Palestinian artist and human rights activist Eid Hathaleen has accused Israeli settlers of executing a systematic campaign of violence against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank. Speaking to France 24 on May 10, Hathaleen described the current environment as one of “killing Palestinians in broad daylight” with what he characterized as the “full support of the military.”
Hathaleen, a lifelong resident of the Bedouin village of Umm al-Kheir in the Masafer Yatta region, argued that the violence is not a series of isolated or random confrontations. Instead, he contends the attacks represent an organized structure of extreme intimidation designed to force Palestinians from their land.
According to the report, residents of Umm al-Kheir have faced frequent attacks, including the burning of homes and physical brutality. Hathaleen detailed how these assaults often target the most vulnerable, including children attending school. He noted that he has personally lost members of his family to the violence and has been subjected to interrogations by Israeli authorities.
The struggle for legal accountability
Beyond the physical toll, Hathaleen highlighted the daunting challenge of seeking justice within the current legal framework. He stated that the legal system routinely fails to protect Palestinian communities or hold perpetrators accountable for the violence.
He argues that the deeper objective behind these frequent attacks is the forced displacement and expulsion of Palestinians from the territory. His testimony follows a pattern of reports regarding rising tensions in the region, including ongoing military operations and settler activity that continue to displace local populations.
The interview underscores the normalization of daily violence that many Palestinians in the region now face. As an activist, Hathaleen continues to document these incidents, framing them as part of a larger, state-backed effort to alter the demographic reality of the West Bank.
