Increased Violence in West Bank Risks Turning it into “a New Gaza,” Warns EU Diplomat
The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has issued a warning about the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, stating that it risks becoming “a new Gaza.” The violence in the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, has intensified alongside the Israel-Hamas war that erupted after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.
Borrell expressed concern that Israel is opening “a new front” with the objective of turning the West Bank into a new Gaza. He accused the Israeli government of delegitimizing the Palestinian Authority and provoking forceful reactions. Borrell also highlighted that Israel has openly stated that the only way to achieve a peaceful settlement is to annex the West Bank and Gaza.
The EU diplomat criticized the “radical members of the Israeli government” for obstructing the creation of a future Palestinian state, a threat that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several cabinet members have emphasized. Some Israeli ministers have even called for increased military operations in the West Bank.
Borrell warned that without intervention, the West Bank could become another Gaza, while settlers’ movements are preparing new settlements in Gaza. He lamented the international community’s difficulty in taking action, despite its condemnation of the situation.
According to Israeli rights group Yesh Din, Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank reached a record high in 2023. Additionally, the European Union reported that last year witnessed the highest number of settlement building permits issued in decades. Currently, around 490,000 Israelis reside in settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law, alongside three million Palestinians.
Since the start of the Gaza war on October 7, at least 662 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israeli officials claim that during the same period, 23 Israelis, including members of the security forces, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the West Bank.
In a separate incident, Israel’s military announced that it was “highly likely” that its forces unintentionally shot and killed a US-Turkish activist during a protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank. Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, was fatally shot in the town of Beita, where weekly demonstrations against Israeli settlements take place.
The situation in the West Bank is deeply concerning, with the risk of it turning into another Gaza. The international community has expressed its disapproval and condemnation, but concrete action has been limited. It is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize dialogue and peaceful negotiations to find a lasting solution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The EU’s warning serves as a reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community must step up its efforts to facilitate meaningful dialogue and work towards a two-state solution that guarantees security and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians. Only through genuine cooperation and a commitment to peace can the cycle of violence be broken and a brighter future for all be achieved.