Palestine - February 2023

Violence and tensions continued to rise in the West Bank this month as Israeli authorities intensified settlement operations by conducting a series of daily raids that resulted in deadly clashes with Palestinians. On 22 February, Israeli forces conducted the deadliest raid in years, in which 11 Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured. This prompted a wave of protests and Palestinian attacks against Israelis, killing two settlers. In retaliation, a mob of Israeli settlers rampaged through several Palestinian villages, burning dozens of homes and cars, leaving one man dead and nearly 400 injured. In the first two months of 2023, 62 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and civilians, making it the deadliest start to a year since 2000. In an attempt to relieve tensions, Israeli and Palestinian officials met in Jordan and issued a joint statement pledging to de-escalate surging violence. Israel vowed to pause new settlement discussions for four months but denied it would suspend settlement expansion.

Also in February, Israel announced the legalization of several settlements in the West Bank and approved an amended Citizenship Law that permits the removal of Israeli citizenship and residency of Palestinians convicted of terrorism.

*Since the impact of these events are felt primarily in Palestine, they are coded as impacting democracy and human rights in that country. While they are not coded as having these impacts for Israel, it is Israeli action that causes the effects on democracy in Palestine.

Sources: Al Jazeera (1), Al Arabiya News, Al Jazeera (2), Arab News, Middle East Monitor, Associated Press, Reuters