This is one of those clashes that “erupt” on the West Bank when Israeli soldiers attack unarmed Palestinians. Israeli soldiers armed with tear gas, stun grenades, water hoses, skunk bombs, & live ammunition go up against Palestinians defending themselves with rocks, slingshots, & burning tires. Under international law, Israel has no right to occupy the West Bank since the Oslo Accords (which negotiated terms of Palestinian surrender to Israel) gave jurisdiction to the Palestinian National Authority. But of course, international laws for justice are unenforceable & lawless Israel would flout them in any case. Note that when it comes to bellicose sanctions (like against Iraq, Libya, or Iran), international laws made up on the spot have the full force of UN military occupation. It should be added that the issue of Zionist settlements in the West Bank was unresolved in the Oslo Accords--so as to leave Israel a barn door to march settlers & troops in--an opening they have taken full advantage of. Israeli settlements are nevertheless illegal under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, to which Israel is a signatory (ratified in 1951).
Israel has conducted many military campaigns (including bombing & massive destruction of Palestinian property) against Nablus since it has several refugee camps & was a center of the Second Intifada, a period of intensified Palestinian resistance between 2000 & 2005. The continued occupation by Israeli soldiers is of course to provide security for Zionist settlers moving in from the US, India, France--migrants with or without that distinctive Jewish Y-chromosome who can replace Palestinians who have lived in the area for generations. Defend the Palestinians right to their own lands by honoring the boycott of all Israeli products (barcode beginning 729) & demand an end to all US aid to Israel genocide! (Photo by Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP)
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