Gideon Levy: Washington's 'concern' over settler terrorism is a cover for diplomacy and complicity in crime

Israeli writer Gideon Levy considered the recent statements by US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, regarding 'concern' over the escalation of settler violence in the West Bank, to be nothing more than a boring repetition of old diplomatic rhetoric. Levy explained in an article for Haaretz that this American approach merely condemns verbally while Washington continues to supply Israel with the weapons and money necessary for its policies to continue.

Levy refuted Rubio's claims that the Israeli government shares Washington's concern, emphasizing that reality proves the exact opposite. The current government does not view settler attacks as lawlessness, but rather considers them an effective strategic tool that serves its political goals of imposing facts on the ground and expanding Israeli control.

The writer pointed out that the issue in the West Bank is not about extremist groups running wild, but rather a systematic policy that enjoys widespread security and military encouragement. Levy believes that the ultimate goal of this violence is to exert continuous pressure on Palestinians to force them into involuntary displacement from their lands and homes.

In the context of demonstrating military complicity, Levy drew attention to the role played by the Israeli army in providing cover and protection for settlers during their attacks. He cited international media reports that showed soldiers harassing foreign journalists and preventing them from covering events, while some of these soldiers chanted ideological slogans claiming absolute Jewish ownership of the West Bank.

Levy criticized the absence of accountability within the military establishment, noting that the commander of the Central Command, Avi Bluth, has not taken any legal action or brought soldiers to military trial despite documented repeated attacks. This military silence reflects, according to the article, a general climate of complicity that extends from the lowest soldier to the highest political echelons in Israel.

The writer described the US administration's talk of a 'concerned Israeli government' as reflecting either a deep ignorance of the nature of the current political structure in Tel Aviv, or a conscious attempt at diplomatic cover-up. In both cases, Levy believes that this stance contributes to prolonging Palestinian suffering and grants attackers undeclared immunity.

Levy stressed that settler violence is not random chaos, but a clear-cut means of uprooting the Palestinian presence from areas classified as 'C'. He held the United States directly responsible for these outcomes, considering that its failure to use its real influence and effective pressure tools makes it an actual partner in these crimes.

The article affirmed that Washington possesses all the necessary tools to curb this path immediately if it had the political will, by imposing serious economic and political sanctions. However, the continuation of the 'empty words' policy proves that the US administration prefers to maintain the status quo at the expense of human rights and justice.

Gideon Levy concluded that American 'concern' itself has become part of the problem rather than a path to a solution, because it gives the world a false impression of action while the reality on the ground continues to worsen. He concluded by emphasizing that Palestinians alone pay the price for this international complicity with their blood, their lands, and the future of their children.

American concern does not stop settler violence as long as it is without sanctions and real pressure; rather, it is part of the problem, not a prelude to its solution.