Ex-Israeli Official Warns of Third Intifada Amid Settler Violence
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Former Israeli official Giora Eiland warned that escalating settler violence in the West Bank could trigger a third intifada. He criticized the Netanyahu government for empowering ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir while failing to stop settler attacks. Eiland called for stronger military and police action against perpetrators and warned of potential international backlash. The warning comes amid a recent surge in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Israeli official Giora Eiland warns of a third intifada due to escalating settler violence.
- Eiland criticizes the Netanyahu government for enabling settler attacks by empowering Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.
- He urges the Israeli army and police to take stronger action against settlers involved in violence.
- The former official warns of potential international repercussions, including boycotts and U.S. arms sale restrictions.
- Settler violence against Palestinians has recently increased in the West Bank.
Giora Eiland, a former Israeli official, has warned that escalating settler violence in the West Bank, coupled with official inaction, could ignite a third intifada. In an article published by the Hebrew website Walla, Eiland criticized the Israeli government for creating conditions that allow settler attacks to persist, specifically by granting significant authority and resources to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud ministers taking serious steps to halt the violence.
Eiland noted that police performance is influenced by Ben-Gvir's directives and cautioned against weakening the Shin Bet security agency units responsible for pursuing attackers. He also pointed out that some army personnel adopt stances supportive of the attacking settlers, influenced by rabbis who encourage such practices. Eiland urged the army leadership to intervene more forcefully by gathering intelligence on perpetrators, training forces to document attacks and collect evidence, detaining suspects for prosecution, and confiscating tools and vehicles used in assaults.
He called on the Israeli Chief of Staff to publicly condemn settler attacks as acts of terrorism. Eiland also advocated for preventing settlers from entering Areas A and B in the West Bank and pushing for administrative detention orders against them. He warned that continued lack of effective action could lead to a third intifada, potentially involving Palestinian Authority police officers and soldiers, and could also have international repercussions, including expanded European boycotts and potential U.S. restrictions on arms sales after the upcoming November midterm elections.
The West Bank has recently seen an increase in settler attacks against Palestinians and their property, coinciding with ongoing Israeli military operations and tightened security measures in Palestinian cities and towns.
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