Israeli residents gather at the Israeli settler outpost of Evyatar as part of a protest march from Tapuch Junction to Evyatar in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on April 10, 2023. Photo Credit: Reuters
On 10 April, thousands of Israelis, including government ministers, marched towards the empty outpost of Ivyatar in the occupied West Bank to support settlement expansion. Tension rises between Israelis and Palestinians,
Waving Israeli flags and chanting religious slogans and songs, Israelis from across the country marched towards the outpost as a Palestinian counter-protest was held nearby. The Palestinian Red Crescent said 191 Palestinians were injured in retaliatory protests.
Shlomo Goren, 48, a biologist in the central city of Bet Shemesh, said, “I am here to support the demand for the legalization of the Ivyatar outpost, as promised as part of the coalition agreements.”
Right-wing security chief Itamar Ben-Gvir said, “Now they understand why I am pushing for the establishment of the National Guard.”
Israel last week authorized the creation of a national guard sought by Ben-Gvir to focus on Arab unrest, but barred him from directly commanding it after political rivals raised concerns that the force could become a May become a communal “militia”.
A wave of Palestinian attacks against Israelis has already claimed the lives of 19 Israelis and tourists since the beginning of the year.
Hospital officials said Monday that the mother of two Israeli sisters killed last week in a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank has died.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly wrote on Twitter: “Sad news that Leah Dee has also died following the despicable attacks in the West Bank.” “There can be no justification for the murder of Leah and her two daughters, Maiya and Reena.”
The Israeli army is still trying to nab the attacker.
Several policies have been implemented by the new far-right Israeli government that support settlement recognition and expansion.
Last month the Israeli parliament paved the way for Return of Jewish settlers to four settlements in the West Bank by amending the 2005 law which ordered their evacuation, a move condemned by the Palestinian Authority and the European Union.
In February, Israel granted retrospective recognition to eight illegal West Bank outposts, which was also condemned by international organizations.
Since the 1967 war, Israel has established about 140 settlements on land that Palestinians see as the core of a future state. In addition to authorized settlement, groups of settlers have built hundreds of outposts without permission from the government.
The Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as their capital – captured by Israel in the 1967 war.
US-sponsored state talks have stalled since 2014, while Jewish settlements have expanded, with Palestinians saying the development has undermined prospects of establishing a viable state.