FOG BLOG WORLD NEWS LOG: UPSWING IN VIOLENCE DESPITE COMMITMENT BETWEEN PALLESTINE AND ISRAEL!

Israel-Palestine conflict: Recent developments and statements The Israel-Palestine conflict has seen increased violence in 2023. Despite a joint Israeli-Palestinian commitment announced on 26 February 2023 to work towards ending the violence, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of the commitment. This article looks at recent developments in the region and statements, including from the UK and international community, focused on ending the conflict. Tensions between Israel and Palestine have increased during 2023. The violence has fuelled speculation that another ‘intifada’ could be imminent. Intifada refers to two previous uprisings in 1978 and 2000 by Palestinians against Israel. Examples of recent violence include: 26 February 2023: A Palestinian gunman was reported to have killed two Israeli settler brothers in Hawara, a town in the northern West Bank. Israeli settlers were then said to have set cars and homes on fire in Palestinian villages in retaliation. Dozens of people were reported to have been wounded, and an Israeli American killed. In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israel Defense Forces was investigating the incident and urged the public not to take the law into their own hands.

Israel’s political landscape has changed recently, with a new coalition government taking office on 29 December 2022. Led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the coalition consists of six parties, including the Religious Zionist Party, which describes itself as the “national religious party”. Concerns have been expressed about the party’s position on the conflict. The coalition agreements include commitments to “advance and develop” settlements, including in the West Bank, and to legalise some settlement outposts.

On 13 February 2023, the Israeli government announced its Security Cabinet had authorised nine settlements in the occupied West Bank. This was in response to what it called “murderous terrorist attacks” in east Jerusalem. The announcement led to a presidential statement by the UN Security Council. The UN statement said the plans risked impeding peace and hampering the viability of a two-state solution. In response, the Israel Prime Minister’s Office described the UN statement as “one-sided” and said “the statement should never have been made and the United States should never have joined it”. Several days later, Israel announced it would pause building new settlements in the occupied West Bank for the “coming months”.