Jewish Settlers Assault and Rob Italian and North American Volunteers in Occupied Territories

Italy and Canada have raised concerns regarding the handling of their citizens who were assaulted and robbed by Jewish settlers in the Palestinian territories under occupation.

Particulars Surrounding the Violent Incident

A group comprising three Italians and one Canadian were assaulted in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday in the community of Ein al-Duyuk, near Jericho. They were serving to help protect the Palestinian population from intensifying settler violence.

“In the early morning of November 30th, a group of ten masked settlers, some armed with military-style rifles, forced their way into the residence where we were resting after a night shift,” said the Canadian national.

All four were hospitalised and one, an male Italian volunteer, was still receiving care in the city of Ramallah on Monday for more serious wounds.

Rising Tensions in the Village

The pace and intensity of attacks in this area have increased substantially over the past two months. This follows the establishment of a settler outpost in the vicinity and the arrival of young and aggressive settlers.

Local observers report that violent incidents have become an routine event. These incidents have involved groups of settlers breaking into homes, beating villagers, and stealing livestock and property.

Legal Status and Government Reactions

Although all Israeli communities on land seized in 1967 are considered unlawful by the international community, irregular outposts are also illegal under Israeli law. Ein al-Duyuk is in Area A of the West Bank, a zone meant to be administered of the Palestinian governing body.

The Canadian foreign ministry stated it “utterly rejects the acts of violence committed by radical settlers and opposes any actions or talk about absorbing Palestinian land.”

Italy's top diplomat, Minister Tajani, told reporters: “We have had enough of this hostility. This is not the way for the settlers to make their claims.”

Absence of Protection and Wider Situation

Residents and advocates report there has been little effective action by security forces to halt the assaults or dismantle the outpost. Senior figures of the Israeli governing coalition are vocal backers of settlements in the territory.

According to UN figures that Israeli settlers and security forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of minors, in the West Bank over the last 24 months.

Voice of the Volunteers

The injured Canadian noted that, notwithstanding the violence, she felt the presence of volunteers in the village had been meaningful.

“The villagers stood taller while we were present,” she said. “The children played freely. People slept through the night. That alone made our presence worthwhile.”

A Palestinian activist involved with groups that bring in international observers said the recent encampment has brought in ideologically driven settlers who seem to belong to an organised group.