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Jasper van Dijk - More is needed for lasting peace than a denunciation of Israeli violence

14 May 2021

Jasper van Dijk - More is needed for lasting peace than a denunciation of Israeli violence

Foto: SP

There is a structural cause that causes the violence in the region to flare up regularly. It is rooted in the occupation policy that Israel has been pursuing for decades.

The war violence in Palestine and Israel is increasing rapidly. Dozens of deaths have already been reported on the Palestinian side, including many civilians. Missiles from Gaza have also killed several Israeli civilians. Every effort must be made to stop this escalation of violence as soon as possible.

Every upsurge in violence between Palestine and Israel – history counts many – has specific causes. In this case, it concerns the imminent eviction of several Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, who must make room for colonists, according to Israel. This action justifiably evokes a great deal of anger.

But there is also a structural cause that causes the violence in the region to flare up regularly. It is rooted in the occupation policy that Israel has been pursuing for decades. This occupation includes the continuous expansion of illegal settlements in Palestinian territory, the demolition of Palestinian buildings, the construction of an unlawful segregation wall and a murderous blockade against Gaza.

The respected human rights organisation Human Rights Watch recently delivered a harsh verdict on this discriminatory system. They call it apartheid, as do more and more organisations. According to the human rights organisation, Israel structurally tries to maintain the domination and oppression of Palestinians.

The continuing unlawful occupation makes it virtually impossible for Palestine to develop anything resembling a rule of law and democracy. This also has a negative impact on the quality and reliability of the Palestinian Authority, and the constant postponement of badly needed elections also contributes to discontent and disappointment on the Palestinian side.

Foreign Affairs Minister Blok and Prime Minister Rutte have so far reacted very poorly to the flare-up of war in the Middle East. Although, Blok does condemn the bombardments of civilian targets in Israel by Gaza. But the fact that Israel also carries out attacks on civilian targets and that civilian deaths, including those of children, occur during airstrikes against Gaza, remains unmentioned. It is an embarrassing one-sidedness that we have unfortunately grown accustomed to from this minister. Blok appeared unable to even condemn the 2018 Gaza massacre, when Israel killed 200 protesters.

If the Dutch Government were to come to its senses and also denounce Israeli violence, it would only be the start. Much more is needed for lasting peace between Palestine and Israel.

A relaunch of the so-called Middle East peace process is not part of it. Serious negotiations for peace deserve support of course, but in the past, such talks have mainly been used by Israel to further expand the settlements. As long as these 'peace negotiations' are led by the US, who stands right beside Israel and supports it politically and financially, it will remain a dead-end for the Palestinians.

What then? The only way to get Israel to give up the occupation of Palestine is to increase the pressure. This can be done, for example, by taking measures against unlawful settlements, such as restricting trade with them. The EU Association Agreement, which provides for trade benefits for Israel, can also be suspended. Furthermore, the EU can take targeted sanctions against those responsible for the war violence, such as banning entry and freezing assets.

Finally, the EU – as the largest donor to both Israel and the Palestinians – could claim leadership in peace negotiations. I will press for this in the debate with Minister Blok (Thursday 20 May). It is in everyone's interest that the war and occupation end as soon as possible.

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