West Bank village of Mughayyir is alone in the face of settler violence

Residents of the occupied West Bank village of al Mughayyir have suffered too much violence. Intimidation, house raids and land theft occur on an almost daily basis by the Israeli occupation army (IOF) and the armed settlers that live in the many illegal outposts that surround the village.

These settlers work with the army — who fully protect and support them. They know there will be absolutely no accountability, no consequences for any of their crimes — so their violence knows no boundaries. Their latest crime occured on the afternoon of 21 April. Gunshots were fired by an illegal settler, who targeted the village’s boy’s school. The incident resulted in the murder of al Mughayyir residents — 13 year old Aws Hamdi al-Naasan and 33 year old Jihad Marzouk Abu Naim.

The IOF were present at the time. But they not only failed to act to prevent the shooting, but also let off hundreds of tears gas canisters towards the villagers, and the school..

Al Mughayyir Village Council has now written a message — on behalf of all the residents of the village — addressed to “the free people of the world”. It has been sent to legal institutions both in the West Bank and abroad, and is an urgent plea for help, before it is too late.