Oppression in the West Bank: Eye witness in the Jordan Valley

JVL Introduction

This is a brief portrayal of everyday life for Palestinians in the West Bank, this time an eye witness account from the Jordan Valley.  We have posted about the destruction of three refugee camps in the north of the West Bank and about the South Hebron Hills, especially Massafer Yatta and especially Um Al Khair. While the horrors meted out  by Israel on the people of Gaza continue despite the so called “ceasefire” we cannot forget what is happening to Palestinians in the West Bank too and how ” Since October 2023, the situation has worsened dramatically. Soldiers have declared grazing grounds “firing zones,” demolitions have escalated, and settlers act with growing impunity. ”

For more information, Al Jazeera reported this week on Israel’s push to displace thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank and The Guardian reminded us of Israeli attacks on Palestinians’ access to water have taken place in the West Bank as well as Gaza, and Ha’aretz headed up an article from earlier this month as: ‘We May Have Reached the Point Where Settlers Try to Kill Jews’ .

In another article that same newspaper also noted that: “Senior Israeli security officials warn that the erosion of the military’s authority in the West Bank – under pressure from far-right ministers and coalition lawmakers – is creating a volatile security situation that could erupt at any time.

“There is no one today dealing with the West Bank,” a security source told Haaretz. “Everyone understands we are on the verge of an explosion. But no one will stand up and speak.”

“Commanders on the ground are genuinely afraid to raise problems or enforce the law,” the source added, “Because they immediately become targets for extremists who enjoy backing from ministers and Knesset members.” (my emphasis Ed)

As this article shows, the impact on Palestinians trying simply to go about their daily lives means more and more attacks, more and more restrictions and more and more difficulty.  This has to stop.

This report comes from the blogs for the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).

LL

This article was originally published by EAPPI UK & Ireland on Mon 24 Nov 2025. Read the original here.