YWCA of Palestine: When Morning Never Comes

Settler Terrorism leads to the burning alive of toddler Ali Saad Dawabsheh

A one and a half year old baby is dead in a “price tag” arson attack in the Village of Duma near Nablus. His hand embroidered bib reads “Good morning Mommy” reminding his critically burned mother, father and brother that there will be no tomorrow.

Today, the gates to the Old City are closed for worshippers at Al Aqsa who go to pray every Friday, and roads are blocked as Israel prepares for a day of rage in response.

This is not only an extremist attack by a right wing settler group who spray painted the words “Revenge” in Hebrew on the walls of Ali’s house but as PLO official Saeb Erekat said, “This is a direct consequence of decades of impunity given by Israeli government to settler terrorism.”

The Israeli Defense Minister called this “An act of barbaric terror perpetrated by Jews.” It is not only terrorism but it is also revenge for the for the Israeli Supreme Court decision to demolish two blocks built on Palestinian land in the illegal settlement of Beit El. This even after Prime Minister Netanyahu authorized 300 new planned homes in the settlement.

Impunity is not only something the Israeli government has awarded these violent settlers but something we in the international community have also given when we refuse to act on our strong words of condemnation.

The YWCA of Palestine calls on you as our partners to put an end to impunity and hold all parties accountable. You can do this by supporting the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation of Israel’s crimes against humanity including forced transfer of Palestinian citizens, and to support Kairos Palestine’s call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).

Stopping the illegal development of settlements is not just an impediment to peace or the two state solution; it is the bedrock and catalyst for violence and death.