UN: West Bank Violence Could Spiral 'Out of Control'

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The Facts

  • On Friday, UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned that violence in the West Bank "risks spiraling out of control" due to "strident political rhetoric" and Israel's use of "advanced military weaponry," referring to a raid in the Jenin refugee camp earlier this week that killed at least seven Palestinians, including children.

  • Türk said Monday's raid, which also injured 91 Palestinians and seven Israeli soldiers, included the use of airstrikes, claiming that it resembled armed hostilities more than a law enforcement operation.


The Spin

Pro-Palestine narrative

Not only has the Israeli military ramped up its state-sanctioned strikes on the occupied territory, but violent rampages by Israeli settlers have also surged in recent months. To make things worse, PM Benjamin Netanyahu's government this week announced the expansion of 1K more illegal settlement units in the West Bank. Israel has stripped Palestine of any semblance of safety and autonomy.

Pro-Israel narrative

Israel’s raids in the West Bank are meant to stop terrorist plots, and everything possible is done to mitigate harm. In the context of the Jenin operation, Israeli forces acted professionally to apprehend terror suspects in a region of the West Bank that is a hotbed of terrorist activity. The UN has consistently demonstrated its anti-Israel bias and shouldn't be taken seriously.


Metaculus Prediction


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO