Since October 7, 2023, the eyes of the world have been focused on Gaza, as genocide is being carried out and daily broadcasted. Yet, the West Bank has also been experiencing dramatic events that must be recognized.
In particular, Israeli settlers have utilized the situation to escalate their attacks on Palestinian communities and implement their program. They are benefiting not only from diverted attention, but also from the anger and the desire for revenge within Israeli society and the loosening of restrictions by Israeli authorities unleashed in the aftermath of Oct. 7. They have also noted the international tolerance of certain tactics and methods of operation in Gaza and now urge similar tactics in the West Bank, even though there is no organized Hamas military confrontation in the West Bank. There are no forces to be neutralized, no tunnels to be destroyed, no hostages to be rescued, and no justifications (however spurious they may have been) for any of the bloody tactics deployed in Gaza.
To the contrary, the ferocity of the genocidal attacks in Gaza has led most Palestinians in the West Bank to lay low and refrain from almost any form of resistance, in order not to give Israel any excuse to turn its wrath upon them. ….more
