The occupation of the West Bank by Israeli settlers has led to the displacement and violence against Palestinian communities, including the village of Mu’arrajat. Aliya Milhat, a Palestinian journalist, was forced to flee her home along with her family after gun threats from Israeli settlers.
Residents attempted to return to Mu’arrajat last week after the High Court ruled that the military must facilitate their return. However, they were met with violence by Israeli settlers who set fire to one of the remaining homes. The expulsion was the culmination of years of violence by Israeli settlers and the military, making life in Mu’arrajat nearly impossible for its residents.
International activists have faced similar violence while trying to document settler attacks on Palestinians. Andrey X, an Israeli journalist, published a video showing an activist’s car set on fire by Israeli settlers. The situation has grown more dire since the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen by Israeli settler Yinon Levi in July.
Israel’s intentions seem clear: to force Palestinians to flee and demolish villages deemed “built in an Israeli firing zone.” The Israeli Civil Administration plans to demolish 12 villages in Masafer Yatta, citing this reason. As Andrey X said, “The situation is bad, and it has been getting worse, and it will continue to get worse.”
As the situation worsens, Palestinians face increasingly restricted freedoms, including press freedom. The occupation continues to escalate violence against Palestinian communities, making it essential for international attention and action to be taken.
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Source: https://truthout.org/articles/palestinians-displaced-in-west-bank-by-israeli-settlers-ask-where-can-we-go