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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221003-the-targeted-killing-of-palestinians-is-the-next-israeli-crime-to-be-normalised/">middleeastmonitor.com</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">The targeted killing of Palestinians is the next Israeli crime to be normalised</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Ramona Wadi</div></div><hr><p><span>October 3, 2022 </span>
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<img src="cid:ii_l8swlh0l0" alt="image.png" width="438" height="292"><br><p>For decades, the international community has sought to portray the
occupied West Bank as being distinct from Gaza by focusing on the
Palestinian Authority in terms of diplomacy, and showcasing Ramallah as
an example of prosperity. Israel's colonial violence in the occupied
West Bank and the PA's "sacred" security collaboration to oppress
Palestinians don't suit this narrative. Neither does it suit the PA's
financial backers to speak about how Palestinians in the West Bank and
Jerusalem are also active in legitimate anti-colonial resistance,
against both the PA and Israel.</p>
<p>The truth is that while Palestinians' experiences in Gaza differ from
those of Palestinians under the PA in the occupied West Bank, colonial
violence is a reality across the occupied Palestinian territories and
Israel has the power to implement measures that can make both on a par
in terms of violence, because it enjoys unparalleled international
impunity.</p>
<p>Despite the efforts by Israel and the PA, particularly given
Washington's insistence that the latter should be strengthened to avoid
the possibility of Hamas gaining ground politically, the Palestinian
people have reclaimed their anti-colonial struggle from the manipulation
of political factions. The refugee camps in particular have <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/9/13/why-is-israel-targeting-jenin-and-nablus" target="_blank">displayed</a> unity in resistance which has prompted Israel to <a href="https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-718422" target="_blank">approve</a>
the use of drones during raids by the Israeli military, thus making
targeted killings of Palestinians another violation to which the
international community will soon be turning a blind eye.</p>
<p>According to Israeli media reports, drones will now be used "not only
as cover and intelligence for forces during operations but also to
carry out strikes should armed gunmen be identified as posing imminent
threats to their troops." The targeted killings of Palestinians are thus
the next Israeli crimes to be normalised.</p>
<p>Both Israel and the PA have attempted to write off Palestinian
refugees as irrelevant. For Israel, refugees represent an absolute
demographic alteration if their legitimate right of return is ever
implemented. During the Trump administration, Israel sought to change
the definition of who constitutes a Palestinian refugee to the point of
their elimination altogether. The PA, on the other hand, has written off
Palestinian refugees and the right of return as symbolic references in
its rhetoric, while removing their relevance to the formation of a
Palestinian state by diluting the already compromised right of return,
and has no apparent issue at all with Zionist colonialism.</p>
<p>Palestinian anti-colonial struggle has been moving towards its roots,
recognising the strength within communities on the ground and uniting
with a common objective. The emergence of new brigades which are not
affiliated to political factions is also evidence of the changes which
Palestinians are now displaying. Mistrust of the PA, largely due to its
security services carrying out purges within the occupied West Bank for
the benefit of Israel and PA leader Mahmoud Abbas, have prompted
Palestinians to reclaim not only their narrative, but also their
political expression.</p>
<p>Extending not only the use of drones, but also the targeted killings
of Palestinians, should prompt us all to questions about Israel and its
accomplices, including the PA. Just months ago, an Israeli sniper
murdered Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who posed no
threat to the Israeli army at the time of her killing. The absence of
on the ground contact in Israel's new page of aggression against the
Palestinians will take targeted killings like that of Akleh to a new
level. In the past, such killings made headlines due to the involvement
of Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet. The Israeli plan to
normalise such violence within the occupied Palestinian territories
using the latest technology is upping the ante against Palestinian
refugees, while extending the boundaries of what constitutes normalised
and acceptable violence, as long as Palestinians are the victims.</p>
<p>We have to ask both the PA and the international community why they
continue to speak of a "two-state solution" even while Israel is seeking
to make the killing of Palestinians even easier. Why are they not
talking about protecting Palestinians from, and their right to resist,
Israel's brutal military occupation?</p>
<p>The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not
necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.</p>
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