Illegal settlements

[immigrant002]

I just watched a piece on itv and sky news how Palestinians are abandoning their houses in the west bank as they face severe intimidation by settlers and army forces

The reporter says the settlements are illegal they are universally accepted as illegal so my question is why is nobody doing anything ??
What is the purpose of international law and the UN ? Is it just Israel that gets away with is ?

I just don't see what the point of saying something is illegal but continuing to build more and more settlements for people from
US kicking Palestinians out of their homes ? Why are they getting away with this ?

Exactly!

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.

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.

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

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.

More settlement expansion approved

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

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.

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".

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

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

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

A whole Palestinian village destroyed.

"They want the land but without Palestinians"

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."

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.

@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

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.

"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."

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.

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

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

Here is a good piece about why America's words are meaningless:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/15/biden-extremist-jewish-settlers-travel-ban-loophole

If they're American citizens, the US border force can't stop them entering.

American citizens have been at the forefront of the rise of settler violence in the occupied territories, and the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their land, but as US passport holders they cannot be barred from their own country. Many of the estimated 60,000 Americans living in the West Bank outside of occupied East Jerusalem moved to settlements for the lifestyle and have little to do with the Palestinians on whose land they live.

Americans account for only about 15% of the total settler population in the West Bank and East Jerusalem but their influence outweighs their numbers.

Hirschhorn estimates that another 100,000 American settlers live in occupied East Jerusalem and the settlement blocs immediately around the city. They have been instrumental in the takeover of Arab homes through well-funded settler organisations.

@Thereissomelight there has now been a joint statement from all the above regarding settler violence and illegal settlements

The US are holding up a sale of over 20,000 assault rifles to Israel which Israel says it needs for the police force. But the US are concerned the rifles will end up in the hands of settlers. They want reassurance from the government this will not be the case.
I think I know what the answer will be.

Everytime I hear about illegal settlers the same video always comes to mind. A zionist illegal settler called Jacob who took a Palestinians house.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeLWPPL7/

Yes I saw this
I can see why they would be concerned with the increase in settler violence
I think it was another one of Ben Gvir's policies so no suprise there