Israeli Settler Attacks Forcefully Displace Palestinian Community in Jerusalem

As a result of sustained violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers, the Al-Baqa’a Bedouin community near Jerusalem has been forced to flee its homes. This week, seven Palestinian families comprising 36 individuals, including 20 children, were compelled to abandon their residences. This forced displacement is a grave violation of international law and emphasizes the urgent need for accountability and action to end settler violence.

The dire situation in Al-Baqa’a has been characterized by three weeks of incessant harassment, intimidation, and physical assaults against Palestinian families. Caroline Ort, the country director for Palestine at the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), expressed that the families had no choice but to leave their homes due to the unrelenting aggression they faced. Israeli settlers, bolstered by implicit or explicit support from certain government officials, have been intimidating and attacking Palestinian communities with the explicit objective of displacing them. Such forcible transfer of populations clearly violates international law and must be brought to an immediate halt.

The displacement of the Al-Baqa’a residents is primarily attributed to establishment of a new Israeli settler outpost nearby, which has ignited a wave of fear and hostility in the community. The settlers have resorted to intimidation, harassment, and even arson, as evidenced by burning a residential tent. The Israeli authorities have created a coercive environment, pressuring the residents of Al-Baqa’a to leave their ancestral lands. The expansion of Israeli settlements and restrictive planning and zoning policies have severely curtailed the freedom of movement for Palestinians, impeding their access to vital resources like grazing lands. The constant threat of settler attacks has effectively confined community members to their homes, undermining their ability to move freely and carry out their daily lives.

Caroline Ort, NRC’s country director for Palestine, stressed the importance of third states demanding accountability for settler violence. Mere condemnations and condolences are insufficient; concrete action is needed to end the impunity. Israel must fulfill its obligations under international law to curb settler violence, safeguard Palestinian communities, and prevent further displacement. The international community, including the United Nations and influential nations, must unite to address this pressing issue and work towards a just and peaceful resolution.

In light of the distress faced by the Al-Baqa’a community, the West Bank Protection Consortium, led by the Norwegian Refugee Council, has stepped in to offer support. The consortium comprises five international NGOs, 10 EU donors, Canada, the United Kingdom, and EU Humanitarian Aid. It has provided residential tents, latrines, and other essential supplies to assist displaced families. This assistance aims to alleviate their immediate needs and demonstrate solidarity with those affected by settler violence.

The recent attack on the Al-Baqa’a community is not an isolated incident. Over the past year, Israel has forcibly transferred multiple Palestinian communities, including Al-Baqa’a, to the central West Bank. In May, due to repeated settler attacks and the imminent demolition of their school, 26 Palestinian families, totalling 132 individuals, including 68 children, were compelled to abandon their homes in Ein Samiya. Additionally, coercive measures resulted in the forcible transfer of 134 Palestinians, including 83 children, from Wadi As-Seeq and Ras At-Tin.

These instances demonstrate an alarming trend of settler violence, with the United Nations documenting 591 such attacks in the current year, resulting in casualties and property damage. Disturbingly, the monthly average for the first half of 2023 is 39 percent higher than the average number of incidents recorded in 2022. Tragically, these attacks have claimed the lives of six Palestinians and caused injuries to 204 others, including 24 children, in the first six months of this year alone.

The forced displacement of Palestinian families in the Al-Baqa’a community due to sustained settler violence is a flagrant violation of international law. The international community must act urgently to hold Israel accountable for the actions of its settlers and ensure the protection of Palestinian communities. By demanding an end to settler violence and promoting dialogue and peace-building efforts, we can work towards a just resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals involved. The world must unite to end the cycle of violence and create a future where communities can coexist in harmony and mutual respect.