Increasing attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank

Key Concepts

• Israeli Settler Violence: Organized and violent attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank.
• West Bank Occupation: The Israeli military occupation of the West Bank since the 1967 War.
• International Law: The legal status of Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law.
• Olive Harvest Attacks: Specific instances of settler violence targeting Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest season.
• IDF Complicity/Inaction: Accusations that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are either turning a blind eye to or actively participating in settler attacks.
• Palestinian American Community: The presence of Palestinian Americans in the West Bank and their vulnerability to settler violence.
• Regional Peace Efforts: The potential impact of escalating violence in the West Bank on broader peace initiatives.

Surge in Israeli Settler Violence in the West Bank

A tenuous peace is currently holding in Gaza, but there is significant concern regarding increasing violence in the West Bank. October marked the highest number of Israeli settler attacks since official records began in 2006. These attacks are increasingly characterized by large and violent gangs of Israeli settlers targeting Palestinian farmers, civilians, and residents. The violence includes driving people from their homes, burning businesses, and even desecrating a mosque.

Details of Settler Attacks

• Nature of Attacks: Gangs of violent Israeli settlers are described as "running riot" in the West Bank, spreading terror in Palestinian communities. Brutal assaults have been caught on camera.
• Geographic Context: The West Bank, roughly the size of Delaware, has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 War. It is home to millions of Palestinians and a growing number of Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
• Escalation Post-Ceasefire: Since the ceasefire in Gaza, there has been a surge in violence in the West Bank, primarily committed by extremist settler groups.
• October 2023 Statistics: October 2023 was the most violent month for settler attacks since UN records began in 2006.

Accusations Against the Israeli Government and IDF

• Government Role: Israeli human rights groups, activists, and the opposition are accusing the Israeli government of "stoking the attacks."
• IDF Involvement: The Israeli army (IDF) has been repeatedly accused of "standing by and letting it happen." One perspective suggests that "the settlers now recognize that they run the place."

Case Study: Terasiah Village and the Olive Harvest

The West Bank village of Terasiah is highlighted as a unique location with a majority Palestinian American population, making it a frequent target for settler attacks.

• Incident on October 19th: Independent journalist Jasper Nathaniel, who has been making regular trips to the West Bank since October 7th, 2023, was present in Terasiah. During the olive harvest, settlers advanced on Palestinian farmers. Jasper and other activists were forced to flee.
• Attempted IDF Assistance: Jasper spotted a group of soldiers on a hill and requested protection, stating, "We just need help getting out because the settlers over there are blocking us. This is the only other way. Where are you? Just back to Terasiah." He claims the soldiers agreed to help.
• IDF Departure and Subsequent Attack: Approximately four minutes after the military drove away, a mob of "dozens, if not over a hundred masked settlers" appeared and began throwing large rocks and running towards Jasper and the Palestinian farmers. They were wielding "huge clubs." Jasper described it as an "ambush."
• Attack on Asaf Abu Alia: During the attack, an unarmed woman, 55-year-old Asaf Abu Alia, who was assisting with the harvest, was brutally beaten and suffered a brain injury. Footage shows the settlers attacking her.
• Aftermath and Arrests: The vicious attack drew international criticism. The Israeli police later arrested one suspect, who remains in custody. However, the report notes that hundreds of settlers have participated in violent attacks, with only a handful arrested and even fewer convicted.

Official Responses and Discrepancies

• Israeli Government Stance: Israel states that the attacks are committed by a minority.
• IDF Spokesperson's Statement: When questioned about the IDF's role, a spokesperson acknowledged a "rise in uh those clashes between civilians in uh in recent weeks." They stated that the head of central command and the chief of general staff have addressed this, saying, "this does not go according to our values. This is unacceptable."
• Challenging the Term "Clashes": The spokesperson was challenged on characterizing these incidents as "clashes," with the argument that if a group forces people out, sets fire to property, beats them, and destroys property, it could be described as a "terrorist act." The spokesperson declined to give names but reiterated that "that act is unacceptable."
• Addressing the Terasiah Incident: Regarding Jasper Nathaniel's account of the IDF driving away and not responding promptly, the spokesperson stated, "I saw that video and um I want to say that doesn't represent the values of the IDF. It's not who we are and it's something that will be dealt with and it is being dealt with."
• IDF's Responsibility for Arrests: When asked about the number of settlers charged, imprisoned, or punished, the IDF spokesperson deferred to the Israeli police, stating it's not primarily an IDF matter.
• Israeli Police Response: The Israeli police, when questioned, pushed responsibility back to the army, stating the IDF was responsible for "real-time prevention and handling of violent incidents throughout the region."

Impact on Peace Efforts

The period of devastating violence in the West Bank is seen as a threat to plans for bringing about a broader regional peace.

• Psychological Impact: Residents in these communities feel "almost always encircled by settler outposts," which are strategically built to facilitate attacks.
• Erosion of Hope: Peaceful Palestinians who have lived in the West Bank for generations are not only afraid but also feel their "dream of a homeland slipping away."
• Conclusion: While a tentative ceasefire exists in Gaza, the West Bank is described as "on fire," and hopes for a wider peace deal are now at risk.