Today, we are publishing our new report, "Settlers in Uniform", on violence perpetrated against Palestinians in the West Bank by Israeli civilians wearing military uniforms.
Israel has equipped thousands of settlers with military firearms and uniforms and given them lethal powers without adequate oversight mechanisms. Shootings, violent assaults, trespassing, theft and property damage are only some examples of the types of offenses Israeli civilians have committed against Palestinians behind the shield of military issued firearms and uniforms over the past two years.
These violations were perpetrated by settler-soldiers on military duty who were abusing their authority, settler-soldiers on leave acting outside any official mission, or settlers in uniform acting on their own initiative.
"Settlers in Uniform" demonstrates that Israel consistently, and as a matter of policy, enables the deliberate blurring of lines between settlers and military forces and promotes violent actions against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank by militias working in the service of settlement interests.
These practices run counter to Israel’s obligations under international law as the occupying power in the West Bank and gravely violate the human rights of Palestinians living there.
To read the full report: bit.ly/4tVOjg2