Violence by settlers

Settler violence: Lack of accountability

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Settler violence: Lack of accountability

As the occupying force, Israel must protect the Palestinians in the West Bank. However, the Israeli authorities neglect to fulfill this responsibility and do not do enough to prevent Israeli civilians from attacking Palestinians, their property and their lands. The undeclared policy of the Israeli authorities in response to these attacks is lenient and conciliatory. Perpetrators are rarely tried, and many cases are not investigated at all or are closed with no operative conclusions.

Background on violence by settlers

Featured update

8 Jun 2017

Settlers attack Huwarah homes, wounding three, including 68-yr-old woman tending sheep near home

Badi'a 'Odeh, 68, in hospital after being attacked by settlers. Photo by Salma a-Deb'i, B'Tselem, 22 April '17

On 22 April ‘17, settlers from Yitzhar and its outposts threw stones at cars and homes in the village of ‘Urif. Later that day, settlers attacked people and homes in the town of Huwarah. Security personnel who arrived at the scene made no arrests and allowed the attackers to simply walk away. Experience shows the police will likely not take any follow-up measures and the violence will continue. These attacks are allowed to continue as they are a privatized use of force, serving Israel’s agenda of taking over more land in the West Bank.

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Border Police detain Palestinian photographer, allow settlers to harass him, 2017

On 12 March 2017, during the Jewish holiday of Purim (traditionally celebrated by dressing up), A B’Tselem volunteer filmed a Hebron resident who, while documenting the detention of a Palestinian youth at a checkpoint, was detained himself. He was then harassed by settlers while Israeli Border Police stand stood by and did nothing. The Israeli officers’ conduct is part of a longstanding policy of appropriating Palestinian urban areas in Hebron for the benefit of settlers. Israel thereby promotes the ongoing silent displacement of Palestinians from the center of Hebron.

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