SEEDS OF MORE RUCTION

The Israeli military has begun supplying settlers with tear gas and stun grenades in anticipation of Palestinian protests. The arming of settlers is part of ‘Operation Summer Seeds’ – the Israeli Defence Force’s (IDF) response to Palestine’s application for UN recognition (see SchNEWS 784), which is expected to go through in September.

Although the US will veto full membership of the UN, Palestine is expected to gain the title of non-member state. This is unlikely to have much effect on the day-to-day life of a Palestinian, but Israeli authorities are expecting it to act as a trigger for further demonstrations like those seen in May (see SchNEWS 772).

Worried by the prospect of mass, non-violent protests the IDF obviously feels vulnerable (despite having one of the most advanced armies on the planet) and has been stepping-up the training of ‘civil defence teams’ – effectively settler paramilitaries. Although they’ve been told to “avoid killing civilians” the Israeli security forces have drawn up red lines around settlements, once a Palestinian crosses this line, it’s fair game to shoot at their legs.

Human rights group B’Tselem has reported 42 cases of settler violence so far this year, including the murder of two Palestinian teenagers. Meanwhile Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s foreign minister, has been firing up the already trigger happy settlers saying “The PA (Palestinian Authority) is planning bloodshed the likes of which we’ve never seen before”.

The Israeli government has ordered petrol stations and supermarkets to stockpile supplies in preparation for “mass disorder” from 19th September. This siege mentality and arming of fervent Israelis is unlikely to calm an already volatile situation.