by Stephen Lendman

Here’s how Israeli justice works. Extremist settlers set a Palestinian family’s home ablaze, immolate three of its members in cold blood, seriously burn a fourth, and remain free to kill again because they’re not arrested - despite Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon admitting authorities know who’s responsible.

Settlers terrorize Palestinians daily, commit violence and vandalism, desecrate Islam’s third holiest site (the Al Aqsa Mosque) at their discretion, aided by rampaging soldiers and police, and remain free to commit more criminal acts.

Palestinian children throwing stones in self-defense, responding to Israeli security forces or settlers’ violence, face up to 20 years in prison, their families subject to stiff fines they can’t afford to pay.

On Thursday, a shooting incident killed two settlers, a husband and wife in their car. Their children with them at the time weren’t harmed. They’re orphaned like countless nameless, faceless Palestinian children no one gives a damn about, many of them maimed by Israeli aggression.

One or more assailants responsible for Thursdays incident remain unknown - Palestinians automatically blamed despite no evidence proving it or the precise motive for the attack.

Was it a random crime? Were both parents targeted? If so, why? Whenever an incident like this happens, Israeli hysteria follows. Security forces rampage through Palestinian communities violently, making random arrests, imposing curfews and lockdowns, terrorizing thousands of innocent people.

Netanyahu ignored his full responsibility for racist persecution, outrageously blaming “Palestinian incitement” for what happened. He ordered Defense Secretary Ya’alon to deploy hundreds of soldiers - turned loose to terrorize Palestinian communities, one of many examples of lawless collective punishment.

Following the incident, dozens of extremist settlers attacked Palestinian homes in areas south of Nablus. Some shouted Death to Arabs.”

Israeli soldiers invaded Huwware, Beit Forik and Beit Dajan, clashing with Palestinian youths. Roads were blocked south and southeast of Nablus. Many Palestinians were prevented from returning home.

Settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles near Shilo and Yitzhar settlements, as well in areas around the Huwwara and Zatara checkpoints.

Ya’alon threatened Palestinians, saying Israel will spare no effort “to place our hands on the murderers and their sponsors” - for sure one or more Palestinians to be charged no matter who’s to blame.

Witch hunt searches are well underway - continuing at least until someone is blamed, guilty or innocent. Once charged, it’s too late. Guilt by accusation suffices. Israeli justice for Palestinians works this way.

Meanwhile, they’re being attacked, unprotected against Arab-hating settlers and soldiers. After promising no longer to observe Oslo principles, Mahmoud Abbas remains silent, doing nothing to protect Palestinians from abuse.

“(I)ntensive (police state) search(es)” continue. Homes are invaded and ransaked, property damaged or stolen, family members seized for brutalizing interrogations.

An unverified report said a Fatah Abdel Qader al-Husseini Brigades member claimed responsibility. European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini extended condolences to aggrieved family members - never showing concern when Palestinians are abused, killed by security forces or imprisoned unjustly for political reasons.

Whoever was responsible for Thursday’s incident, Israel bears full responsibility. Violence begets it in return.

Expect dozens of arrests to follow, detainees tortured for information they don’t have. These incidents never have good endings. Palestinian suffering continues. Israeli brutality shows no mercy.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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