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Published Articles by   Bassem Eid

March 20, 2001: Criminal Negligence? Settler Violence and State Inaction During the Al-Aqsa Intifada
A new report by Alon Carmel for the PHRMG

''The settlers of Yesha are facing a battle that was forced on them, and they are doing so calmly and bravely, and are setting an example. I salute them…' - Israeli Minister of Defence, Benyamin Ben-Eliezer¹

'It seemed the settler who killed my son wanted to take revenge because his car was stoned a week before. Anyhow, the Israeli police apprehended 3 settlers for one night, and released them the following day.' - Haj Hamed Shalash, father of Mohammed Shalash (18)

Since the beginning of the Al-Aqsa intifada on the 28/09/2000, PHRMG has documneted that at least 7 Palestinians have been killed by settlers. At least 39 have been shot and injured by settlers. At least 11 have been beaten, there have been at least 48 reports of stoning attacks and another 48 attacks against property, especially the uprooting, or cutting down of olive trees.

The Israeli government, through its law enforcement agencies - the army, the police and the judiciary - is failing to live up to its international obligations to protect the Palestinian civilian population against attacks, and also failing to fulfil their duty to ensure that everyone is equal before the law.

Although settler violence is not new, it has increased during the Al-Aqsa intifada. The settlers have reacted to what they see as inaction and restraint on the part of the army, by taking their own steps to crush the uprising and to increase their own 'security', including the controversial 'settler patrols.'

Please find enclosed a summary of the report. In order to receive the full report please contact us by email or phone and we can send you an electronic copy. The hard copy will be published in the Monitor by the end of March. The report will be on the web (www.phrmg.org) from 21/03/2000.

For additional information and/or an interview with the author Alon Carmel, please call the PHRMG on 02 - 582 3372. Please note that Alon will only be in the country until the 31/03/2001.