Israeli Settlement and State Terrorism from an International Law Perspective رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Since 1948, Zionist organizations have been involved in acts of violence and orchestrated acts of terrorism. These activities were codified and granted legal legitimacy after the proclamation of the foundation of the State of Israel. Over time, these activities have been incorporated into the official structures of the governing authorities of the occupying power, with varying degrees of authority allocated to each. The integration of former members of terrorist organizations into the state apparatus and political parties has played a role in the formation of The Israeli occupation army. Additionally, some of these individuals have become prime ministers of Israel, including Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Shamir, and Sharon. Israel has actively sought to increase its control over the occupied territories since the June 1967 war. It has utilized various methods, mainly by adapting existing laws and enacting numerous military orders. These actions have allowed Israel to justify its control and confiscation of Palestinian land, which is then used for settlement projects. These projects, proposed by successive Israeli governments, aim to encircle the lands in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, effectively isolating Palestinians within geographically separate areas. The Israeli governments have designated a portion of their overall budget to fund the building of settlements and provide assistance to settler gangs. These settler militias have been given various incentives to create a favourable environment for them to live in the settlements constructed on Palestinian territory. The living conditions in these settlements are luxurious, ensuring that the settler militias are strongly connected to residing there. Over time, these settlements have evolved from kibbutzim to integrated settlement cities. VI The Israeli Government also provided weapons to the settler militias living in these settlements despite their aggressive and violent actions against the Palestinian civilian population. These actions have resulted in the loss of life, the destruction of property, and the burning of towns. The Israeli security and judicial services are aware of and support these actions, ensuring that the settler militias face no consequences for their criminal behaviour and providing them with protection during their escalating violence against Palestinians. Israel has incorporated violence into its system of governance, with the legislative, judicial, and executive branches collaborating to promote the growth of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and to support the settler militias, thereby encouraging them to harm the lives of Palestinians.This has had a detrimental effect on Palestinians' ability to access employment, healthcare, freedom of movement, education, and other rights safeguarded by international conventions, as affirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its 2004 advisory opinion on the construction of the apartheid wall in the Palestinian territory that has led to the seizure of extensive land areas. These settlements provide a haven for settlers who are affiliated with numerous Zionist organizations, some of which are classified as terrorist groups within Israel. This enables them to carry out acts of aggression against unarmed Palestinians while being encouraged, supported, financed, and provided with a comfortable lifestyle. Due to the settlers' aggressive actions, numerous Palestinians were forcefully displaced from their territories, instilling fear, intimidation, and terror within the Palestinian community. The crimes of the settlers, which are endorsed by the Israeli legislative, security, and judicial institutions to enable them and ensure their immunity for the acts of terrorism VII they carry out on behalf of Israel, contravene international law, particularly the international agreements that prohibit terrorism, it's financing, and the imperative to combat it. Consequently, Israel is implicated in state terrorism of an organized nature.