‘Killing Palestinians in broad daylight’: Settlers attack villages with ‘full support of military’
Jean-Emile Jammine is pleased to welcome Eid Hathaleen, Palestinian artist, human rights activist and lifelong resident of the Bedouin village of Umm al-Kheir in Masafer Yatta, in the occupied West Bank. He describes for us the systematic normalisation of daily settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Drawing from personal loss and years of field research, he argues that what Palestinians in communities like his are experiencing is not random wanton violence, nor isolated confrontations, but what he describes as an organized structure of extreme intimidation designed to force out its inhabitants. Having lost members of his own family, having himself been interrogated by Israeli authorities, he takes us inside the mechanics of ruthless settler violence and relentless attacks, even targeting the most vulnerable, including children at school. He shares the daunting task of pursuing justice through a legal system he says routinely fails Palestinian communities, and the deeper political objective he believes underpins much of this violence: the forced displacement and expulsion of Palestinians from their land.
The account of Eid Hathaleen losing family members and still fighting for justice is heartbreaking. How can the military claim to support peace while enabling settlers to attack children at school?
It’s clear from this article that the violence in Umm al-Kheir isn’t random—it’s a coordinated campaign to push Palestinians off their land with full military backing. Disgraceful.
I’m skeptical of the claim that settler attacks are always supported by the military. Could it be that some soldiers are overwhelmed or unable to intervene? The article doesn’t explore that.
The Bedouin village of Umm al-Kheir has been a flashpoint for years. Hathaleen’s description of a legal system that fails Palestinians mirrors what many human rights groups have documented.
If the goal is really forced displacement, as Hathaleen argues, then Israel is violating international law. The world needs to pressure the Israeli government to rein in settlers and protect civilians.
Another day, another story of settlers terrorizing Palestinians with impunity. When will the international community stop condemning and start taking real action to hold both settlers and the military accountable?