Settler Violence: Now with Added Footage, Still No Consequences
The news is grim but predictable: Israeli settlers are assaulting Palestinian farmers and their animals in the occupied West Bank. This isn't a new phenomenon; organizations like B'Tselem have documented these acts of violence, often committed with the Israeli military's tacit approval or direct presence, for years. According to UN OCHA, 2023 saw 1,227 settler-related incidents, with over 780
resulting in casualties or property damage. These aren't random acts; they're a deliberate, documented strategy to dispossess Palestinians of their land. While Al Jazeera shows the shocking footage, it doesn't always hammer home the structural violence allowing it. Where are the headlines questioning how the US sends billions in aid to Israel, aid that ultimately subsidizes an occupation fostering
this very violence? No American politician who collects PAC money—like Rep. Steny Hoyer, who received significant funds from AIPAC according to OpenSecrets.org—will 'fiercely condemn' this settler violence with any real action. It appears only certain civilian lives warrant protection, and only certain acts of violence are deemed 'terrorism'.