From May 1 to July 7 of this year, the Israeli human rights association B’Tselem documented 10 cases in which settlers destroyed a total of more than 2,000 olive trees and vines and burned a barley field and bales of hay in the occupied West Bank. Some Palestinian farmers have suffered repeated attacks.

According to B’Tselem: “Despite this upsurge, settler violence is routine and fully backed by Israeli authorities: soldiers take part in some assaults and stand by in others; the police do not seriously investigate or act to prevent or stop attacks. Israel benefits from this gradual dispossession of Palestinians, which paves the way for a state takeover.”