4th July 2016 | International Solidarity Movement, al-Khalil team | Hebron, occupied Palestine
On Saturday morning, less than 24 hours after Israeli forces implemented a discriminatory siege on Hebron and less than 12 hours after Israeli forces entered the H1, Palestinian controlled areas of the West Bank’s most populous city, a group of illegal settlers were escorted through the city by Israeli forces.
Approximately 100 settlers were escorted through the old city by over 30 soldiers. Israeli forces blocked access to some Palestinians who were attempting to walk through the market or were forced to wait for the large group to pass.
Some settlers were openly carrying weapons with one man having what looked to be an M4 rifle slung over his shoulder. The settlers appeared to have no interest in buying any goods from the local vendors and the exercise seemed to be for the sole purpose of further disrupting Palestinian’s daily lives, intimidation and a show of force.
This is just another display of apartheid in Hebron where Palestinians have had their right to movement denied while illegal settlers are escorted through the streets by Israeli forces.