Israeli forces and settlers have been carrying out a campaign of terror against the Palestinian population in the West Bank, with the ultimate goal of expelling them and annexing their land. Recent actions by Israel have made its genocidal intentions increasingly clear, as it not only targets civilians, but also destroys critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and water treatment plants. This has rendered Gaza unliveable and forced Palestinians into another Nakba, or catastrophe. However, Israel’s ethnic cleansing efforts extend beyond Gaza to the occupied West Bank, where a more surreptitious plan is underway.
To fully grasp the gravity of Israel’s actions, it is important to understand the historical context. The goal of the Israeli state has always been to transfer the Palestinian population out of historical Palestine, as openly admitted by the forefathers of the Israeli state. While Israel was unable to take over the West Bank and Gaza in 1948 due to international pressure and military limitations, these territories became destinations for Palestinians expelled from other areas. The 1967 war provided Israel with the opportunity to occupy East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, paving the way for annexation plans.
The construction of over 150 illegal Israeli settlements and 120 outposts in the occupied West Bank is part of a larger strategy to push Palestinians off their land and deny them access to resources. Settlers are emboldened to harass, torture, and kill Palestinians, while policies aimed at strangulating the Palestinian economy further exacerbate the situation. Israel’s actions are designed to force the Palestinian population to “voluntarily” leave.
In recent years, Israel has intensified its policies of annexation and expulsion, leading up to the deadly events of October 7. Israeli forces and settlers have killed hundreds of Palestinians, including children, and carried out violent raids and massacres across the West Bank. Settler attacks on Palestinian communities have also increased. The Israeli government has approved record expansions of settlements, further displacing Palestinians and destroying their livelihoods.
These actions have had a devastating impact on the Palestinian economy, with transportation paralyzed, day laborers struggling to earn a living, and food stocks dwindling. The health sector is also in crisis, unable to cope with the rising number of injured people. Palestinians are living in fear and despair, as Israel prepares for annexation and expulsion.
The Palestinian Authority, the only Palestinian actor with access to weapons, has failed to protect its people against Israeli violence. The National Security Forces, trained by the United States and Jordan, are ill-equipped to confront the Israeli army. Furthermore, the PA’s forces have assisted Israel in dismantling armed resistance in the West Bank. As Israel escalates its violence, Palestinian resistance is growing, with youth taking up arms in defiance of occupation and apartheid.
It is crucial for the international community to see through Israeli propaganda and support the Palestinian right to resist colonization and oppression. Israel’s genocidal drive is neither legitimate nor sustainable. The world must speak up and take action to halt Israel’s campaign of terror and support the Palestinian struggle for liberation.
