SadaNews Obtains Its Literal Article: Olmert: Israel Supports Ethnic Cleansing in the West Bank

SadaNews - The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz published an article by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday, discussing the official support in the right-wing government for what he described as ethnic cleansing in the West Bank against Palestinians.

SadaNews has obtained the literal and complete article by Olmert in which he referred to the situation in the West Bank.

Here is the text of the article titled: "Police, Army, and Shabak: Partners in the Ethnic Cleansing Being Perpetrated by Jewish Rioters in the Territories":

In the West Bank, there is a violent and criminal attempt at ethnic cleansing. Groups of armed and violent settlers pursue, attack, injure, and even kill Palestinians living there. The acts of rioting include burning olive fields, houses, and cars, storming homes, and physically assaulting the residents. They also attack flocks of sheep, attempting to scatter them and steal them. The rioters, Jewish terrorists, violently assault Palestinians with hatred, with a single goal: to drive them out of their homes. All of this in the hope that the land will then be prepared for Jewish settlement, paving the way for the dream of annexing all the areas.

All of this is happening under the blind eyes of police officers and soldiers. Those who try to defend the rioters claim that it concerns a small minority, a few dozen criminal teenagers who do not represent the public living in the territories, who seemingly oppose acts of violence. But this concerns hundreds of violent young men, who could not be committing these riots unless they were armed with weapons at the initiative and encouragement of the National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. In other words, in the West Bank, militias operate with indirect and direct support from officials in the government of the State of Israel.

The Israeli police are also a source of inspiration for Jewish terrorists. Every day, acts of bullying against Palestinians are committed, and to the surprise of many, the police fail to identify the rioters, prevent their actions before they occur, or arrest any of them after acts of rioting are committed. In many instances, the victims of criminal acts become targets for law enforcement by the police. Palestinians are arrested, not Jewish terrorists. If it were a one-time event or a coincidental failure of the police, justification could be attempted for its shortcomings, but given the current situation, one must admit that it concerns a deliberate policy. The Israeli police effectively and as policy assist in carrying out criminal acts.

There should also be questions regarding the performance of the Shabak concerning the repeated occurrences of terrorist activities committed by Jews. It seems that the Shabak does not utilize the means it effectively applies against "Palestinian terrorism" against Jewish terrorists. It does not work diligently to thwart Jewish terrorism before it occurs, or to identify the rioters and find the leaders of these gangs and arrest them.

The Ministry of Defense has also become a partner in this policy. We recall the statement from the Defense Minister: "There are no longer administrative detention orders against Jews", which was a clear hint to the rioters that the only obstacle that could have deterred them has been removed from their path.

The Israeli army forces in the territories not only do not take steps to prevent acts of rioting, but in many cases, they cooperate with the rioters or are present near the events, watching and doing nothing.

Leaders of the religious public, heads of the settlers' movement, and heads of regional councils in the West Bank provide defensive cover and support, political support, public assistance, and protection for the rioters from those who might take legal actions against them, as required by law, heritage, and Jewish morals. The head of the Benjamin regional council, Yisrael Gantz, is among the most prominent regional council heads. We should not forget his eulogy for Tezala Gaz from the settlement of Broqeen, who was killed brutally by "Palestinian terrorists" while she was on her way to give birth in a hospital (the newborn died days later). Gantz stated: "The only way to prevent such violent attacks is to turn the centers of cities and villages that produce the killers into ruins." The large crowd present fell silent, and no voice of protest against the incitement was heard from any of their prominent leaders.

The leaders represent the stance of a large part of the Jews living in the territories. There is no way to justify or defend this public. Many who represent Jewish terrorists in the media claim that "Hilltop Youth" are a very small category, a minority of troublemakers, most of whom suffer from symptoms of social maladjustment. This is a false claim. The Jewish community living in the occupied territories covers up for the rioters, protects them, and provides them with all practical support they need to hide and protect themselves from those who should reach them to stop them. There is no other explanation for the silence of the Jewish residents of the occupied territories regarding what is happening before their eyes. It might stem from the fact that the rioters operate in a supportive and encouraging environment. Meanwhile, the large Jewish community, numbering in the hundreds of thousands who reside in the occupied territories, refrains from responding because these youths presumably represent their will, aspirations, and hope that they will one day be able to dispose of their Palestinian neighbors and become the sole owners of the land promised to the people of Israel, according to their beliefs.

In a healthy state (Israel has not been a healthy state for years), it would be expected that the police, the public prosecutor, the courts, the government, the Prime Minister, and the President would firmly confront those who incite riots. But it seems that in a state where all rules of public behavior have been violated and the simplest principles of human dignity and tolerance have been crushed, the chance of any of these parties standing firmly to stop the crimes is very slim.

In the absence of a natural response from the state, there is no option but to hope that the international community will respond, taking political measures that compel the government to use the mechanisms it should be using in a democratic state. All this is to stop the crimes against humanity being committed with its sponsorship, protection, support, and endorsement. It may be inevitable to expect that the International Criminal Court in The Hague will be the rightful address for investigation, exposing the responsible parties, and taking measures that will ultimately lead to their arrest and trial.

Arrest warrants issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, claiming they are responsible for crimes against humanity in the war in Gaza, had no basis. It is reasonable to claim that war crimes were also committed in the Gaza Strip. It is now known that there are extraordinary events there that fall into the definition of war crimes, and the state will have to deal with the matters that will be investigated and uncovered. However, I cannot support the repeatedly made claim of a deliberate policy that led to the commission of these crimes. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the issuance of arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant was not based on solid evidence pointing to their direct personal responsibility.

As for what is happening in the occupied territories, the matter is entirely different. Here everything is exposed and clear before all law enforcement officials. Silence and refraining from a firm and appropriate response, cover-up and support, all fall on the shoulders of the government and its leadership.

When there comes an inevitable international response to these crimes, many will argue that this is another expression of anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel. Anti-Semitism exists in the world and manifests itself in many forms in Europe and America and in Australia as well, which requires a firm response, although this does not always translate into appropriate expressions in actions and decisions by world leaders. However, those who take steps against Jewish terrorists and their supporters deserve appreciation and gratitude, and the quicker they do so, the better.