The past week has demonstrated the dystopian nightmare that is reality in the West Bank.
Palestinians in Qusra were held under siege by a group of settlers, with some small interventions by the IDF. It’s clear that violent settlers are the ones calling the shots. This isn’t just incompetence. Those making decisions are in support of violent settlers, with the lines between uniformed soldiers and armed militias becoming increasingly blurred.
The repeated claims that these settlers represent a small minority may be true – but it’s also irrelevant. This small minority holds power and are in key decision-making positions. The current government supports the settler movement and violent settlers. Their words and actions leave no room for doubt.
Waiting and hoping for a new government in Israel isn’t an option – settler violence is now far too deeply embedded in the system and the international community must respond accordingly.
