Increasing efforts in support of Israeli impunity

News that Israel has approved the construction of over 900 new housing units in the occupied West Bank has elicited comments from PLO Executive Committee Chairman Saeb Erekat, who embarked upon the usual selective criteria utilised for criticism of Israel’s settlement expansion. The new dwellings are expected to accommodate an additional 4,500 Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory.

According to Wafa news agency, Erekat declared, “These housing units could not be approved without the impunity that the international community has granted Israel. Israel, the occupying power, systematically ignores all calls made to stop its violations and crimes, particularly those calls made by the European community.”

Erekat’s rhetoric merely constitutes a recapitulation of the international community’s weak criticism of Israel. There are attempts to disguise this easily recognisable trait by occasionally speaking of impunity, yet the assertiveness is lost through several factors.

Primarily, this is by the subservience of Palestinian leaders who have squandered Palestine’s history and memory through deals that promoted and approved of settlement expansion. Additionally, the constant seeking of legitimacy and recognition from the international community has rendered all alleged criticism of Israel’s settlement expansion void. As an entity that considers international impositions on Palestine a priority, the cycle of impunity which Erekat alludes to should adjust its expansive confines to include Palestinian leaders who have betrayed the land’s memory and population in return for undeserved status wrought through collaboration and conspiracy. Predictably, Erekat also draws the line at addressing settler-colonialism, preferring the reliance upon “occupying power” which has become a vague description detached from the colonial foundations that sustain it.

Wafa also reported that the necessary steps would be taken within international forums, including the ICC, “in order to end the Israel crimes and achieve the long overdue inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.” The same repetitive premises have produced nothing but the usual condemnations and stating of obvious facts. Just like Erekat and his clan, the United Nations is far removed from any genuine concern regarding settlement expansion and the forced expulsion of Palestinians from their land.

Systematic posing and repetitive regurgitation of such statements from officials have ultimately bolstered the UN’s motives of supporting various forms of violence and terror, which effectively grants Israel and the international community impunity as regards the perpetual “security concerns” which have now become a reliable staple clause allowing the perpetration of further atrocities against the Palestinians. Despite Europe being hailed for having a heightened awareness about Palestine, the EU has failed Palestinians repeatedly by attempting to project a measure of equity rather than address colonial violence.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi recently affirmed his commitment to Israel’s security in remarks to the Knesset, based upon a Zionist distortion of history. Renzi also dismissed the boycotts as “stupid” and declared: “We will never compromise when it comes to the future of Israel. Your security is our security.” The latter was uttered in reference to the Iran deal, thus aiding Netanyahu in disseminating the terror narrative.

The Times of Israel’s interview with ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda also carries strains of the same international hypocrisy. According to the transcript, Bensouda stated, “From the outset, I have been consistent in stating that the situation in Palestine will not be treated any differently from the others.” I beg to differ, but Palestine should be treated differently because its case rests upon international complicity in Israel’s military occupation of their land. As can be seen in statements uttered by Erekat, Renzi and Bensouda, the international community’s aim is not to obtain justice for Palestine but to persist in forging firm foundations which allow Israel to colonise the land away from the international scrutiny and accountability that should be associated with such violence.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.