To wonder how people justify the west Bank settlements

[Pizfufffff]

I am not an expert on the Israel Palestine issue. I did do my dissertation on the legalities of expansion of Israeli settlements under international law years ago so I have some knowledge of the issue. I have always wondered how people justify the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. This is not to cause an issue or start an argument. I'm genuinely really interested in hearing opposing views.

How is it that there are no sanctions against Israel for such violations of international law?

There’s a lot of religious fundamentalism and sadism really, when you see and hear how settlers are harassing and terrorising Palestinians, old and young. They don’t seem mentally sound and I think that kind of violence is not only going to be limited to seizing land… it’s a disturbing thing for Israel too in the long run… something I always worry about is domestic violence which is always tied to other expressions of male violence.
This is an article about the opportunistic violence of the past two months as world focus is on Gaza, it’s unnerving

https://www.972mag.com/hebron-area-settler-violence-expulsions/

I also saw this mini documentary about it by a filmmaker from Tel Aviv, Iris Zaki. She interviews settlers in a more ‘hippy commune’ and she’s got a really cool style, she’s direct and people are very honest in return. I found it so interesting to see the different perspectives.

I think they justify it by saying that the Jews needed a country of their own after the holocaust and that as the Arabs had the whole of the Middle East the Jews could have Palestine

@Pennina I understood what you were saying 💐.

This is really sad. I wasn’t aware.

It is so sad and angering. I was in OEJ this year and was horrified at how many Israeli flags were flying from homes, they have all been taken over. And then these stealing, immoral, heartless settlers then have the cheek to say they need security because Palestinians want to harm them. Yes, I'd want to harm you too if you stole my house!

Why are people who don't support settlements telling others what settlers think and feel? Do you not see the harm that is doing? You are putting words in people's mouths. You are making assumptions. You don't know anything about it but you're making people think you do, and they'll take your words to be the truth. You're spreading hatred.

I am talking about the multiple posters who have made assumptions and then not even attempted to back them up with any kind of interview etc.

I don't support settlements and will therefore not be able to answer the question of why others do.

Why are you giving them the benefit of the doubt? I have watched, read and listened to countless things on this subject and the illegal settlers will never ever convince me that what they are doing is right or justified. How is that spreading hatred? The illegal settlers are doing that themselves by their actions. Many have posted links to interviews to back up their thoughts on the issue

Comments like "The reaction of many seems surreal though, just like a shoulder shrug and well I wouldn’t live in a house that was stolen from someone but you do you!?" - would love to see this backed up for example. Alternatively explained how this doesn't spread further hate.

And also "This is how the Jewish homeland is built apparently 🤔" - again, not spreading hate? Really?

It's their actions that spread the hate. Please enlighten us on a better way to phrase the illegal settlements that you feel is more balanced and "fair" to both sides?

It is not how Israel was built, which is what that poster was saying. Which is what is spreading hate.

I'm not going to defend the illegal settlers because I don't believe they're doing the right thing. I want them all gone. I want them physically removed. I just also don't want people spreading even more hate on here. It doesn't help anyone.

I've read settler views in the guardian and I was struck by the smug complacency of a pregnant woman who had a view that they had biblical rights to the land. I'm religious and I see the attitude (also shown here) as a sign of evil at work in the world. I feel sad for the Jewish people that they can become so corrupt. I think all major religion experiences this corruption and fortunately there is also so much hope and goodness also still at work in the world. Evil will not win.

Watched a ten year old Louis Theroux documentary about "Ultra Zionists" it was a fascinating insight into a certain mindset. The most interesting for me was the overseas organisations, assume American although they didn't elaborate, who fund families occupation, actually against Israeli government rules, but how they are essentially complicit anyway, because they "allow" it.

This is what Daniel, the settler said. Taken from HIS mouth, if you'd taken the time to watch the programme to see what actual settlers are saying. I'm not making any assumptions, I'm only repeating what people have said. And the settlers are 100% spreading and inciting hatred.

And I'll just signpost anyone to Ben Gvir, Daniella Weiss and Zvi Sukkot if you want to hear the views of Israeli government members who are all settlers and campaign for the expansion of settlements in order to prevent Palestinians from being able to have a state.

I have a serious issue with the settlements as do all the Israeli’s i know and my Israeli family. They are an abomination, they’re destructive, many of the people who live on them are direct causes of the problems in the West Bank and I would never ever even visit someone who lived in one and i wouldn’t be friends with anyone who lived in one. I’m firmly of the view that if Israeli’s want to live on the West Bank, they live there as part of a 2 state solution and under Palestinian rules and laws.

Thanks for your input. I met many Israelis who also opposed the settlements but it means nothing unfortunately, the government are determined to expand as much as possible in a bid to take over WB and OEJ. It's state sanctioned violence and murder really. In the programme one family got their makeshift home dismantled (by Israel) so they set fire to all the local trees (that were confiscated from Palestinians). Why are they not in prison? Why are those who have murdered Palestinians not in prison? A Palestinian child can get up to 20 years for throwing a stone! It's apartheid plain and simple.

@Cantbeardarknights that was really interesting to hear your stance on it, thank you for sharing