After decades consolidating their control over Area C, Israeli settlers are expanding into Areas B and A — nominally under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction — and displacing communities, a joint investigation reveals.
As settlers set homes ablaze and looted livestock across three villages for over five hours, Israeli soldiers blocked ambulances, arrested victims, and even took part in beatings. This is how it unfolded.
The United Nations reported that this October — peak olive harvest season in the West Bank — saw the highest number of settler attacks in the area since it began documenting them in 2006. Over 260 attacks were recorded, an average of eight per day.
There's no way, and there won't be one, to justify or defend what Israel is doing in the West Bank. Under the cover of the war, with the full backing of the IDF.-.They are driving out Palestinian residents and seizing more and more of their land.
"If President Trump will not even put America first when Israel murders American citizens, then this is truly an Israel First administration," said one U.S. group.
Until last month, the internationally supported community of Umm al-Kheir widely avoided destruction. Since October 7, a new precedent has emerged of the U.S. government sanctioning violent settlers. More pressure is needed.
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"While the attention of the world is focused on Gaza, abuses in the West Bank, fueled by decades of impunity and complacency among Israel's allies, are soaring."
Michael Barnett, Nathan Brown, Marc Lynch, and Shibley Telhami
Foreign Affairs
Benjamin Netanyahu’s return to power with a narrow, extreme right-wing coalition has shattered even the illusion of a two-state solution. His government has not been shy: a Greater Israel in which law enshrines Jewish supremacy over all Palestinians
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