The Unprecedented Displacement of Palestinians

More than 1,100 Palestinians have been displaced due to violence committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, according to a report by the United Nations. This displacement process, described by officials as unparalleled in recent years, has had a devastating impact on Palestinian communities.

Escalating Settler-Related Incidents

The United Nations report, issued on Thursday, documents an alarming increase in settler-related incidents in the West Bank. On average, three such incidents occur every day, the highest daily average recorded since 2006. These incidents have resulted in the complete displacement of residents from five Palestinian communities, while six other communities have seen half their residents leave, and another seven have witnessed a quarter of their population fleeing.

The Impact of Israeli Settlement Expansion

Palestinians attribute the surge in violence to the expansion of Israeli settlements under the extreme right government of Benjamin Netanyahu. Lynn Hastings, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Occupied Palestinian Territories, states that settler violence against Palestinians has reached unprecedented levels this year. While humanitarian assistance is crucial, respecting the basic rights of Palestinians is equally important.

Undermining Prospects for an Independent Palestinian State

Experts argue that this trend of settler violence is not only causing immediate harm to affected communities but also altering the map of the West Bank and jeopardizing the prospects for an independent Palestinian state. The Palestinians’ aspiration for statehood includes the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, areas annexed by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War.

Disruption of Livelihoods and Economic Consequences

The affected Palestinian villages heavily rely on pastoralism and agriculture for their livelihoods. The settler incursions have forced communities to sell part of their livestock and borrow money to pay for artificial feed. Over a third of residents have had to change their livelihoods, with some completely giving up grazing. The report highlights that the villages experiencing the greatest population loss are those with the highest number of settlement outposts.

International Community’s Stance and Biden’s Concerns

The international community overwhelmingly views the settlements as illegal and a major obstacle to peace. US President Joe Biden recently expressed concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians during a meeting with Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly. Biden urged Netanyahu to take steps to improve conditions in the West Bank amidst the escalating violence.

Israeli Authorities’ Response and Lack of Accountability

The report accuses Israeli authorities of rarely responding to settler violence and failing to address cases of displacement. Despite filing complaints, only 6% of affected communities reported any follow-up action from Israeli authorities. This lack of accountability further exacerbates the crisis.

Settler Violence Amidst Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The rise in settler violence coincides with the ongoing violent clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in the region. Since the beginning of the year, about 190 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank. This includes both armed fighters and unarmed civilians, including young men participating in protests.