- B'Tselem's been on the story for years. Settler violence
is longstanding, troubling, and largely without accountability.
-
- Since September 2000 alone (the beginning of the second
Intifada), the toll includes 50 Palestinians killed. Since December 1987
(the first Intifada's onset), it's 115, besides many more injured, including
children.
-
- With few exceptions, settlers initiate unprovoked violence.
More recently, those under the "Price Tag" slogan rampage out-of-control.
-
- B'Tselem documented numerous incidents, including blocking
roads, stoning cars and homes, torching fields, uprooting trees and other
crops, as well as other forms of violence and damage.
-
- In response, Israeli security forces do little despite
a High Court ruling that "protecting the security and property of
the local residents is one of the most basic obligations placed upon the
military commander in the field."
-
- Moreover, Justices said Israeli authorities must "give
unequivocal instructions to the forces that are deployed in the field."
They must also "allocate forces to protect the property of the Palestinian
residents."
-
- More on the most recent incidents below.
-
- Israel's Duel Legal System
-
- Civil law governs Israeli citizens. For Palestinians,
it's repressive military law, affording little or no justice.
-
- Under Israel's July 1967 Emergency Regulations (Offenses
in the Occupied Territories - Jurisdiction and Legal Assistance), 5727
- 1967, Israeli citizens charged with Occupied Palestine crimes face civil
trials, if any.
-
- As a result, they enjoy liberties and legal guarantees
not afforded Palestinians, including when charged with similar or identical
offenses.
-
- At all times, fundamental protections differ, including
arrest procedures, interrogations, maximum detention periods before initial
judicial proceedings, due process, maximum punishments, early releases,
and other legal rights.
-
- Under military occupation, nationality and religion are
determinate, not judicial fairness. Equity is denied. So are territoriality
principles under which law and order standards apply uniformly for every
area resident. Not in Occupied Palestine.
-
- For example, Palestinians charged with crimes are judged
guilty by accusation. International law protections don't apply. Human
rights are flagrantly breached. Military courts are unforgiving. Maximum
sentences are common. Secret evidence is used. Defendants have minimal
legal representation. Once charged, exoneration rarely follows.
-
- For Israelis, in contrast, authorities apply an "undeclared
policy of forgiveness, compromise, and leniency in punishment." Moreover,
most violent or other abusive acts against Palestinians are ignored.
-
- In addition, security forces do little to prevent settlers
from harming Palestinians or their property. Inaction amounts to encouragement.
Palestinians aren't protected.
-
- Most incidents aren't investigated. Others are whitewashed.
In rare cases of settler convictions, sentences are extremely lenient in
contrast with harshness against Palestinians.
-
- Knowing the futility of trying, they rarely file complaints.
Moreover, police stations often are in accessible. In addition, authorities
go out of their way not to help.
-
- Background on Israeli Settlements
-
- Fourth Geneva's Article 49 prohibits "(i)ndividual
or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons,
from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that
of any other country (regardless) of motive."
-
- In addition, the 1907 Hague Convention prohibits occupiers
from making permanent changes in occupied areas, except for military necessity
in its narrowest sense or to benefit resident people.
-
- Since June 1967, Israel's 121 settlements and 100 unofficial
outposts contravened international law. In addition, 12 illegally established
neighborhoods became part of greater Jerusalem.
-
- Moreover, authorities funded, aided, and encouraged settler
enclaves in East Jerusalem neighborhoods. They include the Old City's Muslim
Quarter, Silwan, Sheikh Jarrach, Mount of Olives, Ras al-'Amud, Abu Dis,
and Jabal al-Mukabber.
-
- Overall, about 250,000 acres of Palestinian land were
stolen. Systematic ethnic cleansing displaces Palestinians for Jews. Settlements,
outposts and Jews only enclaves violate international law.
-
- So do human rights violations by their presence, including
equity, property rights, free movement, expression and assembly, judicial
fairness, safety, and Palestinians self-determination within 1967 borders
- 22% of historic Palestine.
-
- In contrast, settlers enjoy rights given all Jewish citizens,
as well as special benefits to encourage Israelis to move.
-
- They include reduced land and housing costs, generous
loans and grants, extended school years and daily classroom hours, teacher
incentives, subsidized transportation to school, investor development grants,
lower personal and business taxes, and more.
-
- No wonder over half a million Israelis took advantage,
mindless of how they violate Palestinian rights under fundamental international
law.
-
- Jerusalem: A Case in Point
-
- For Jews, Jerusalem is their historic capital. For Christians,
it's where Jesus preached and healed. Muslims also call it their third
holiest site after Makkah and Medina, Saudi Arabia. It contains the 35
acre Noble Sanctuary (al-Haram al-Sharif), including the Al-Aqsa Mosque
and Dome of the Rock.
-
- In 1947, UN Resolution 181 established Jerusalem as an
international city under a UN Trustee Council, a provision still binding.
Nonetheless, in 1948, Israel occupied West Jerusalem. In 1967, it occupied
East Jerusalem.
-
- In July 1980, it annexed the entire city. In August 1980,
Security Council Resolution 478 followed. It declared Israel's Jerusalem
Law null and void with no legal validity. Israel ignored it like dozens
of other UN resolutions and all international human rights laws.
-
- Since 1967, Israel tried to create a demographic/geographic
reality on the ground to entirely Judaize the city. As a result, Jews systematically
displace Palestinians.
-
- Moreover, Israel physically isolated East Jerusalem from
other West Bank areas, including by its Separation Wall. Other lawless
practices include land expropriation, home demolitions, dispossessions,
denying Palestinians basic rights, and doing whatever it takes to remove
them.
-
- Under international law, East Jerusalem is occupied.
Annexing it was illegal. Palestinians rightfully claim it as their capital.
Israel pays no heed by violating their rights systematically.
-
- December 2011 Settler Violence
-
- On December 3, settlers endangered Palestinian women
in a taxi near Gilad Farm settlement outpost. They threw stones. No one
was hurt. The driver complained to nearby soldiers. No intervention followed.
-
- On December 7, settlers tried to torch a Brukin village
mosque. They also sprayed Hebrew slogans on walls. In addition, cars and
a tractor were set ablaze. Police said they'd investigate. Don't bet on
it.
-
- On December 12, settlers attacked Asira al-Qibliya village
near Nablus. They threw stones and broke windows. They also smashed a cab
window and doused it with petrol. Soldiers were late arriving. Instead
of pursuing settler perpetrators, they assaulted Palestinians outside their
homes with stun grenades.
-
- At 9PM the same day, a Palestinian family car was assaulted.
Its windshield was smashed. A mother inside was overcome. Her infant daughter
received facial scratches. Police said they'd investigate. Expect the usual
way.
-
- On December 14, three northern West Bank communities
were assaulted - Duma, Yasuf and Hares. Motor vehicles were torched. Hebrew
slogans were sprayed on walls. Two trucks and two cars were set ablaze.
-
- The slogan Mizpe Yizhar (outpost)" was sprayed on
a sidewalk. The slogan "Price Tag" was sprayed on a fence and
wall. So far, no indication of follow-up investigations occurred.
-
- On December 15, a Burka village mosque was torched. "War"
and "Mizpe Yizhar" were sprayed on walls. Angry Palestinians
threw stones at late arriving soldiers. They responded with tear gas.
-
- Since 2008, eight mosques have been set ablaze. No prosecutions
followed.
-
- On December 19, Bani Na'im residents found "Price
Tar" and "Yizhar" sprayed on fences encircling a mosque,
as well as a racist prophet Muhammad slogan. No indication of an investigation
followed.
-
- On December 21, settlers assaulted Khirbet Shuweika village.
Residents found damaged olive trees, as well as "Price Tag" and
"Yizhar" sprayed in the area.
-
- Settlers regularly intimidate and assault Palestinians
and their property with impunity. Nearby security forces don't intervene.
Often they commit violence.
-
- Investigations seldom follow. Those done are whitewashed.
Settlers rage with impunity. So do security forces. World leaders turn
a blind eye. As a result, Palestinians are denied protection and justice.
-
- Under occupation, they've gotten none for decades.
-
- Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at
lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
-
- Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and
listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive
Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central
time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy
listening.
-
- http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.
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