Last week, during a joint address by American leader Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, colleague parliamentarian Ayman Odeh and I displayed a banner urging the recognition of the Palestinian state. We were forcibly removed from the legislative session, revealing the fragile condition of what's frequently portrayed as the "only democratic state in the Middle East". How can leaders talk about regional peace while declining to recognize a population deprived of basic freedoms and entitlements under long-standing military control?
The Situation in the Occupied West Bank
In no place is the hypocrisy more evident than in the controlled West Bank. There, words of peace seem distant and faint, while the frightening sounds of settler violence and terror continue loudly. Over 30 incidents of settler aggression against Palestinians have been recorded since the unveiling of the Trump administration's peace proposal in late September, including attacks, theft of agricultural produce, and burning of cars and property.
Targeted Aggression During Agricultural Period
The increase in settler terrorism is not coincidental. This time marks the start of agricultural harvesting. Beyond a vital economic event, it represents an important communal and cultural moment that shows endurance under occupation. Precisely for these causes, annually settlers attack Palestinians during this crucial time. During the 2024 harvest period, human rights organizations documented 113 separate incidents of violence, intimidation, preventing harvesting, or damage to olive groves and produce by Israeli civilians and military personnel, which occurred on territories belonging to 51 Palestinian communities, towns, and areas.
Israel's security forces seemed to have had a larger role in obstructing the harvesting season
The human rights group also found that "Israel's military seemed to have played a greater role in obstructing the olive harvest". In approximately 70% of instances where entry to farmland was violently prevented, troops, border guards, and settlement security officials were actually present. They either personally prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching and harvesting their own lands, or neglected to prevent settlers who harassed or assaulted them.
Political Support for Colonization
This comes as no surprise, as the head of the colonists' political movement, Bezalel Smotrich, was named as an additional official in the Defense Ministry responsible for the territorial coordination unit. In Umm al-Khair, for instance, a particular military coordination team removed private olive trees of local residents, citing lack of permits, but overlooked violations by an unauthorized adjacent settler outpost. Last week, the local court decided to stop all construction in the encampment, which was built on lands taken by Israel and illegally given to settlers.
Takeover Ambitions and International Response
In the controlled West Bank, settler terrorism is nothing but a instrument used by the government to pursue de-facto annexation. Earlier this month, Smotrich headed a march of many of colonists in support of taking over the West Bank. He was quoted as stating, "We persist to take hold with our presence of the territory with many pioneers, numerous heroes, and countless of colonists who reside in this area of the land ... we must to normalize it and establish it permanently."
The settlers and their backers in the Knesset are clear about their motives and goals. Why, then, do political leaders in the west refrain from substantial sanctions and diplomatic measures? Smotrich was sanctioned by the United Kingdom in June, but the effect of the penalty has been limited. He may not be able to go to the United Kingdom and visit the London's entertainment district, but he still maintains the ministerial power to seize territories in the West Bank. Even in the declaration of penalties, the British government emphasized they apply "in his personal capacity" solely.
International Acknowledgment and Actual Situation
If the UK government acknowledges the reality of settler violence and its serious consequences on Palestinian life, why does it still allow settlement produce to be marketed in stores and outlets in Britain? If Starmer is genuine about acknowledging Palestinian statehood as a sovereign entity, how can he permit the Israeli administration to breach its sovereignty with such violent means? Or was the recognition an empty tactic to shut down dissenting voices in the United Kingdom, a meaningless gesture only to be implemented in the rebranding of some maps?
Pathway to True Peace
A just resolution must honor the basic entitlements of the Palestinian population for self-determination, sovereignty, and freedom from military occupation and blockade. Only when each human being's dignity across the river and sea is honored can we genuinely declare reconciliation has been attained.
True resolution demands an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel: this is the sole formula that has agreement among the international community, the Palestinian national movement, and the Israeli peace camp.
The former US president may have applied pressure on the Israeli leader to halt the violence, but he likely only did so because the strain of his relationship with the isolated government of the Israeli PM had become excessive. The large demonstrations throughout the world for the liberation of Palestine, and the persistent anti-government demonstrations inside the country, are the actual forces behind this pressure.
It is due to this enormous public campaign that a ceasefire has been agreed, the captives freed, and the people of Gaza can enjoy protection from annihilation. After the truce arrangement has been signed, it is vital to continue applying this pressure. The world has turned a blind eye to the atrocities in the strip for too long; it must not repeat the same error in the occupied territories.
