The West Bank Under Occupation – “The presence of the Israeli army is imminent. They are advancing up the road!” our Palestinian driver Mohammad exclaims, visibly alarmed, as we approach the site of a recent settler assault in the village of al-Sawiya.
The message is relayed to him by anxious villagers gathered in the street. This marks my initial collaboration with Mohammad, who appears on edge and uneasy. In the brief time we’ve spent together, he has shared numerous harrowing encounters involving the Israeli military.
Stepping out of the vehicle, I am apprehensive that the army might prevent us from documenting the aftermath of the attack, necessitating swift action on my part.
Soldiers descend upon the Palestinian village of al-Sawiya following a settler attack the previous night.
Persistent rain and lingering white fog envelop the streets and hills, heightening the atmosphere of tension.
The previous night, individuals from a nearby illegal settlement had vandalized a car by dousing it in petrol and setting it ablaze. Witnesses reported that they had also intended to ignite the adjacent house while families slept inside, but their plans were thwarted when they were discovered and chased away, resulting in damage only to the vehicle.
Two military jeeps and an armored police vehicle arrive, with soldiers promptly instructing me not to film them. Rather than investigating the crime scene, their focus appears to be on showcasing authority and deterring any opposition from the villagers.
Local accounts suggest that not only has settler violence escalated in the occupied West Bank since the October 7 attacks by Hamas in southern Israel, but settlers also appear to enjoy backing from the Israeli military.
The children of al-Sawiya eagerly engage and pose for photographs [Alasdair Brenard/Al Jazeera]
Amidst the chaos, children in al-Sawiya express excitement, waving, smiling, and cheerfully posing for my camera, while inquiring, “Hello. How are you, habibi?” Meanwhile, the men exhibit solemn expressions, and the women remain mostly indoors, occasionally glimpsed through the windows.
Presence of Armed and Potentially Hazardous Settlers
The day prior, we had visited a Palestinian Bedouin community in Maarajat, situated in the mountains outside Jericho. The once barren landscape now flourished with greenery. The Bedouins residing at the base of a gentle hill found themselves increasingly encircled by illegal Israeli settlements and outposts.
During filming, the Bedouins pointed out two settlers in a small off-road vehicle on the horizon. To our surprise, they were attired identically to Israeli soldiers, carrying M16 rifles. While our Bedouin hosts expressed concern and sought refuge behind a nearby sheep pen, I deliberated on whether to approach these armed and potentially dangerous individuals.
The Maarajat Bedouin community nestled at the foot of a gentle hill [Alasdair Brenard/Al Jazeera]
Suleiman Atallah Mlaihat, the Bedouin leader, shared footage capturing daily settler attacks on their community and livestock. Faced with escalating intimidation and violence, Suleiman, alongside two companions, opted to report these crimes to the authorities.
Given that Palestinian police lack jurisdiction over Israeli settlers, Suleiman had to turn to the Israeli police for recourse. The police station was located within another larger settlement, approximately a 20-minute drive away.
Upon our arrival at the settlement, we witnessed the bias Suleiman and his community encountered at the hands of the Israelis. Guards at the entrance were in a state of agitation, one even warning Suleiman to keep his distance, citing concerns for her safety.
Suleiman Atallah Mlaihat [Alasdair Brenard/Al Jazeera]
Clad in body armor, helmet, and armed with an M16 assault rifle, the guard stood in stark contrast to Suleiman, dressed in a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
After some deliberation and ensuing protests from the guards, a police escort eventually arrived to accompany the three Bedouins into the settlement for questioning.
Subsequent revelations indicated that it took nine hours for Suleiman to recount his ordeals to the police, with the settler attacks on his community persisting unabated.
Like many other Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the Bedouins continue to endure the stress and fear stemming from settler aggression.