Violence is escalating in the West Bank, a disputed territory that has been a flashpoint in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The situation is growing increasingly tense, with Palestinians and Israelis alike facing threats from extremist settlers.
According to Ameneh Mehvar, Middle East senior analyst at ACLED, long-term efforts to revive peace talks are unlikely to succeed due to the increasing power of the settler movement. This has led to concerns that a civil war may be on the horizon.
The West Bank’s history is complex, with both Israel and Palestine claiming ownership over the territory since 1948. The Oslo Accords in the 1990s divided the territory into three zones, but were met with fierce opposition from hard-liners on both sides.
In recent days, Israeli settlers have torched Palestinian villages and clashed with security forces, drawing rare criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Shaul Arieli, a retired IDF colonel, settler violence is driven by two primary factors: military operations against terrorist organizations and attacks against Palestinians to drive communities away for future annexation.
The Human Cost
The scale of death and destruction in the West Bank outweighs that in Gaza, with over 1,000 killed since the war began. The situation is opaque, but reports from local organizations indicate a surge in violence, particularly in Ramallah and Hebron.
Issa Amro, a Palestinian activist, argues that settlers are using terror tactics to incite unrest and push their agenda. Amro blames Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for fueling the violence through their policies and actions.
Influence of Settler Extremism
The Israeli government’s handling of settler extremism has been criticized by experts. Nimrod Novik, a fellow at the Israel Policy Forum, argues that leaders like Ben-Gvir are emboldening extremist settlers, who are now organized and armed.
Novik warns that continued violence could lead to reservists refusing to serve in the West Bank and more violent incidents that cost human lives. He also suggests that the cycle of violence may spread to other areas, such as Gaza, known as the “Gaza-ization” of the West Bank.
As tensions escalate, it remains uncertain what the future holds for the West Bank. However, experts warn that a civil war is possible and that the situation may worsen before it improves.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/israel-palestine-west-bank-settler-violence-2093936