Israeli settler violence has been a regular reality in Palestinian villages throughout the West Bank. Renewed acts of violence and intimidation have raised alarm and indignation. Just yesterday, the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV) shared an infuriating update from the ground. A hooded person threw a projectile into the windshield of a moving vehicle. The dash camera on her car captured the events. CJNV subsequently released the footage, exposing this experience of increased violence and aggression towards Palestinians in the area.
The targeted attack shattered their windshield, and photos shared by the victims show glass debris littered the inside of their car. Yuval Abraham, an Israeli observer who’s been monitoring the situation, was unable to watch the attack live. He spoke to his concerns about the escalating violence. In an interview with CNN’s Nic Robertson, Abraham explained how the Israeli settlers are focused on driving him off his land and stealing his farm. Tensions have reached a breaking point following the deadly Hamas incursions into Israel on October 7, 2023.
In another recently documented case, Israeli settlers have continually harassed and threatened Hamdan Ballal. He is one of many Palestinian farmers enduring these daily aggressions. Ballal has been recording his encounters with settlers for some time now. In one particularly vivid example, a settler argued that divine providence had granted him Ballal’s land. Even after Ballal reached out to the police department for help, he said that his pleas for emergency service were ignored.
That would soon change, as Israeli police and military forces massed outside Ballal’s house. They were there as colonists began their onslaught. As per the eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers shot at anyone who tried to get close to Ballal’s house. During the attack, Ballal was severely beaten by settlers and was then arrested by Israeli occupation soldiers. He was injured to the point that he had to go with physicians, and his existing location is not known.
In the midst of these disturbing incidents, Jenna, who witnessed an ‘attack’ on settlers, testified about her experience.
"We tried to retreat to the car, and they hit me with sticks," said Jenna.
Furthermore, Josh Kimelman painted a vivid picture of confronting law enforcement amid the chaos.
"They said everything will be fine and then stood by us and didn’t follow the settlers," stated Kimelman.
Israeli settlers have accelerated the establishment of herding outposts to lay claim to more territory. Since the start of this most recent conflict, this expansion has increased by almost 50%. Coalition partners Peace Now and Kerem Navot released a joint report to CNN. This report illustrates the growing importance of these emerging fault lines in the region.
