How Serious Is this Israeli Minister About Ending Settler Violence?

One tweet made by the Israeli Minister of Public Security Omer Barlev, who represents the Labor party, was enough to trigger right-wing anger across Israel, with many voices attacking him and calling on him to rethink his statements. 

The fury followed Barlev's meeting with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland with whom he had discussed the situation between Israelis and Palestinians, during which he referred to Israeli settlers' violence, explaining that both the US politician and he were interested in discussing ways to "reduce regional tensions and put an end to settlers' violence."

These statements angered Israel's conservative politicians who refused to acknowledge violence committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, who are deemed illegal residents as per international laws. 

Amongst the first and loudest voices attacking Omer Barlev was his fellow Minister of Interior Ayelet Shaked, who is often referred to as one of the most extreme voices of Israel's right-wing. 

Shaked condemned Barlev's tweet and said: "You're confused. The settlers are the salt of the earth. What should shock us are the daily incidents in which stones and Molotov cocktails are thrown at Jews — just because they are Jews — with the assistance of the PA."

Online, many people posted photos showing Palestinian protestors in different occasions across the West Bank, suggesting that violence is largely committed by them against Israeli residents of the illegal settlements in 1967 territories. 

In response, Barlev tweeted again urging Israelis to face the facts and to stop denying "that extremist settler violence is crossing the whole world and foreign governments are interested in the issue."

Translation: "I understand that it is really difficult for some of you to accept the fact that extremist settler violence is crossing the whole world and foreign governments are interested in the issue. I recommend a glass of water for those who have difficulty. I will continue to fight Palestinian terrorism as if there is no extremist settler violence - and fight extremist settler violence as if there is no Palestinian terrorism."

Meanwhile, others continued to support Barlev's remarks regarding settlers' violence, posting links of reports by Israeli and international human rights organizations referring to severe attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, such as attacks by the Price Tag movement, that often result in casualties.

However, given the fact that the current Israeli government is formed by the right-wing Yamina alliance casts doubts that Barlev can actually carry on with policies that would anger the country's pro-settlers communities.

Some analysts suggest that Barlev's remarks might have been mandated by necessity during the meeting with the US official who represents the Joe Biden administration which, unlike the former US Presidents, still endorses the two-state solution.

Written by Riham Darwish