Neelam Rahim / neelam@radioislam.co.za

3 min read
02 February 2023 / 17:02 pm CAT

Photo: News24

A rise in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem is feared following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to make it easier for Israelis to acquire firearms.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Israeli-American anthropologist, author, lecturer, and political activist Jeff Halper said the violence perpetrated against Palestinians by Israeli forces continues to spiral intentionally.

Israel has constantly been killing Palestinians in the last few weeks in Jenin and other places, receiving a lot of international condonation.

Halper said Israel uses the attacks as a pretext for pursuing the same agenda of clearing Palestinians from their land, demolishing their homes and repressing their resistance as it’s always done. Now able to do it faster and more brutally because it has international sympathy from the governments and media.

Meanwhile, On Saturday, Netanyahu said he would expedite gun permits for Israeli citizens and to step up efforts to collect “illegal weapons.”

According to Halper, Israel arming its citizens allows it to focus on more significant international agendas.

Israel has got to keep a balance where there is a continuous conflict that is in their interest but should not flare up too big as it shifts focus from the more extensive agenda, which is the controls of Israel and the US over the Middle East and its resources.

Listen to the interview with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and Jeff Halper on Radio Islam’s podcast.