A Fragile Ceasefire and the West's Blind Eye to Escalation in the West Bank

Although the Gaza ceasefire agreement has only recently been signed, the occupied West Bank is already experiencing an increase in violence and unrest, which raises questions about the credibility of international efforts to facilitate peace. The military assault and settler violence in Palestinian communities by Israel serve as a stark reminder of the harsh reality that Western political support frequently encourages, rather than mitigates, actions that exacerbate tensions in the region.

The provisional armistice in Gaza was celebrated by the international community as a diplomatic victory. However, Israeli forces have initiated significant operations in the West Bank, with a particular emphasis on Jenin. Airstrikes, incursions, and checkpoints have further entrenched the system of apartheid that human rights groups have long characterized, disrupting the daily lives of millions of Palestinians. While the nearly three million Palestinians in the West Bank endure military rule, frequent incursions, and systematic dispossession, more than 500,000 Jewish settlers enjoy full citizenship rights. However, these actions are neither incidental nor isolated; they are a component of a more comprehensive strategy to establish control over occupied territories.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's uncompromising coalition significantly complicates an already unstable situation. Netanyahu seems to be appeasing ultranationalist partners by implementing aggressive policies in the West Bank, despite the fact that he is currently facing a backlash following his agreement to the Gaza ceasefire. Bezalel Smotrich, the Finance Minister, has publicly advocated for the annexation of the West Bank and the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians, which are euphemisms for forcible displacement that evoke the colonialist rhetoric of bygone eras. Itamar Ben-Gvir's resignation and threats from other members of the far-right coalition underscore the precarious equilibrium that Netanyahu must preserve in order to retain power, even if it means sacrificing Palestinian lives and any notion of peace.

The reemergence of Donald Trump as the president of the United States complicates the situation, as his policies during his first tenure encouraged the expansion of Israeli settlements. In recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, his administration proposed a "peace plan" that legitimized annexation and disregarded Palestinian aspirations. Currently, Trump has unwound sanctions from the Biden era that targeted Israeli settlers and extremists, indicating a permissive posture that essentially encourages additional aggression. His assertion that "it's not our war, it's their war" suggests a passive approach that disregards America's substantial involvement in the conflict, which includes billions in military aid and diplomatic leverage.

In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Western nations, particularly the United States, have long positioned themselves as mediators. Yet their actions consistently favor Israel, whether by vetoing UN resolutions that are critical of settlement policies or by ignoring settler violence. Even as entire neighborhoods were destroyed and thousands of civilians were killed, the Biden administration continued to provide military aid during the recent Gaza conflict, despite initial aspirations for a more balanced policy.

Concurrently, the international community's selective outrage becomes increasingly apparent. While sanctions and condemnation are frequently imposed on other states for violating international law, Israeli policies are frequently met with silence or ineffectual rebukes. The West's double standards undermine its credibility and exacerbate the perception of complicity in the maintenance of an unjust status quo.

The failure of the international community to hold Israel accountable is exemplified by the West Bank crackdowns and settler rampages, which are not solely local issues. Western governments effectively endorse the systemic injustices inflicted on Palestinians by neglecting to challenge them, thereby ensuring that vicious cycles of violence persist unabated.

Genuine peacebuilding cannot be replaced by ceasefires, despite their necessity. The present circumstances serve as a somber reminder of this. A temporary armistice will always unravel if the underlying causes of the conflict—occupation, displacement, and inequality—are not addressed. The prospect of a fair and enduring peace is becoming increasingly dim as Israel's control over the West Bank is further increased and Western leaders provide little more than empty rhetoric.