In West Bank, wave of settler violence creating feel of a war zone
By Fatima AbdulKarim and Taylor Luck
RAMALLAH, WEST BANK; AND AMMAN, JORDAN
After years of scattered pinpoint attacks, Israeli settler violence this week enveloped the West Bank and struck larger communities.
From Nablus to Jericho to Bethlehem to the edge of Ramallah, deadly attacks by far-right settlers hit towns and villages, killing four Palestinians, wounding dozens, and grinding life in the West Bank to a halt.
The wave of violence, which followed the disappearance and death of a 14-year-old Israeli settler, a shepherd, comes as the Palestinian Authority warns it is struggling to keep the peace.
The PA is calling for international intervention to prevent a “collapse” of order and an uncontrollable spiral of violence.
Palestinians say the violence is leaving them feeling abandoned in a war zone, unable to defend themselves and disillusioned with what they say is an ineffective international community. Increasingly, many are convinced they must take matters into their own hands.
“We are exhausted,” says Sarah al-Wadi, whose two-story home in Qusra, outside Nablus, was torched by settlers on Saturday.
“What is left? What else can I do?” she asks, as she attempts to clean up the damage. “We aren’t safe here, but at the same time we can’t stay silent and idle. We are totally alone.”
Systematic increase
The latest violence followed the disappearance last week of the Israeli teen in the West Bank. His body was discovered Saturday. Israeli officials say his death is being investigated as a case of terrorism.
Residents and activists say the ensuing Israeli attacks appeared preplanned.