Palestinian families in the West Bank are experiencing intimidation and harassment from extremist Israeli settlers, as investigated by BBC News. The report highlights the situation of a family forced from their home in the Hamra area due to threats from a settler identified as Moshe Shavit. Shavit, known for his aggressive behavior against Palestinians, is part of a broader movement to expand Israeli territory, which began after Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967. While settlements are approved and considered legal under Israeli law, outposts like Shavit’s do not have government approval, making them illegal under Israeli law but they are seldom demolished. The UN deems both settlements and outposts as illegal under international law. The political rise of ultra-nationalist settlers, now holding key positions in the Israeli government, has emboldened extremist settlers. The report also uncovers how an organization with ties to the Israeli government supports these radical settlers.
Investigation reveals campaign of intimidation by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
A family was forced to leave their home in the Hamra area due to threats from Jewish settler Moshe Shavit.
Moshe Shavit’s actions are part of a broader movement to expand Israeli territory, initiated following the 1967 war.
There are over 140 urban settlements in the West Bank, deemed legal under Israeli law but illegal under international law, according to the UN.
Shavit’s farm is an illegal outpost, which does not have Israeli government approval.
Ultra-nationalist settlers now hold key positions in the Israeli government, supporting the expansion of outposts.
The World Zionist Organization, tied to the Israeli government, supports settlers through land allocations.
Almost 200 illegal outposts have been established in the last 30 years, with nearly half since 2019.
Moshe Shavit and other settlers have been sanctioned by the UK, US, and EU for violence and harassment against Palestinians.
Efforts to confront Moshe Shavit about his actions and the sanctions were met with avoidance.
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current state with its current name on New Year’s Day 1927.
The BBC is the national broadcaster of the United Kingdom and the world's oldest and largest broadcast news organization. Principally funded by a public television license fee, it operates under a Royal Charter that mandates editorial impartiality and independence from the UK government. BBC News provides comprehensive global news, current affairs, and factual programming across radio, television, and online platforms, maintaining a vast network of foreign correspondents to serve audiences worldwide.
