An Israeli minister has disregarded the "terror" designation by the US following a fatal attack by settlers.

 

Avi Dichter shrugs off the US utilization of the term 'terror attack' to characterize the killing of a Palestinian by Israeli settlers.

A member of Israel's far-right government has disregarded the United States' classification of the Palestinian killing during an assault by Israeli settlers as a "terror attack."

"I wouldn't recommend considering the US classification as an exact professional definition. Ultimately, they aren't basing this on intelligence but on media accounts," Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter was quoted as stating by local media sources on Tuesday.

"Media reports encompass everything – accurate, inaccurate, biased, and more. Ultimately, what matters to us is what transpired on the ground," Dichter, a former head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, conveyed to Israel's Army Radio.

Qusai Jamal Maatan, a 19-year-old, was fatally shot in Burqa, east of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on Friday during an incident where armed settlers entered the village, leading to clashes with locals.

"We vehemently denounce the terror attack carried out by Israeli extremist settlers that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old Palestinian," stated the US State Department in a late Saturday announcement, emphasizing the need for "thorough accountability and justice."

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reaffirmed on Monday that the terminology used was intentional.

"The intention behind our choice of words was to label it a terror attack, and our concerns remain significant," he informed reporters.

"We have consistently emphasized that accountability and justice should be pursued with the same level of determination in all instances of violent extremism, regardless of the identity of the perpetrators," he added.

Miller highlighted the fact that Israel had taken custody of two settlers, which he deemed as "appropriate action."

According to Israeli media reports, one of the two suspects was a former aide to a member of the far-right Jewish Power party, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, who also serves as the public security minister. Ben-Gvir, widely known as a provocateur, has previously advocated for the displacement of Palestinians.

As per the Palestinian account, the settlers were part of a group that engaged in rock-throwing, car arson, and, when confronted by local residents, opened fire, resulting in the killing of Maatan and the injury of several others.

According to preliminary assessments by the Israeli military, the incident was portrayed as an escalated confrontation. A defense attorney argued that the settlers acted in self-defense.

In the court proceeding, a transcript of which was acquired by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the state charged the settlers with "willful or depraved-indifference homicide" coupled with a racially motivated intent.

In a social media post, Ben-Gvir asserted that Palestinian individuals hurling stones in Burqa had attempted to "murder Jews" and expressed his anticipation for a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

Rise in Escalation of Violence

Incidents of settler assaults on Palestinians and their belongings are frequent events. Ranging from physical assaults to acts of arson and vandalism, numerous instances of such occurrences often happen with the support of or in coordination with the Israeli military.

Approximately 600,000 to 750,000 Israeli settlers reside in over 250 illegal settlements and outposts throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements are in violation of international law.

Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank escalated significantly in the early part of last year when Israel initiated frequent raids into Palestinian territories.

This year alone, over 200 Palestinians have lost their lives in the occupied Palestinian territories and the blockaded Gaza Strip, with the majority of these fatalities occurring in the West Bank.

The data underscores that 2023 has already become the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since the United Nations began recording fatalities in 2005.

The United Nations has expressed concern over a significant surge in violence following the formation of Israel's right-wing government late last year, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a coalition.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has frequently criticized actions and statements from the coalition government, although it has refrained from implementing measures that could lead to public conflicts with Netanyahu.

Israel has maintained control over the West Bank since the Middle East war in 1967. The Palestinians aspire to include this territory as part of a future state. Attempts at negotiations mediated by the US with Israel for this purpose came to a standstill almost ten years ago.

In the meantime, Israel's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has once again declined to allocate funds to Palestinians.

On Tuesday, Bezalel Smotrich announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has endorsed his decision to withhold funds that were intended for allocation to Arab municipalities and educational initiatives in occupied East Jerusalem.

The withheld funds amount to 200 million shekels ($53.7 million).

On Sunday, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel requested the release of 315 million shekels ($84.6 million) that had previously been committed to Arab municipalities as part of development programs, as reported by Haaretz.

The current government budget solidifies the religious and pro-settlement policies of the ruling coalition.

Tens of millions of dollars have already been designated for extreme pro-settler parties as well as for expansion projects in settlements.