By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Over the past two days, Jewish extremists have launched multiple attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters in the West Bank. The attacks included a brutal assault in Turmus Ayya where a woman was clubbed on the head and severely injured, along with the burning of vehicles. Further attacks were reported in Taybeh, where harvesters were assaulted and their equipment stolen, disrupting the harvest season. These incidents, often attributed to settlers, have resulted in injuries, property damage, and restricted access to land, hindering the annual olive harvest. Despite the severity of these attacks, prosecutions and convictions against Jewish extremists remain rare, according to the article.
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Jewish extremists brutally assault Palestinian olive harvesters in the West Bank – this disturbing reality has, unfortunately, become a recurring theme. The attacks are not isolated incidents; they represent a pattern of violence and intimidation, often targeting Palestinian farmers during their harvest season. These acts are clearly designed to inflict pain and disrupt their lives, compounding the existing challenges they face.
For years, these extremist individuals have targeted olive trees, a vital part of Palestinian livelihoods and culture. Destroying olive trees is a particularly cruel act, given the trees’ long lifespan, with some needing three to ten years to recover. This destruction cripples families who depend on the olive harvest for their survival.
The Hebrew term for West Bank settlers, “mitnakhlim,” meaning “intruders” or “squatters,” is quite telling. The use of this term, as opposed to the English term “settler,” hints at the negative perception some Israelis have of the extremist actions. The actions of these individuals don’t represent the broader Jewish community. Most Jewish people are disgusted and disappointed by these people’s actions.
The actions of these extremists are causing a stain on the community. It’s an embarrassment. This type of violence deserves condemnation. As an Israeli, it is hard to comprehend how people can just go and beat an old woman. The next Israeli government, particularly if it shifts away from religious extremism, needs to act decisively to stop these acts.
The IDF, in a response statement, acknowledged the incident and said that they are working to allow the olive harvest to take place properly and safely for all residents. They condemn violence of any kind. They have also been reported to just “disperse the disturbance,” which is interpreted by some as protecting the attackers.
It’s been a long history of this conflict. This has been going on for years, even decades. Some first learned about the Israeli “settlers” in the mid 90’s. Some view these extremists as the Israeli version of MAGA, driven by a similar zealotry and sense of entitlement.
The lack of accountability and the perceived support for these actions by certain political figures and administrations are deeply concerning. The complicity of some is just as bad as the acts themselves. The perpetrators often cover their faces, acknowledging that their actions are acts of terrorism. This terrorism is a stain on the world, a mark of purposeful cruelty and destruction.
This situation reveals deeper issues of land ownership, displacement, and ethnic cleansing. The attempts to take over land, evict Palestinians, and replace them with migrants underscore a broader agenda of demographic manipulation. This ongoing process of land theft and forced displacement has been taking place for too long.
One can’t help but ask, if the roles were reversed, would the world view the situation differently? If Romans conquered and occupied the Arabian peninsula, would the Arabs be considered invaders or natives? This makes it difficult to have sympathy with the history of the Jewish people given the way they handle themselves now.
The hope for change remains. It’s reasonable to hope that the legal system in Israel will hold the wrongdoers accountable. However, the current situation leaves a feeling of sadness and exhaustion. This behavior is similar to the same evil mentality present in the Hamas terrorists of October 7th. Hopefully, the current polling suggests support for this horrible behavior is decreasing amongst the Israeli electorate.