Israel must confront double standards in Hebron security, accountability - opinion

Israel must address the double standards it employs in its security response between Hebron and other areas, according to an opinion piece. The author rejects armed attacks and emphasizes that security for Israelis and dignity for Palestinians should form the foundation for any shared future. However, they question why an entire Palestinian city becomes the target of sweeping military measures after a single attack, while no similar response is seen to protect Palestinians from repeated settler attacks.

Following the October 23 attack, Hebron experienced closures, families being forced from their homes, raids, and demolitions, measures that extend beyond the perpetrator and impact a large portion of the population. The author argues that this swift and extensive response reveals a political template ready for implementation, affecting civilian life as a means of applying pressure.

The author points to a double standard in responding to attacks on Palestinian civilians versus settler violence. While Palestinian civilians face property burnings, community assaults, and lack of protection, there is no mobilization to ensure their safety or bring perpetrators to trial. The author rejects collective punishment and demands a single standard: pursue the perpetrator, protect the victim, and not hold civilians responsible for crimes they did not commit.

Israeli law enforcement's effectiveness in preventing attacks, investigating them, and holding perpetrators accountable is questioned. The Yesh Din organization has linked settler violence to the settlement expansion project and described the support it receives from state institutions. The author urges scrutiny and accountability for this disparity, which reflects a political approach that tolerates settler violence to pressure Palestinians and expand settlements.

The author argues that this tolerance creates two systems of protection and accountability with varying effectiveness based on the perpetrator and victim's identity. The West Bank's statistical framework, where settlers are counted while Palestinians are not, highlights this issue. Palestinians are legally obligated to be protected, but their authority seems to focus on surveillance and control rather than safety.

The author concludes that this system of military control over land, roads, and movement, with selective protection, creates a crisis beyond an isolated security failure. It makes identity a decisive factor in determining safety and restrictions on life. As a Palestinian advocating for dialogue and a democratic, demilitarized Palestinian state, the author fears this reality could undermine the future of both peoples and weaken the credibility of peaceful political action.