HEBRON, Saturday, December 12, 2020 (WAFA) - Israeli settlers living in occupied West Bank settlements attacked today evening a Palestinian journalist in Tel al-Rumeida neighborhood in Hebron's city, in the southern occupied West Bank, according to WAFA correspondent.

WAFA correspondent said several settlers from the nearby illegal Israeli settlements of Ramat Yishai and Beit Hadassah beat up Palestinian journalist Mohanned Qafesheh in his home city in Hebron, causing him injuries to the head.

The journalist, Qafesheh, who works for Palestine Sports Channel, said he attempted to defend himself against the settlers' attack while Israeli forces stood idly by and provided the settlers with protection while they beat him up.

B'Tselem, the Israeli information center for human rights in occupied territories, said: "Settler violence has long since become part of Palestinians’ daily life under occupation. Israeli security forces enable these actions, which result in Palestinian casualties – injuries and fatalities – as well as damage to land and property. In some cases, they even serve as an armed escort, or even join in the attacks."

"Investigations, if even opened, are usually closed with no action taken against perpetrators as part of an undeclared policy of leniency. The long-term effect of this violence is the dispossession of Palestinians from increasing parts of the West Bank, making it easier for Israel to take over land and resources," stated the center.

Under international law, Israel has a duty to protect Palestinians in the West Bank from this conduct. However, Israeli authorities routinely shirk this responsibility, even when violent actions can be anticipated. Thousands of testimonies, videos, and reports, as well as many years of close monitoring by B’Tselem and other organizations, reveal that Israeli security forces not only allow settlers to harm Palestinians and their property as a matter of course – they often provide the perpetrators escort and back-up.

T.R.