The PHRMG Condemns Settlers Violence

On the 17^th of August, a West Bank settler; Asher Weissgan (38), shot to death four Palestinians and wounded two others, one of them seriously. This is the second Jewish terror attack in less than two weeks. On the 4^th of August, another settler; Eden Natan-Zada (19), opened fire on a bus in the Arab town of Shfaram, killing four Palestinians.

Israel’s duty extends not just to Israeli citizens but also – and equally – to Palestinians in the Occupied Territories under its control. 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 fulfill their duty to ensure that everyone is equal before the law.

Two separate and unequal legal systems operate side-by-side, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians. While Palestinians who kill Israelis are prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent permitted by law, Israelis who kill Palestinians are seldom prosecuted and when they are, they receive grossly inadequate sentences.

The government of Israel distributes weapons among the Jewish settlers in order to protect themselves. Unfortunately, some settlers misuse them to kill Palestinians instead. The PHRMG is concerned of the misuse of weapons and urges the Israeli government to take actions toward the Jewish terror.

Since the beginning of the Al-Aqsa Intifada on the 28/09/2000, PHRMG has documented that 35 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers. None of the settlers had been punished to the fullest extent permitted by law. Although settler violence is not new, it has increased in the last two weeks. The settlers have reacted to what they see as inaction and restraint on the part of the army, by taking their own steps.

Two Jewish terror attacks in less than two weeks is threatens the Palestinians’ security. It threatens the Israelis’ security as well, as Hamas has threatened revenge for the shootings. The PHRMG condemns the Jewish terror attacks and urges the Israeli government to bring the perpetrator to justice immediately.

The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG) is a Palestinian, independent, non-governmental organization working to end human rights violations committed against Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, regardless of those responsible.  The members of the Monitoring Group believe that the strength of democracy and civil society in Palestinian society will be determined by the Palestinian people, through their defense or neglect of human rights.

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tel. 972-2-582-3372/3

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