A surge in Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is raising concerns in the international community. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government is expanding its hold on the occupied territory by claiming more land and allegedly providing tacit military support to extremists, according to rights activists.
International Response to Settler Violence
The European Union recently sanctioned five Israeli settlers, two outposts, and an extremist group for “serious and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.” In a similar move, the United States imposed sanctions on Israelis and entities in the West Bank accused of inciting violence against Palestinians or encroaching on Palestinian land.
Israeli Government’s Role
Peace Now, an Israeli organization tracking Jewish settlements, criticized the Israeli government for failing to enforce its own laws and for being complicit in settler violence. The West Bank is home to about 2.7 million Palestinians and over 500,000 settlers. While settlements are considered illegal by the international community, they continue to expand with government support.
Impact on Palestinians
Settlements are viewed by Palestinians as a form of creeping annexation, jeopardizing the possibility of a future independent Palestinian state. The restrictions imposed by the Israeli military, such as road closures and land access limitations, further impede Palestinian livelihoods and advance settler interests.
Security Pretext
Some rights groups argue that the Israeli government, especially amid tensions with Hamas in Gaza, uses security concerns as a pretext to bolster settlers who oppose Palestinian statehood. The military measures, including road closures, ultimately serve to advance the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
