The arson of a mosque in the occupied West Bank fuels tensions. The Palestinian Authority points the finger at Israeli settlers, while the police have opened an investigation. An act that…
A shocking incident occurred last Friday in the occupied West Bank, territory under Israeli control since 1967. According to the Palestinian authorities, a group of Israeli settlers deliberately set fire to a mosque in the village of Marda, located north of the city of Salfit. This alleged act of vandalism immediately aroused indignation and risks further fueling community tensions in the region.
Mosque targeted by arson
According to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, which strongly condemned the incident, racist anti-Arab slogans such as “Death to the Arabs” were sprayed on the walls of the religious building, in addition to the damage caused by the flames. Fortunately, the fire was brought under control before it spread to the entire mosque.
Local authorities say the village of Marda had already been targeted in the past during settler intrusions, often under the protection of the Israeli army. Similar acts of vandalism had also been committed in the surrounding area. For the Palestinian government, there is no doubt that this “blatant act of racism” is the direct consequence of hostile campaigns carried out by far-right elements within the Israeli government.
Israeli police open investigation
Faced with the seriousness of the facts, the Israeli police and the internal intelligence services (Shin Bet) announced the opening of an investigation, ensuring that the culprits would be severely punished. However, in a context of heightened tensions since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, the task promises to be arduous.
The escalation of violence in the West Bank
The West Bank has become one of the main theaters of the Israeli-Palestinian confrontation. According to official Palestinian sources, at least 803 Palestinians have been killed there by Israeli soldiers or settlers since the start of the conflict. On the other hand, 24 Israelis, civilians and soldiers, have lost their lives in Palestinian attacks or during raids by the Israeli army on the occupied territory.
The fire at the Marda mosque is unfortunately just another episode in the spiral of violence that seems to be taking hold for the long term. Each act of provocation or retaliation only fuels hatred and makes a peaceful resolution of the conflict a little more unlikely.
An uncertain future for peace
Despite repeated appeals from the international community, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process seems more stalemated than ever. Israeli colonization, illegal under international law, continues in the West Bank, while Palestinian armed groups increase rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
In this context, incidents like that of the Marda mosque only add fuel to the fire and further remove the prospect of peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. It is urgent that the leaders of both camps, with the support of international mediators, return to the path of dialogue to prevent the situation from degenerating further.
A challenge for the new Israeli coalition
The arson attack on the mosque comes as a new government coalition, considered more right-wing than the previous one, has taken the reins of power in Israel. Some observers fear that the presence of parties openly hostile to the Palestinians could foster a climate conducive to acts of hatred and provocation.
The Israeli Prime Minister will have to show firmness to contain the most radical elements of his coalition and avoid an uncontrollable escalation. The security and stability of the entire region are at stake, but also the credibility of Israel on the international scene.
For their part, Palestinian leaders will also have to take their responsibilities and do everything possible to prevent rocket fire and attacks against Israeli civilians. Only reciprocal and concerted de-escalation can create the conditions for a resumption of dialogue and a relaunch of the peace process.
In the meantime, an entire region is holding its breath, suspended from the actions of the most radical elements of both camps. The fire at the Marda mosque is a new alarming signal which should push the international community to redouble its efforts to promote appeasement and a return to the negotiating table. Each day that passes makes this task a little more difficult, but the future of millions of people, Israelis and Palestinians alike, is at stake.
