to "oblige Israel to respect international law and uphold its responsibilities as the occupying power and stop its illegal unilateral measures that undermine any chance of peace".He said that such measures, which coincide with the war on Gaza, will lead to more escalation. "Jordan strongly condemns Israeli decision to erect new settlement in East Jerusalem | Jordan Times

The government are the drivers of settlement expansion. It's a strategic concerted effort to drive out non Jews. Straight out of the mouth of Ben Gvir.

The UN has recorded 308 incidences of settler violence, including numerous deaths, since 7/10. The US are imposing visa sanctions on those who are convicted of offences (ie none). A spokesman for a settler movement on R4 yesterday said its "because America hates Jews... Biden hates Jews".

Just seen, the government really don't care do they

The advancement of this plan underscores the systematic discrimination implicit in Israeli planning and building policy in Jerusalem,” said Ir Amim in the wake of the decision to approve the Lower Aqueduct project.
“Since the beginning of 2023, over 18,500 housing units have been advanced for new or existing Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem, while residential development for Palestinians has been all but neglected,” the organization added.

More settlement expansion approved

www.timesofisrael.com/new-neighborhood-partly-in-east-jerusalem-given-final-approval/amp/

You're right in saying these situations should be dealt with by International law but won't be, but there are very significant differences in the way the countries are treated by the West. In the case of Israel is the US and other Western allies support and bankroll them and we have much more leverage to make a difference here. In contrast for instance we impose sanctions on Iran and Syria.

Israel's MO is to prevent the Palestinians from self determining. There is a prohibition in the Torah that says "show them no favour" (ie non Jews). These zealot settlers want to drive all non Jews out of OPT, and keep the land of Israel for Jews only.

Show them no favour

BBC News - Israeli settler violence brings destruction and fear to West Bank as war rages
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67617920

An article from today.

This constant pressure and oppression is why the conflict has turned so savage.

This is why despite October 7th, progressive opinion is on the side of the Palestinians.

South of Hebron Palestinian farmers are ploughing with the donkey because local Jewish settlers have threatened to steal or break their tractor if they use it.

this really stood out. This is no way for people to live and be treated on a daily basis under such oppression
And the fact of the matter is the Israeli government not only allow it but turn a blind eye to the injustice the Palestinians face there.

Exactly!

One example shared from the article

The reality of settler attacks was captured in a video taken by Muntassar Mhilat, a young Palestinian man from a family of Bedouins who live in the Judean desert not far from Jericho.
Their family home was invaded by about 20 violent, armed Jewish men. Muntassar filmed them yelling and pointing weapons.
"He was shooting at my uncle, so I ran down there and confronted him. We were pushing each other and screaming, head-to-head. And I was filming him. Then, around 20 settlers came."
The video shows a settler loading his M-16 assault rifle and pointing it at the family. One of the women there, Umm Omar, carrying a month old baby, thought they were about to die.
"They attacked our house, stole our sheep, threatened my kids with guns and threatened me. Then they hit me and my husband's sister. I thought they were going to slaughter us."
No-one was killed. The settlers accused them, falsely the family said, of stealing their goats. The man who pointed a loaded weapon was wearing a police jacket.
A common complaint is that settlers have been drafted into the security forces as reservists since 7 October and are abusing the power and position that come with the uniform and automatic weapons issued by the state.
The family recognised some of the attackers, as they came from an illegal outpost about a mile away. They know there will be a next time and feel sick with worry.
The harassment of Palestinians is also economic and psychological.
South of Hebron Palestinian farmers are ploughing with the donkey because local Jewish settlers have threatened to steal or break their tractor if they use it.

@immigrant002 the BBC posted this article today
It highlights the impact settler violence has on the Palestinians

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67617920

If you’re not of the settler class and mentality.

This must explain why Netanyahu was trying to remove the independence of the judiciary prior to this conflict.

All those people saying “I stand with Israel”. Would you really like to be living there now?

This article is from 2021 but highlights the power that settlers hold over the military, which then prevents Palestinians from reaching their land and then it is 'grabbed' by settlers and illegal outposts are set up, and a new settlement formed. Settlers receive grants from the government, internal organizations and foreign donors to assist them in this over taking if Palestinian land.

High Court of Justice slams Israel for Allowing Settlers to Reenter Illegal Outposts