Why the EU needs to rein in Israel’s settlement policy | +972 Magazine
An Israeli academic makes the case for Europe to contain
Israel’s settlement policy with greater determination and more concrete
measures.
By Nurit Peled-Elhanan
Times are very tough for both Israeli and Palestinian families. The
death toll in Gaza currently stands at more than 1,000, the majority of
whom are civilians. The death toll in Israel stands at 43, three of whom
are civilians. Three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and murdered in the West Bank. A Palestinian youth from Jerusalem was burned alive by Jewish extremists. Dangerous and violent racism
against Arab-Israeli citizens encouraged by Israeli ministers and
parliament members has led to street riots, bred aggression and severe
discrimination against Palestinians, along with a new aggression against peace activists.
Israel is currently suffering from an unprecedented social and
economic crisis. The single source for this crisis is Israel’s
destructive occupation. The occupation has raised two generations of
Palestinians as prisoners, jailed between military checkpoints and
walls. The two generations of Israelis who believe that they are the
lords of the land are nurtured by the illusion that the oppression of
4.5 million Palestinians gives them security and peace, and that such an
oppressive society is capable of raising compassionate children.
Therefore, they are shocked when their boys become ruthless killers, as
is revealed by current events.
Israel
right-wing protesters attack left-wing activists after they protested
in central Tel Aviv against the Israeli attack on Gaza, July 12, 2014.
(Photo by Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
