The Israeli genocide in Gaza may spark a Palestinian uprising in the West Bank: interview with Jafar M. Ramini

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

The carnage and devastation in Gaza is ongoing, but as the world looks at the western most land in Palestine, there are ongoing battles to the east in the Occupied Territory of the West Bank.

Tensions flared all of the summer of 2023 in the West Bank, and once the Israeli attacks began in Gaza, the Palestinians of the West Bank were also targeted by Israel and made to suffer because of the Hamas resistance operation in Israel on October 7, even though they are not connected by land.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have made daily and nightly raids into civilian homes and refugee camps in the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinians have been arrested indiscriminately, and both male and females have been singled out for prison in Israel, where the prisoner and their family are never informed of any charges, and have no legal representation.

Homes and shops have been bulldozed based on suspicions. The Israeli settlers, who are mainly US citizens living illegally on land recognized by the US and UN as land to be part of a future state of Palestine, have armed themselves with automatic rifles and pistols and have taking up ‘hunting’ Palestinians, who they consider to be ‘non-human’.
Despite the Jewish religious law prohibiting the destruction of any tree which bear produce, these mainly American Jewish fanatics have uprooted and burned thousands of olive trees, which are vital to Palestinians, and of historical significance.

The US government usually turns a blind eye to settler crimes, including murder, arson and maiming; however, the US President Biden has enacted sanctions on some Israeli settlers.
There is growing alarm at the prospect of a West Bank uprising, in support of their fellow Palestinians of Gaza, and because their own suffering under a brutal and long standing military occupation is no longer sustainable. The occupation must end, and we are hearing that demand from Washington, London and across the world.

Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse has interviewed Jafar M. Ramini in an effort to shed light on the situation in Palestine: the issues and ramifications.

1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): US president Biden has announced plans to build a port in Gaza to receive humanitarian aid, which will be shipped from Cyprus. In your opinion, wouldn’t it be faster and cheaper to open the gate at Rafah and allow the trucks to come in?

Jafar M. Ramini (JMR): Definitely. Every UN aid organization, or NGO operating in the area declared this move to be costly, time-consuming, and ineffective. There are thousands of trucks waiting at the Rafah Crossing and they must be allowed in immediately, unfettered.

2. SS: Hamas, Egypt and Qatar have been meeting in Cairo, to draft a proposal for a permanent ceasefire, and a hostage-prisoner swap. Biden has presented a proposal for a temporary six-week ceasefire and hostage release. In your opinion are the two proposals so far a part that it can’t be achieved?

JMR: Definitely. Without a permanent ceasefire and total withdrawal of Israeli Occupation Forces from Gaza there will never be meaningful peace. Furthermore, when did Israel ever honor an agreement it concluded with the Palestinians? Never.

3. SS: Polls have shown that most Israelis are against helping the Palestinians, but they are also mostly against Benjamin Netanyahu. In your opinion, will the Israeli public be successful in removing Netanyahu from office?

JMR: The Israeli public might be able to remove Netanyahu and his fascist, right-wing government from office, but this has nothing to do with what is going on in Gaza. Most Israelis are in favor of continuing the war on GAZA and preventing any aid from reaching GAZA.

4. SS: The genocide in Gaza Is ongoing with the IDF attacking, killing, and arresting Palestinians across the West Bank and Jerusalem. In your opinion, will the upcoming Holy month of Ramadan see an uprising in the West Bank?

JMR: We have to be careful here what we wish for. Yes, an uprising in the West Bank is a necessary step to take some pressure off our brothers and sisters in GAZA and stop the daily incursion of the Israeli Occupation Forces in the West Bank. But, will the security forces of the Palestinian Authority back them? Or stab them in the back? That is the question.

5. SS: Last month, the International Court of Justice held hearings on whether Israel Is illegally occupying Palestine. In your point of view, when the court’s opinion is released in the summer, will the international community take action?

JMR: The United Nations, The International Court of Justice, the ICC, and any other world forum are rendered impotent when it comes to holding Israel accountable. Having said that, if the International Court of Justice finds that Israel is illegally occupying Palestine, who will implement it? In 2004, the same court issued an opinion that the separation wall was illegal. That made no difference. The separation walls, since 2004, has expanded and is still standing. Without the Security Council removing their veto powers from the five permanent members no just solution will be found. Note the use of the veto by the USA in favor of Israel in the Security Council five times in the last five months. Their reason for using the veto? They are not happy with the language.

Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist