The latest collection of bitterlemons essays focuses on Israeli views of settlers. The Obama Administration initially focused on a settlement freeze as the crux to resuming the peace process between Israel and Palestinians. The United States backed off its demands and Israel announced a partial and temporary settlement freeze that did not satisfy Palestinian leadership, thereby continuing the current stalemate.
Yesha Council (a coalition of settlers in the West Bank and the former settlements in the Gaza Strip) founder Yisrael Harel claims that the settlement movement is “deeply rooted” among non-settler Israelis. I cannot verify the veracity of that claim, but I can severely doubt it. When Israel pulled settlements out of the Gaza Strip, many Israelis joined the “Orange” movement that supported the settlers. Other Israelis expressed sympathy with the settlers, saying the Israeli government was declaring war on its own people. However, then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (a right-winger who nobody expected to initiate the pull-out) had widespread support for the withdrawal and it was largely viewed as necessary.
Granted the number of settlers in the Gaza Strip was dwarfed by the quantity of settlers in the West Bank. Similarly, the West Bank holds a significantly more spiritual status to the religious community than did the Gaza Strip.
But, both the settlements in the West Bank and the former settlements in the Gaza Strip have one thing in company that transcends any other issue. A two state solution will happen (even though we have no idea in what vehicle it will come) and the bulk of settlements exist in a future Palestinian state. The sooner the settlers and the Israeli government come to terms with this likely situation, the sooner a peace process can resume.
To complicate the matter further, some groups of radical settlers commit shameful acts against Palestinians, including vandalism, arson, and violence. Issa Samander, an official with a Palestinian NGO, issues a chilling warning. Some settlers would never act towards Israelis as they do towards Palestinians, actions that are sure to spark retaliation if the despicable actions are not stopped. He writes:
“Move the settlers back to Israel. Let them behave there the way they behave in occupied territory. Let Israelis know what they have unleashed on us. And don’t be fooled by the recent quiet. Palestinians have nothing left to lose. Let us hope that the US gathers its courage and strength and begins to truly work for peace.”
