Escalating Conflict in Gaza Intensifies Pressure on Palestinians Abroad
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, has increasingly affected Palestinians residing in Israel, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Following a violent attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 hostages, the repercussions for Palestinians in these regions have become severe.
In the West Bank, settlement expansion by Israeli colonists continues unabated, while in East Jerusalem, demolition of homes has reached unprecedented levels. Concurrently, the Arab minority within Israel faces mounting pressure, manifested through a series of laws perceived as overly harsh by many observers.
Hadeel Abu Salih, a Palestinian lawyer affiliated with the legal organization Adalah, highlights the rapid pace at which new laws are being enacted by the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Despite having documented around 70 discriminatory laws targeting Palestinians over the years, she notes that the current legislative environment is alarmingly swift and oppressive. Abu Salih argues that the ongoing war is being used as a justification for these new measures.
On November 4, the Knesset passed a law empowering the Ministry of Education to dismiss teachers who openly align with or support terrorist organizations without judicial intervention. Just days later, another law was enacted permitting the deportation of relatives of individuals identified as terrorists, a measure championed by the ultranationalist Jewish Power party, led by the extreme-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir.
Additionally, a temporary law was introduced, allowing for the imprisonment of minors aged 12 and older if convicted of murder under the guise of terrorism. Critics, including Adalah, argue that these laws are based on overly broad and vague definitions of terrorism, effectively enabling collective punishment against Palestinians, whether they are Israeli citizens or residents of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Abu Salih emphasizes that the new antiterrorism legislation allows for individuals to be accused and imprisoned without judicial oversight. The potential for deportation now extends not only to individuals but also to their families. Prior to the recent escalations, 95% of terrorism convictions were directed at Arab individuals, a figure that has risen to 98% since the conflict intensified.
Public expressions of solidarity with Gaza, once common, may now lead to arrest. For instance, two human rights advocates were detained during a protest over an airstrike on a Gaza hospital. They faced significant legal repercussions for their participation in what authorities deemed unauthorized demonstrations.
In East Jerusalem, where approximately 360,000 Palestinians live, the impact of these policies is palpable. In 2024 alone, a record 255 buildings were demolished, including 181 homes. Residents like Fakri Abu Diab recount their heartbreak as they witness their homes being destroyed under claims of illegal construction. Abu Diab, who has lived in the area since before the 1967 occupation, now resides in a makeshift shelter after his home was demolished.
He asserts that these demolitions violate international law and reflects on the political motivations behind the demolitions, suggesting a systematic effort to replace Palestinian presence with Israeli settlers.
In the West Bank, the situation has also deteriorated significantly, with a surge in illegal settlement outposts being established. Observers note that the bureaucratic processes surrounding land ownership and housing have become tools for displacing Palestinians. Families are pressured to demolish their own homes to avoid exorbitant fines and potential imprisonment, while settlers occupy newly expropriated properties, often backed by discriminatory legal frameworks.
As the Israeli government continues to tighten its grip on Palestinian communities amid the ongoing conflict, the situation remains fraught with tension, raising urgent questions about human rights and the future of the region.
