Human Rights Groups Condemn Surge In Demolitions Home Evictions And Land Seizures

Israeli Settler Violence in West Bank Causing ‘Largest Forced Transfer’ of Palestinians Since 1967

Human Rights Groups Condemn Surge in Demolitions, Home Evictions, and Land Seizures

Read our expert guest post below or read the full report here.

An alarming surge in Israeli settler violence and demolitions in the occupied West Bank is forcing hundreds of Palestinian families from their homes, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.

The report, released on January 12, 2023, documents a dramatic increase in settler attacks, home demolitions, and land seizures in the West Bank over the past year. This has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of Palestinian families and the creation of a climate of fear and intimidation.

“The Israeli authorities have a legal obligation to protect the Palestinian population under occupation,” said Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch. “Instead, they are turning a blind eye to settler violence and displacement, which are war crimes.”

• According to the report, there were 854 settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank in 2022, a 63% increase from the previous year.
• These attacks included physical assaults, property damage, and arson.
• The Israeli authorities have demolished 947 Palestinian homes and structures in the West Bank in 2022, a 40% increase from the previous year.
• This has resulted in the displacement of over 1,200 Palestinians.
• The Israeli authorities have also seized over 1,000 acres of Palestinian land in the West Bank in 2022, a 20% increase from the previous year.
• This land has been used to build illegal Israeli settlements.

The report concludes that the Israeli authorities’ failure to protect Palestinians from settler violence and displacement is a violation of international law.

“The international community must condemn the Israeli authorities’ failure to protect Palestinians from settler violence and displacement,” said Shakir. “They must also pressure Israel to end its occupation of the West Bank and dismantle its illegal settlements.”