While Israel has verbally condemned the recent actions of settlers, the government refuses to reign them in, preferring to use the settlers as a distraction from and excuse for the violence perpetrated by the state itself

We cannot let the state put the responsibility for violence against Palestinians just on the settlers' shoulders; the Israeli government and its institutions encourage and aid settler violence and perpetrate actual and structural violence upon the Palestinians, as well. (photo of Israeli army watchtower in Hebron: flickr/Beautiful Faces of Palestine)

The scam was a success. The political storm which followed the [recent] actions of the "price tag hooligans" has reached countries outside of Israel, presenting the government as fighting extremists who strike against Palestinians and even against the [Israeli army].  Only Lieberman's Foreign Ministry has managed, again, to jeopardize Israel's relations with European countries, when describing them as "irrelevant", for not buying the scam.

A comparison between the [Israeli army] and the "price tag hooligans" confirms that the [Israeli army], which is subordinate to the Israeli government, inflicts much more severe damage and on a regular basis:  Land robbery (over 50% of the land in the West Bank are in the hands of the Israelis), destruction of houses (over 26,000 since 1967), deportation, establishment of settlements on confiscated lands, water rights violations, uprooting of orchards and destruction of cultivated fields, prevention of the return of Palestinians who resided overseas for long periods of time and the prevention of family reunification of Palestinians with their spouses – this are only a partial list of the everyday occurrences and damages inflicted on the Palestinians in the occupied territories. 

All these acts and occurrences have nothing to do with the safety of the Israeli people.  These actions are done within the framework of the expansion frame work of Israeli governments since the occupation in 1967. Even if only a small percentage of traumatized Palestinians, which trauma is a result of [Israeli army] actions in the occupied territories, will decide to avenge their comrades, a small army of terrorists will arise to strike at the Israeli population.

Here begins the [role] of the [Israeli army]:  Palestinian "riots" must be subdued and the Israeli population "protected." In the name of national security land is confiscated and fruit trees are uprooted, the separation fence is built inside Palestinian territory and not on the Green Line.  Soldiers conduct night searches in villages causing destruction and traumatizing children and their families... [During] these night searches not only terrorists are hunted but also non violent popular activists.  Those activists adopt a struggle which poses no threat to the security of Israel's population. It does, however, pose a threat to the continuing occupation and its crimes.

What is the difference between the [Israeli army] and the "price tag hooligans"? The [Israeli army] has been active throughout the years to transfer the occupied territories to Israel so they will become part of it.  These actions actually remove Palestinians from the remaining land that is still theirs. These actions are slow and calculated in order not to anger our overseas supporters. after all, our existence depends on their good will. Contrary to this practice, the "price tag hooligans" would like it to happen immediately, not understanding that Israel cannot allow itself to lose the support of the West, since those countries have policies against occupation, racism and the violation of human rights. The debate is not about removing or transferring the Palestinians from their lands but the pace of process.

It can be observed that all the effort of peace making has not slowed down the removal of Palestinians from their lands. Abu Mazen has understood that and today demands a true peace process which will prevent it. To this demand, the Israeli government does not agree. And so, as the Arab League suggests a peace treaty, including an end of occupation and a reasonable solution to the refugee issue, Israel refuses--[proving that] the occupation is more important than securing our existence.