Presidents Shocked by Settler Violence, Again
AP reports Israeli President Isaac Herzog calls West Bank settler attacks 'shocking and serious,' demanding an end. A bold moral stance, considering his predecessors have issued similar pleas for decades. In 2014, Netanyahu himself called for action against 'extremists'; in 2009, then-PM Olmert stated 'no one will be above the law.' Yet, UN data shows settler violence has surged, reaching record
levels last year alone. The 'handful of perpetrators' grows, despite repeated 'warnings.' This isn't a new phenomenon, but a foundational pillar of the occupation. How many times can a government be 'shocked' by the predictable outcome of its own policies and funding for settlements, before the surprise act wears thin? Critics might suggest the real shock would be a genuine, sustained effort to
dismantle the illegal settlement apparatus, rather than merely condemning its inevitable byproducts.