Several human rights and civil society movements and organizations in Israel, called on Monday the international community to act urgently to stop the state-backed wave of settler violence which has led, and is leading to, the forcible transfer of Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.
“For the past three weeks, since Hamas’s atrocities of October 7th, settlers have been exploiting the lack of public attention to the West Bank, as well as the general atmosphere of rage against Palestinians, to escalate their campaign of violent attacks in an attempt to forcibly transfer Palestinian communities. During this period, no fewer than thirteen herding communities have been displaced. Many more are in danger of being forced to flee in the coming days if immediate action is not taken.
Bilal Muhammed Saleh from the village of As-Sawiya who was murdered on Saturday by a settler while tending to his olive trees, October 28, 2023 (Photo: B’Tselem)
“Palestinian farmers are particularly vulnerable at this time, during the annual olive harvest season, because if they are unable to pick their olives, they will lose a year’s income. On Saturday, Bilal Muhammed Saleh from the village of As-Sawiya south of Nablus was murdered while tending to his olive trees. He was the seventh Palestinian to have been killed by settlers since the current war began.
“Unfortunately, the Israeli government is supportive of these attacks and does nothing to stop this violence. On the contrary: government ministers and other officials are backing the violence and in many cases the military is present or even participates in the violence, including in incidents where settlers have killed Palestinians. Moreover, since the war has begun there has been a growing number of incidents in which violent settlers have been documented attacking nearby Palestinian communities while wearing military uniform and using government-issued weapons.
“With grave concern and with a clear understanding of the political landscape, we recognize that the only way to stop this forcible transfer in the West Bank is a clear, strong and direct intervention by the international community. Now is the time to act.”
Among the signatories to the declaration: Academia for Equality, Akevot Institute, Amnesty International Israel, Association for Civil Rights in Israel, B’Tselem, Bimkom – Planners for Planning Rights, Breaking the Silence, Combatants for Peace, Emek Shaveh, HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual, Haqel – In Defense of Human Rights, Itach-Maaki – Women Lawyers for Social Justice, Ir Amim, Jordan Valley Activists, Kerem Navot, Machsom Watch, Mothers Against Violence Israel, Other Voice, Parents Against Child Detention, Physicians for Human Rights, Psychoactive, Rabbis for Human Rights, Social Workers for Welfare and Peace, The School for Peace in Wahat al-Salam Neve Shalom, Torat Tzedek, Yesh Din, Zazim – Community Action and Zochrot.
In addition, Peace Now published Monday another statement: “We are currently facing critical and pivotal days for the Israeli society. The lives of all of us are at stake, particularly the lives of Israeli hostages and the thousands of soldiers on the frontlines. 23 Days since Hamas’ horrific terror attack, the Israeli society is still grieving. The brutal and inhumane assault by Hamas on Israeli civilians resulted in the killing of more than 1,400 babies, children, women, and men, and the kidnapping of now 239 people. It has put our entire society in agony and fear.
“The topmost responsibility of the Israeli government right now must be to bring back the hostages. There is nothing more important than this. This terror attack has led to a profound realization in Israel that Hamas, with its political and military wings, cannot be considered a legitimate entity and that the desire to eliminate Hamas’ military and political arms is widely considered justified and valid.
“And yet, it’s widely acknowledged that wars and military operations are a continuation of politics by other means. That is they are tools for achieving political objectives. Hence, even a justified military objective of destroying Hamas military and political arms, responsible for the brutal terror attack, cannot succeed without a well-defined political strategy and clear diplomatic goals… Moreover, an escalation of the current war by expanding, for example, the ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, would come at a high cost, both in terms of human lives (both Israeli and Palestinian), Israel’s economy, maintaining security in other regions, and Israel’s diplomatic relations. More crucially, an escalation carries a real danger to the lives of the hostages and risks the potential for a regional conflict, especially with the threat of a full-scale Hezbollah attack on the northern front.
“Furthermore, in Gaza, the death toll is already reaching in the high thousands, with hundreds of thousands who fled their homes, and the entire population lacking basic humanitarian needs. Even in such hard times for the Israeli society, and even when the military objections to destroying Hamas’ military and political arms are justified, Israel must comply with its obligation to avoid harming innocent civilians. Human rights and international law are not mere recommendations to be applied in times of peace and prosperity but are critical to be maintained at harsh times like now. Any military operation must consider its limits and boundaries set by international humanitarian law.
“Looking inward, the war with Hamas has also highlighted how Israel has neglected its priorities. It underscores the leadership vacuum, exposing the incapacity of the government to effectively manage the situation. Narrow political interests of government members raise question marks whether this government can confront such a situation when the government seems to fail in all its duties. Furthermore, the messianic zeal of dominant government members suggests that they have other, dangerous interests, in mind.
“What’s more, since the outset of this war following Hamas’s cruel barbarities against Israelis, settlers have taken advantage of the reduced attention on the West Bank and the prevailing anti-Palestinian sentiments to intensify their violent campaign aimed at forcibly transferring Palestinian communities. Not only should these actions be condemned across the board, but they also put Israel at risk of opening a new front during this ongoing war… Hence, Israel must change course and establish explicit diplomatic objectives that ensure a substantial shift in Israel’s relations with the Palestinians. The sole political aim under consideration is a two-state solution achieved through negotiations with pragmatic representatives of the Palestinian people.
“Recognizing that both peoples, Israelis and Palestinians, living here have the right to security and self-determination, thus requires setting the goal of a two-state solution, without further settlement expansion in the West Bank and absorbing outposts that take Palestinian land and drain our military, which can ensure real security. We must establish this as our goal and vision and create opportunities and pathways to achieve it… In these times, we need a clear political vision leading to a two-state solution that will ensure long-term security for the State of Israel and for Palestinians. Israel is our homeland. We will not accept any terror attack on us. And as our fellow friends and comrades are in the battlefield, as our families and children are under missiles from Lebanon and Gaza, and as civilians in Gaza are living under daily military attacks, we do not forget the importance of a political vision.”
Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=31254
