Opinion //
The tragedy of West Bank — that no one is looking at
Settler violence is hitting record highs after most of Israel’s forces are fighting in Gaza. Oh, and the human cost.
Most of our eyes and ears are in Gaza, watching the humanitarian crisis slowly unfolding. 10569 people have been killed in Gaza. 40% of them were children, as reported by Reuters. UN chief Antonio Guterres has publicly decried the atrocities, saying that there is something “clearly wrong” with Israel’s tactics.
Gaza is a tragedy. That thousands of children had to die for a war ruining their world. But for a moment, shall we turn our heads to the west for yet another tragedy?
In the heart of the West Bank, where the sun dips behind hills that have cradled the echoes of millennia, a modern-day tragedy unfurls its sombre narrative. Many Palestinian villages, places where olive trees once whispered stories of generations, standing tall as ancient sentinels to the passage of time have stood the test of time and anchored many villagers to their land. Now, the tranquillity that once graced this idyllic landscape is disrupted by a sinister undertone — a tale of Israeli settler atrocities that echoes through the hills and demands the world’s attention. It is not merely a regional conflict; it is a profound narrative of resilience and suffering, etched into the very soil of this embattled land.
The story begins with the arbitrary demolitions that wrench families from homes steeped in memories that span generations. Envision the agony of the olive trees, uprooted with callous disregard, their roots interwoven with the soul of a people. In many parts, homes transcend their physicality; they are vessels of heritage and identity, yet systematically targeted by settlers. In the folds of these stories lies the human cost — families navigating the rubble of shattered livelihoods, communities grappling with an assault on their very way of life.
And no. That’s not all. The families who lose their homes. And the people who are victims of violence. Beatings, killings… Justice never arrives — and will never arrive — for them, because there is an increasing number of Israeli police and military officers joining the sides of the settlers. They think this as revenge. Against the 1400 Israelis killed by Hamas and the 400 held hostage in Gaza.
Our land, not yours
But it is not.
One crime does not make another right.
The arbitrary demolitions that have torn families from their generational homes. And the destruction of their homes and lands represent more than the destruction of livelihoods — they embody an assault on the cultural and agricultural soul of Palestinian identity.
Many villages expose a systematic campaign of intimidation and destruction. Beyond the physical harm inflicted, settlers target the very fabric of Palestinian society. Homes, vessels of heritage, crumble under the weight of aggression, eroding the cultural identity of the community. It is not just about demolitions and uprooted trees; it’s about the profound human cost that resonates through each act of aggression. In many villages, the scars extend beyond the material wreckage. Families, once sheltered by the embrace of ancestral homes, now navigate the rubble of shattered livelihoods. The agony is palpable, not just in the physical displacement but in the erasure of a way of life.
Settler atrocities are not isolated incidents; they are a calculated campaign that disrupts the very essence of Palestinian life. Yet the uprooting of Palestinians from their ancestral homes and ancient lands is not all — the violence committed against them is more chilling to the heart.
When I get older, I will be stronger
Palestinian civilians find themselves disproportionately targeted by Israeli settlers, thrust into a relentless cycle of violence and terror. This disturbing trend has seen a sharp increase, with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz highlighting a surge in incidents between settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank. The perpetrators often reside in illegal settler outposts, launching attacks on unsuspecting Palestinians from neighbouring villages.
One alarming facet of this violence is the prevalence of price tag attacks — retaliatory actions by settlers against Palestinians, usually triggered by actions taken by the Israeli government, primarily against Palestinian targets. Palestinian police, hampered by restrictions, are forbidden from responding to these acts of violence, eroding their credibility among Palestinians and fostering an environment of impunity, where justice is needed but not served.
Disturbingly, UN figures from 2011 reveal a disheartening reality where 90% of complaints filed against settlers by Palestinians seldom result in indictment. This perpetuates an atmosphere where settler violence goes largely unchecked. Even within the Israeli government, which extremists and settlers now have control over, the problem is no longer a small issue.
The 21st century has witnessed an alarming surge in settler violence against Palestinians, escalating in both frequency and intensity. Reports from the EU heads of mission in 2012 indicated a tripling of settler violence in the three years leading up to 2011. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) figures reveal a nearly quadrupled annual rate of settler attacks between 2006 and 2014. The year 2021 marked yet another wave of settler violence, triggered by the death of a 16-year-old settler engaged in a rock-throwing incident, resulting in a spate of incidents and injuries to Palestinian children.
This unsettling trend has persisted, exacerbated by the election of a far-right government in 2022 and further fuelled by the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The ensuing violence is not just a local issue but a grave violation of human rights, demanding urgent international attention and condemnation.
Tears of their lands, stories of their homes
As the hills of the West Bank bear witness to the stories of anguish, the call for international intervention echoes as an urgent anthem. Hebron, a town marred by settler disruptions and assaults on sacred sites, illustrates the pressing need for decisive global action. The United Nations, endowed with the responsibility to safeguard human rights, must transcend rhetoric and implement tangible measures. Condemnations alone are insufficient; sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and legal actions are imperative to hold Israeli settlers accountable for their actions.
Beyond the realm of governments and international organizations, the responsibility extends to advocacy groups and individuals. The urgency of the situation demands a collective and resolute stance from the global community. Hebron becomes a symbol not just of tragedy but of the call to arms, beckoning nations and individuals alike to stand against the injustice that unfolds in the West Bank. It is a plea for meaningful intervention, rooted in the understanding that the protection of human rights is not just a moral duty but a legal imperative.
In Hebron, the assaults on sacred sites extend beyond physical harm. The deliberate targeting of places of worship, such as the Ibrahimi Mosque, adds a layer of religious significance to the violations. The international community’s response must transcend political considerations and recognize the intrinsic value of preserving cultural and religious heritage. The urgency of intervention lies not only in curbing immediate aggression but in safeguarding the bedrock of identity that defines the Palestinian people.
The call for international intervention is not just a reaction to the present but a commitment to shaping a just and equitable future.
The last stand — hope
In the collective tapestry of global response to settler atrocities, the town of Qusra emerges as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of collective voices against injustice. This town, where farmers faced targeted violence and crop destruction, becomes a symbolic battleground for a united global front.
Protests, whether physical or digital, act as conduits for international attention and solidarity. Instances of activism outside Israeli embassies, viral social media campaigns, and grassroots movements amplify the urgency of the situation. The resonance of these global responses extends beyond condemnation — it becomes a lifeline for those facing the brunt of settler aggression. Qusra epitomises the need for citizens, activists, and leaders worldwide to unite in unequivocal condemnation, signalling a shared commitment to justice in the West Bank.
Governments claiming allegiance to human rights must reassess their relationships with Israel, acknowledging the severity of the violations in Qusra and similar incidents. Nations must align their policies with their professed commitment to human dignity.
When nations act — hope springs.
Qusra, standing at the intersection of global attention, becomes a beacon of hope — a reminder that the world has the power to influence change and stand against the egregious violations occurring in the West Bank.
A world for us all
The urgent need to address human rights violations in the West Bank demands more than condemnation — it requires coordinated international action.
The global response, epitomised by protests and activism, becomes not just a moral obligation but a practical necessity. Governments, advocacy groups, and individuals must unite in a resolute stance, revaluating relationships, and leveraging their influence to curtail settler aggression. The protection of human rights is not a mere aspiration but a legal and ethical duty that transcends borders.
As we champion justice in the West Bank, let us simultaneously strive for lasting peace. The vision for the future involves Israeli and Palestinian communities coexisting harmoniously, free from the spectre of violence and oppression. The time for action is now, and the world must rise to the occasion.
In the echoes of settler atrocities, we find the imperative for a united global response — a response that not only condemns injustice but actively works towards a future where the rights and dignity of all are upheld.
