Surge in Israeli settler violence shakes West Bank

Abdullah Awad and his family have faced years of violence from Israeli settlers, but the recent attack on his farm near Turmus Ayya in the occupied West Bank was particularly brutal. The attackers, armed with axelike sticks with nails attached, intended to cause serious harm or even kill the family. Awad described how about 15 masked men smashed his house’s windows, doors, solar panels, and water tanks, leaving his children screaming in terror.

“This was not the first assault, and it won’t be the last… but since the start of the war in Gaza, they have become more violent. The situation has changed,” Awad said.

The assault on Awad’s home, near the settlement of Shilo, was part of a wave of settler violence that has swept through the West Bank in recent weeks. The number of attacks on Palestinians and their property has reached levels unseen in almost 20 years. Many of the attacks have targeted farmers trying to harvest their olive trees, which are a vital part of the Palestinian economy.

In the past two weeks alone, settlers have carried out dozens of attacks, including torching a mosque in Deir Istiya, setting fire to homes and cars in a village near Bethlehem, and rampaging through an industrial estate near Beit Lid.

Ibrahim Dalalsha, director of the Horizon Center for Political Studies in Ramallah, stated, “The settlers are totally emboldened, and the attacks are spreading, in the north, centre and south [of the West Bank]. But the attacks are also inside Palestinian communities. This time they are really going deep inside.”

Settler violence tends to increase during the olive harvest season, as Palestinian farmers venture into remote areas where both their olive groves and illegal settler outposts are located. This year, however, has been exceptional. According to the UN’s OCHA, in October alone, settlers carried out over 260 assaults on Palestinians resulting in casualties, property damage, or both – the highest number in any month since 2006.

As the violence escalates and draws international criticism, senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Avi Bluth, the head of the military in the West Bank, have condemned the settlers’ actions. The army even dismantled a settler outpost that was illegal under Israeli law.

However, activists and Palestinian officials argue that violent settlers enjoy near-total impunity, which has contributed to the escalating violence. Even before the war in Gaza, settlers rarely faced legal consequences for attacking Palestinians. According to Israeli rights group Yesh Din, 94% of investigations into settler attacks in the 18 years before the war were closed without anyone being indicted.

Since the war began, Palestinian officials say the situation has worsened, with the military rarely intervening to protect Palestinians and, in some cases, even supporting settlers. The dramatic expansion of settlements and their outposts, both of which are illegal under international law, has driven 44 Palestinian communities off their land since the start of the war, according to Israeli rights group B’Tselem.

Yair Dvir from B’Tselem stated, “When you look at what is happening, there is an order to the attacks… It’s not just individuals and settlers. They are backed by the Israeli system.” The situation remains dire for Palestinians living under the threat of settler violence, with little hope of justice or protection from the authorities. The forced displacement of Palestinians and the encroachment of settlers into their lands is a pressing issue in the West Bank, with Sinjil being one of the towns heavily impacted. Sinjil, a small town with a population of around 5,000 located north-east of Ramallah, has been facing increased violence and attacks from settlers ever since a new outpost was established nearby earlier this year.

Moataz Tawafsha, the mayor of Sinjil, highlighted the relentless attacks that the town faces on a daily basis. Settlers steal tractors, vandalize property belonging to farmers, and obstruct access to farmland, causing significant disruption and financial loss to the community. The situation has escalated to the point where there is no respite from the attacks, leaving the residents of Sinjil living in fear and uncertainty.

Similarly, in the valley outside Turmus Ayya, settlers have set up yet another outpost, further encroaching on Palestinian land and livelihoods. The presence of settlers and the restrictions imposed by the Israeli military have deprived locals of access to hundreds of hectares of land, including thousands of olive trees. The economic impact of this loss is profound, with farmers losing millions of shekels due to the restrictions imposed by the settlers.

Lafi Adeeb Shalabi, the mayor of Turmus Ayya, emphasized the historical significance of the land being targeted by the settlers. He noted that the land has been passed down through generations and holds deep cultural and familial ties for the Palestinian community. The settlers’ attempts to erase this history and lay claim to the land are not only unjust but also a deliberate attempt to displace Palestinians from their ancestral lands.

The actions of the settlers in the West Bank are part of a larger strategy to forcibly displace Palestinians and consolidate Israeli control over the occupied territories. By targeting vulnerable communities like Sinjil and Turmus Ayya, the settlers are not only causing harm and destruction but also erasing the Palestinian identity and history from the land. It is imperative for the international community to take a stand against these injustices and support the rights of Palestinians to live in peace and security on their own lands. The world is facing a crisis like never before. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the global economy to a standstill, millions of people are out of work, and healthcare systems are overwhelmed. In these trying times, it is important for all of us to come together and support each other in any way we can.

One industry that has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic is the travel and tourism industry. With travel restrictions in place and people staying home to prevent the spread of the virus, airlines, hotels, and tour operators are all struggling to stay afloat. Many businesses have been forced to close their doors, leaving thousands of people without jobs.

But even in the midst of this crisis, there are glimmers of hope. Many companies in the travel industry have stepped up to help those in need. Airlines have been offering free flights to healthcare workers, hotels have been providing rooms for frontline workers, and tour operators have been donating supplies to hospitals. These acts of generosity show that even in tough times, people are willing to help each other out.

In addition to these acts of kindness, there are also practical ways that we can support the travel industry during this time. One way is to book future travel plans now. Many airlines and hotels are offering flexible booking policies, so you can plan your next vacation with peace of mind. By booking now, you are helping these businesses stay afloat during these difficult times.

Another way to support the travel industry is to buy gift cards from your favorite airlines, hotels, or tour operators. This provides them with much-needed cash flow now, and you can use the gift cards later when it is safe to travel again. It’s a win-win situation for both parties.

Finally, we can also support local businesses in our own communities. Many small businesses that rely on tourism are struggling right now, so by shopping local and ordering takeout from restaurants, we can help them stay in business.

In conclusion, the travel industry is facing unprecedented challenges right now, but there are ways that we can support them during this time. Whether it’s through acts of kindness, booking future travel plans, or supporting local businesses, we can all do our part to help the industry bounce back from this crisis. Together, we can overcome this challenge and come out stronger on the other side.