11:23 am
Chambria N. Brawley
After the evictions of settlers from a Hebron house, Israeli extremists sought retaliation on their Palestinian counterparts, shooting and wounding three Palestinians, setting fire to both cars and fields, and launching rocks as well. The entire West Bank has been declared a closed military zone, in order to prevent any further retaliation. Dozens of Palestinians burned tires and slung rocks at Israeli military troops in Hebron on Friday; military forces responded by firing tear gas, while approximately 2,000 others in Gaza City took part in a Hamas-led protest in regards to the settler violence. Security was sternly enforced on Friday, with increased security around Jerusalem mosque compounds. Access was restricted to Muslims, holding Israeli identity cards over the age of 45; there were no age restrictions for women. Authorities have come under harsh scrutiny concerning their lack of protection against Palestinians who resided in the area referred to as the “House of Contention.” As the governing authority, Israel is obligated to protect Palestinian citizens, property, and holy sites. Further attacks would only pose more of a threat to exacting a peace process. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has called on the UN Security Council session to discuss the settler violence. Videotapes have been released which shows a settler shooting two Palestinians, and a guard from a nearby settlement firing into the air, as relatives of the gunman were being overpowered.
The videotape has since been released to Hebron police, with justice being demanded in regards to the gunman, the security guard, and security forces will also be looking into the failures which allotted for settlers to riot in Palestinian neighborhoods.
There have always been strained relations between Israel and Palestine with the majority of it being centered around matters of supremacy and land control. In my opinion, this does not give one the right to persecute another group because they can. Israel has been subject to violence from several of its neighboring countries. Being a relatively small country, it would be necessary to establish yourself as a force, but it should not be displayed injustly. This is a fragile region and I’m not sure even peace will ever radiate beyond these borders.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j5la-INhfiiwdngSOgYtKr0OLSjw
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