Israeli Settler Violence is ‘Clear State Terrorism’

The surge in settler violence against Palestinians has sparked widespread condemnation from international leaders and human rights organizations. However, this latest eruption of violence is merely a symptom of a deeply ingrained problem that has been festering for decades.

To understand the full extent of the crisis, it’s essential to examine the historical and systemic context that has led to the normalization of settler violence in Israel. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict dates back to the early 20th century, with the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, known as the Nakba or “catastrophe” in Arabic.

This event created a deep-seated sense of trauma and displacement among Palestinians, which has been exacerbated by decades of occupation and settler violence. The Israeli government’s settlement policies have been a key driver of this violence, with systematic expansion of settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip since the 1967 Six-Day War.

This has led to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians, who are forced to live under military occupation with limited access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and sanitation. The settler movement is a powerful force within Israeli politics, with many politicians and government officials openly backing their activities.

The government’s failure to rein in settler violence has created an environment where extremist groups can flourish, resulting in disastrous consequences for Palestinian civilians who are often caught in the crossfire between settlers and soldiers. Recent incidents of settler violence have been staggering, with over 200 attacks carried out against Palestinians in 2020 alone.

According to a report by B’Tselem, a leading Israeli human rights organization, “settlers committed 97% of all violent acts against Palestinians” between 2019 and 2021. One particularly egregious incident occurred in January 2022 when settlers from the illegal outpost of Homesh attacked Palestinian farmers in the village of Burin.

The attack left several villagers injured and caused extensive damage to their property. International organizations have been vocal in condemning settler violence, with the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, stating that “attacks on civilians by settlers are a stark reminder of the need for an end to settlement expansion.”

The international community has been critical of Israel’s response to settler violence. The European Union, the United States, and several other countries have called on the Israeli government to take concrete steps to address the issue. However, these calls for action have been largely ignored by the Israeli government.

Instead, it has sought to deflect blame onto Palestinian militants and critics of its policies. This response is in line with the government’s long-standing strategy of demonizing opponents and silencing critics through intimidation and coercion. The Israeli government’s response to settler violence has been woefully inadequate, with officials paying lip service to condemning the violence while failing to take concrete steps to address its root causes.

In fact, the government has often been accused of actively enabling or even participating in settler violence. A 2018 report by the Israeli organization Yesh Din found that “soldiers and settlers collaborated in over 80% of all violent acts against Palestinians.” The government’s failure to rein in settler violence is not surprising given its ideological commitment to maintaining control over occupied territory.

As the Israeli human rights group HaMoked has noted, “the Israeli government’s policies are designed to ensure that Israel remains a Jewish state, even if it means sacrificing Palestinian rights and dignity.” The victims of settler violence often face overwhelming challenges in their daily lives.

For example, Ahmed, a Palestinian farmer from Burin who was attacked by settlers in 2020, has lost count of how many times his village has been targeted. He told a reporter from B’Tselem that “the settlers think they’re above the law, but we know the truth – that they’re just trying to drive us out.”

Efforts to address settler violence have been piecemeal and ineffective. Community outreach programs aimed at promoting coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians have had limited success. However, some initiatives show promise.

The Israeli organization Combatants for Peace has established a network of Palestinian and Israeli activists working together to promote nonviolent resistance against the occupation. This grassroots movement is built on the principles of equality, justice, and human rights, and seeks to challenge both Israeli and Palestinian narratives that perpetuate violence.

For meaningful change to occur, it’s essential that the international community continues to put pressure on Israel to address settler violence. The Israeli government must be held accountable for its actions, including by implementing policies that prioritize Palestinian rights and dignity.

Ultimately, an end to settler violence requires a fundamental transformation of Israel’s occupation policies. It demands that both Israelis and Palestinians work towards creating a shared vision of peace and coexistence based on mutual respect, equality, and justice.