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Last week, during a combined speech by American leader Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament, colleague lawmaker Ayman Odeh and I displayed a sign urging the recognition of the Palestinian state. We were forcibly removed from the parliamentary assembly, revealing the weak state of what's often described as the "sole democracy in the Middle East". How can leaders speak about Middle East peace while refusing to acknowledge a population denied of fundamental liberties and rights under long-standing military control?

The Situation in the West Bank

Nowhere is the hypocrisy more evident than in the occupied West Bank. There, words of peace seem distant and faint, while the frightening echoes of settler violence and terror continue strongly. Over 30 occurrences of settler aggression against Palestinian civilians have been documented since the unveiling of the Trump administration's peace proposal in late September, featuring physical assaults, stealing of crops, and torching of vehicles and property.

Targeted Violence During Agricultural Period

The rise in violence by colonists is deliberate. This time marks the beginning of agricultural harvesting. Beyond a crucial economic activity, it constitutes an important communal and cultural moment that demonstrates resilience under military rule. Exactly for these reasons, annually settlers target Palestinian farmers during this crucial time. During the 2024 harvest season, human rights organizations documented 113 separate incidents of violence, intimidation, harvest-thwarting, or destruction to olive trees and produce involving settlers and military personnel, which took place on lands owned by 51 Palestinian-owned communities, towns, and communities.

Israel's security forces seemed to have played a greater role in obstructing the olive harvest

Yesh Din also found that "Israeli security forces appeared to have played a greater role in hindering the olive harvest". In about 70% of cases where access to farmland was violently prevented, troops, border police officers, and settlement security officials were physically on site. They either personally prevented Palestinians from reaching and harvesting their property, or neglected to stop colonists who threatened or attacked them.

Political Backing for Colonization

This comes as no surprise, as the leader of the settlers' political party, Bezalel Smotrich, was named as an extra official in the Defense Ministry responsible for the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. In one village, for example, a special COGAT unit removed personally-owned olive trees of local residents, citing lack of permits, but ignored violations by an unauthorized nearby settler outpost. Last week, the local court decided to halt all building work in the outpost, which was built on lands taken by Israel and unlawfully given to colonists.

Takeover Goals and Global Reaction

In the controlled West Bank, settler terrorism is simply a instrument used by the government to pursue de-facto incorporation. Earlier this month, Smotrich led a procession of many of settlers in support of annexation the West Bank. He was quoted as saying, "We are continuing to take hold with our presence of the territory with numerous pioneers, many champions, and hundreds of thousands of settlers who live in this area of the land ... we need to normalise it and establish it permanently."

The settlers and their backers in the parliament are clear about their intentions and intentions. Why, then, do government officials in the Western nations hesitate from substantial sanctions and diplomatic measures? Smotrich was sanctioned by the United Kingdom in June, but the effect of the penalty has been limited. He may not be permitted to travel to the United Kingdom and tour the West End, but he still maintains the governmental authority to seize territories in the West Bank. Even in the announcement of sanctions, the British government highlighted they apply "in his personal capacity" solely.

International Recognition and Reality

If the British administration recognizes the truth of colonist aggression and its grave implications on Palestinian existence, why does it still permit settlement produce to be marketed in markets and outlets in the UK? If Starmer is genuine about recognition of Palestine as a sovereign entity, how come he permit the Israeli administration to violate its independence with such aggressive methods? Or was the recognition an empty ploy to shut down dissenting voices in the UK, a meaningless act only to be realised in the rebranding of some cartographic representations?

Pathway to Genuine Peace

A fair resolution must honor the fundamental entitlements of the Palestinian population for self-determination, independence, and freedom from occupation and siege. Only when every human being's worth between the river and Mediterranean Sea is honored can we genuinely declare peace has been achieved.

True resolution requires an independent Palestinian state alongside the Israeli state: this is the only formula that has consensus among the global community, the Palestinian leadership, and the Israeli peace advocates.

The former US president may have applied pressure on Netanyahu to stop the violence, but he likely only did so because the strain of his connection with the isolated government of the Israeli PM had become too great. The large demonstrations across the world for the liberation of Palestine, and the unwavering anti-government protests within Israel, are the actual factors behind this pressure.

It is thanks to this massive civil movement that a truce has been agreed, the captives freed, and the residents of Gaza can experience safeguard from destruction. After the ceasefire agreement has been finalized, it is vital to continue maintaining this pressure. The international community has turned a blind eye to the atrocities in Gaza for many years; it must not repeat the same mistake in the occupied territories.