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Last week, during a joint address by American leader Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, fellow parliamentarian Ayman Odeh and I displayed a sign calling for the recognition of the Palestinian state. We were forcibly removed from the parliamentary session, revealing the weak condition of what's often portrayed as the "sole democratic state in the region". How can officials talk about regional peace while refusing to recognize a population denied of fundamental liberties and entitlements under long-standing military control?

The Situation in the Occupied West Bank

Nowhere is the hypocrisy more apparent than in the occupied West Bank. There, words of peace seem distant and faint, while the frightening echoes of colonist attacks and intimidation continue loudly. Over 30 occurrences of violence by settlers against Palestinians have been recorded since the announcement of the US 20-point plan in late September, including physical assaults, theft of crops, and burning of vehicles and belongings.

Systematic Aggression During Harvest Season

The rise in violence by colonists is not coincidental. This time signals the start of harvest seasons. More than a vital economic activity, it represents an important social and cultural occasion that demonstrates endurance under occupation. Precisely for these causes, annually settlers attack Palestinian farmers during this crucial time. During the 2024 harvest season, human rights organizations recorded 113 separate incidents of violence, harassment, harvest-thwarting, or damage to olive groves and produce by settlers and soldiers, which occurred on territories owned by 51 Palestinian communities, towns, and areas.

Israel's military appeared to have played a larger part in hindering the harvesting season

Yesh Din also found that "Israel's military appeared to have played a larger part in obstructing the harvesting season". In about 70% of cases where access to lands was forcibly prevented, troops, border guards, and settlement security officials were physically on site. They either personally prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching and gathering their property, or failed to prevent settlers who threatened or attacked them.

Political Backing for Colonization

This is no surprise, as the head of the settlers' political party, Bezalel Smotrich, was appointed as an additional minister in the Ministry of Defence in charge of the territorial coordination unit. In one village, for instance, a special military coordination team removed personally-owned olive trees of local residents, claiming lack of permits, but overlooked violations by an illegal adjacent colonist encampment. Last week, the local court decided to stop all construction in the encampment, which was constructed on property taken by Israel and unlawfully transferred to settlers.

Takeover Ambitions and International Reaction

In the occupied West Bank, settler terrorism is nothing but a instrument used by the administration to pursue de-facto annexation. Recently, Smotrich led a march of many of settlers in support of annexation the West Bank. He was quoted as stating, "We are continuing to establish presence with our presence of the Land of Israel with many pioneers, many heroes, and countless of settlers who live in this part of the land ... we need to normalize it and establish it permanently."

The settlers and their supporters in the Knesset are explicit about their motives and intentions. Why, then, do government officials in the west refrain from substantial sanctions and diplomatic measures? Smotrich was penalized by the UK in the summer, but the effect of the sanction has been minimal. He may not be able to travel to the UK and visit the West End, but he still enjoys the governmental authority to take territories in the West Bank. Even in the announcement of penalties, the UK highlighted they apply "personally" only.

Global Recognition and Actual Situation

If the UK government acknowledges the truth of colonist aggression and its grave implications on Palestinian existence, why does it still allow settlement produce to be marketed in stores and shops in Britain? If Starmer is genuine about recognition of Palestine as a sovereign entity, how can he allow the Israeli government to violate its sovereignty with such aggressive methods? Or was the acknowledgment an empty tactic to silence opposition in the UK, a hollow act only to be realised in the rebranding of some maps?

Route Toward True Resolution

A just peace must honor the basic rights of the Palestinian people for self-recognition, independence, and freedom from military occupation and blockade. Only when every human being's worth across the Jordan River and sea is honored can we genuinely say peace has been achieved.

True peace requires an independent Palestinian nation alongside the Israeli state: this is the sole formula that enjoises consensus among the international community, the Palestinian leadership, and the Israeli peace camp.

The former US president may have inflicted influence on the Israeli leader to stop the violence, but he probably only did so because the strain of his connection with the isolated government of the Israeli PM had become excessive. The mass protests throughout the globe for the liberation of Palestine, and the persistent opposition demonstrations within the country, are the real forces behind this pressure.

It is due to this enormous public campaign that a ceasefire has been agreed, the captives released, and the residents of the territory can enjoy protection from destruction. Following the ceasefire agreement has been signed, it is vital to continue applying this influence. The international community has turned a blind eye to the atrocities in Gaza for too long; it must not make the same error in the West Bank.