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The occupied West Bank is on the verge of a dangerous escalation of violence. Tensions have been rising since Benjamin Netanyahu’s ultranationalist government came into power last December, and they have intensified following a recent Israeli attack in Jenin that resulted in the deaths of seven Palestinians and over 90 injuries. This bloodshed is occurring amidst the government’s aggressive expansion of Israeli settlements in the region, which is further fueling tensions and emboldening settlers. While the US administration has criticized these settlement plans, more needs to be done by western democracies to hold Prime Minister Netanyahu accountable.
The government formed by Netanyahu after the last general election, in which he aligned with religious Zionists, is the most far-right in Israel’s history. This government includes ultranationalist settlers in key positions of power, such as Itamar Ben-Gvir in the national security ministry and Bezalel Smotrich in a ministerial-level post at the defense ministry. These appointments, made as rewards for supporting Netanyahu’s alliance, are dangerous and have strengthened Israeli settlers in the West Bank as they continue to encroach upon Palestinian territory. The government has already advanced plans for 13,000 settlement units this year, compared to 4,427 in 2022. Additionally, it has legalized nine settlements that were previously considered illegal even under Israeli law.
Concerns are mounting that the West Bank is on the brink of a third intifada, or Palestinian uprising. Last year, 151 Palestinians were killed in the territory, the highest death toll since the second intifada ended in 2005. This year, another 114 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, while Palestinians have killed 16 Israelis in the territory. Israeli forces are conducting frequent raids on Palestinian targets in response to attacks by Palestinians last spring. In the recent raid in Jenin, a helicopter gunship was used for the first time since the second intifada.
Even the Israeli military has warned of “nationalist terrorism” committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, acknowledging that it undermines the state of Israel and the legitimacy of its security forces in combating Palestinian terrorism.
The US has expressed opposition to unilateral actions by Israel that accelerate West Bank settlements and hinder the possibility of a two-state solution. However, given the seriousness of the situation, both Washington and European capitals, which generally consider Israeli settlements illegal and support a two-state solution, should take a stricter stance. This could involve threatening to ban imports of goods produced in the settlements and making it clear that Israeli entities in occupied territory will not be treated as part of Israel. In the UK, a Conservative bill intended to prevent local councils from boycotting Israel sends the wrong message.
Taking a firm position against Netanyahu’s extremist government is not only essential for addressing the violence in the West Bank and salvaging the peace process, but it also sends a broader message. While the contexts are different, Palestinians and Muslims in the Middle East are well aware that the West has strongly condemned Russia’s annexation of parts of Ukraine, yet has been relatively silent in response to Israel’s gradual annexation of the West Bank. If the US and Europe want other countries to join them in condemning Moscow, they must avoid appearing hypocritical by failing to condemn unacceptable actions from a traditional ally.
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