U.N. Demands Israeli Forces Stop Enabling Settler Attacks In West Bank

U.N. Demands Israeli Forces to stop helping Jewish settlers attack Palestinians living in the West Bank. This comes after settlers recently attacked several Palestinian towns. The attacks were triggered by a militant attack that killed a 14-year-old Israeli boy from a settler family.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 7 Palestinians have been killed by either Israeli security forces or armed settlers since the attacks began on Friday. 75 more Palestinians were also injured. Settlers and Israeli forces have also burned hundreds of Palestinian homes, buildings, and cars in the West Bank.

The Obligation of Israel as the Occupying Power – U.N. Demands Israeli Forces

The UN says that as the country controlling the West Bank, Israel must take action to restore order and safety there. This includes protecting Palestinians from settler attacks and stopping Israeli forces from using unlawful force against Palestinians.

The UN also said settlers have set up at least two new illegal settlements this week near Palestinian communities that have been attacked by settlers before. These communities are at risk of being forced out of their homes and land.

The Continuation of Illegal Settlements and Apartheid Accusations

Israel took control of the West Bank in 1967 and has since built many settlements for over half a million Jewish settlers. The international community sees these settlements as illegal and a barrier to lasting peace in the region. Human rights groups also accuse Israel of practising apartheid by forcing Palestinian families out of their homes and allowing security forces to ignore or even participate in violence against them.

The Broader Regional Context and Concerns

The violence in the West Bank is happening as Gaza faces a major humanitarian crisis. An ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza has killed over 33,800 Palestinians in the last 6 months, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. This has caused immense suffering, with many people displaced, starving, sick, detained, and injured.

The UN is urging all countries with influence in the region to do everything they can to stop the crises in Gaza and the West Bank and prevent a wider regional war.

President Biden’s administration has supported Israel’s operation in Gaza but has also spoken out against settler violence in the West Bank. The US has an order that allows it to impose sanctions on individuals and groups linked to West Bank violence. This gives the US government power to stop American charities from sending money to settlers.