Israeli human rights group B’Tselem reports that in 2021, Israel killed at least 313 Palestinian men, women, and demolished almost 300 residential structures, leaving 895 Palestinians homeless.
Israeli soldiers’ and settlers’ efforts to torment Palestinians continue unabated in the new year: attacks, home demolitions, land expropriation, abductions, invasions, and more impede daily life in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
2021 has been particularly deadly for Palestinians: Israelis killed at least 282 Palestinians (77 children). 12 Israelis (1 child) were also killed.
While millions of Americans have been celebrating Christmas, Israeli forces have been attacking men, women, & children in the Bethlehem region, where shepherds are said to have received a profoundly wondrous message: “Peace on earth, goodwill to men”… Defense for Children reports: “Israeli forces targeted Palestinian children with excessive force making 2021 the deadliest year for Palestinian children since 2014.” (videos)
Israel has outdone itself in 2021 – destroying large swaths of Gaza, shooting to kill Palestinian protesters, endangering Palestinian children, and more. Here is a rundown of the year’s violence, covered by numerous IAK posts – with hopes that together, we can work to bring justice and peace in 2022.
The latest victim of Israeli violence was Jamil Abu “Ayyash, age 32, killed with a bullet to the back of the head while participating in a peaceful protest and posing no threat.
In Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Palestinians are presumed guilty; settler violence is invisible. The Washington Post perpetuates the myths.
A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli police after he allegedly shot and killed an Israeli. The Palestinian’s refugee camp was then invaded, his home ransacked, his wife & daughter arrested, and his 8-year-old son interrogated…
Israeli soldiers describe their actions in the Palestinian city of Hebron in the West Bank, and of Israeli settlers living there; excerpted from the film by Israeli director Rona Segal, “‘Everyone’s a Suspect.’ Six Former Israeli Soldiers Speak on Their Time in Hebron.”
Despite the increase in violence, Israeli forces continue their practice of not intervening to stop the attacks in most cases, and often actively join in, B’Tselem rights group says.