The Israeli government has finalized legislation authorising 19 illegal settler outposts to be planted in the northern West Bank, a move overturning the 2005 evacuation of several settlements under the disengagement deal. The decision was announced on Sunday by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said, "This is righting a historic injustice of expulsion from 20 years ago. We are putting the brakes on the rise of a Palestinian... state."

 

A settler himself, Smotrich bragged that the government has approved 69 settler outposts over the past three years.As the settlers and their advocates could collapse his government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses them nothing.Once out of office, he could be jailed for breach of trust, corruption, and bribery.

 

Consequently, settler violence has soared in the West Bank with the aim of driving out the Palestinians.However, since they number three million, this is a near impossible objective. Settlers argue that they are implementing the century-old Zionist programme which called for close Jewish settlement on the entire land of Palestine and the expropriation and expulsion of native Palestinians. Settlers have attacked Palestinian farmers harvesting their olives and damaged and destroyed olive trees. Settlers have abducted and beaten protesting Palestinians and attacked Israeli activists joining them. Settlers have coalesced into an influential movement which has the gained support of many in the society, and individual settlers have been promoted to top positions in the army and assumed senior government and political posts.

 

Timing is significant.First, the US and Europe, which could put the brakes on Israel’s strategic land-grab, are immersed in the festivals of Christmas and New Year.Israel can be expected to mount strikes on southern Lebanon, ratchet up attacks on devastated Gaza and conduct incursions into the West Bank while Israeli settlers could indulge in provocations designed to force army intervention against Palestinians.

 

Second, 157 of the 193 United Nations member state have recognised the State of Palestine which, under the two-state solution, should emerge in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as its capital.Israel is seriously concerned because among the latest to recognise Palestine are Britain, Australia, Canada and France, traditional supporters of Israel. Furthermore, Israel cannot rely on the United States, which is currently led by a mercurial, unreliable Donald Trump who has recently exhibited his independence from Israel. As he is set to meet Netanyahu next week, encounter should be interesting as Trump remains determined to deliver on his Gaza peace plan which would compel Israel to withdraw its army from the 53 per cent of the strip it occupies.

 

Once Israel has pulled out and Hamas has put its arms under wraps and stepped down, Gaza would be governed by a Palestinian committee of technocrats which would be overseen by a Board of Peace headed by Trump, provided with humanitarian aid, and developed.The US has suggested that Gaza couldbecome a high-tech hub which could compete with Israel's firms in this field. If his plan for Gaza is realised, Trump hopes he would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a dream which has not so far materialised.He is jealous of former President Barack Obama who was given the prize during his first term for promoting coexistence and understanding among communities.Trump does the opposite.

 

Third, recognition of Palestine strengthens its standing in the international community, increases pressure on Israel to halt land confiscations and settlement activities, and enables Palestinian officials to behave as representatives of an existing state although Palestine is at present a state-in-waiting.

 

Fourth, once Palestine emerges in East Jerusalem, the West Bank (minus Israeli settlers) and Gaza, regional leaders and citizens should be able to breathe a sigh of relief as Israel will have no excuse, however spurious, to attack neighbouring states and occupy their territories, and could cease its career as a loose cannon.

 

Fifth, if ever the "Palestine Problem" is resolved, Israel could be compelled to grant equal rights for and treatment to its Palestinian citizens and extend respect to Arab neighbours with the aim of achieving a modicum of normalisation if not acceptance in this region.As a Western colonial settler implantation, Israel could be tolerated but will never achieve integration.END