Christmas day in the occupied West Bank unfolded with heightened tensions as an attack on the Jenin refugee camp and numerous arrests marked the latest chapter in the ongoing conflict. The raids, which occurred across various regions, including Bethlehem, have intensified concerns about the increasing violence in the West Bank. Amidst these disturbing events, revelations about an Israeli crowdfunding platform, IsraelGives, facilitating US residents in donating millions of dollars to causes linked to illegal West Bank settlements, paramilitary groups, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), have added another layer of complexity to the situation.
The Jenin refugee camp, a symbol of Palestinian resistance to occupation, faced another Israeli raid on Christmas morning. The Israeli army targeted at least 10 houses in what they claimed was a search for Palestinians to arrest. Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan reported from Jenin that while no detentions were made, the residents viewed the raids as a campaign of harassment. The Freedom Theatre, a symbol of peace and hope in Jenin recently raided by Israeli soldiers, described the Israeli forces lighting up the sky with flare bombs during the attack.
The raids were not confined to Jenin; they extended to regions near Nablus, Jericho, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. In the village of Burqa, northwest of Nablus, at least 20 people, including senior citizens, were arrested. Alarming reports indicated a 17-year-old boy was shot in the neck during a raid in the town of Aqaba, north of Tubas.
The West Bank has witnessed a surge in violence parallel to Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of over 20,000 Palestinians. Despite Israel’s focus on Hamas in Gaza, the violence in the West Bank continues, claiming the lives of at least 303 Palestinians since October 7. Israeli settlers’ attacks have also increased, with at least 700,000 settlers living in illegal, fortified, Jewish-only settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Countries like Belgium and the United States have expressed concerns, imposing visa restrictions on “extremist” Israeli settlers undermining peace in the occupied West Bank. The United Nations noted that in nearly half of all settler violence incidents, Israeli forces were either accompanying or actively supporting the attackers. Despite criticism, Israel’s government has allocated $21 million to support new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Controversial Crowdfunding: IsraelGives:
Amidst these escalating tensions, the revelation of IsraelGives, an Israeli crowdfunding platform, has sparked controversy. The platform, founded in 2009, allows US residents to donate to causes associated with illegal West Bank settlements, paramilitary groups, and the IDF. Legal experts suggest that some of these campaigns may violate US tax laws, but enforcement is rare.
Over 200 campaigns initiated after October 7 sought donations for tactical equipment and logistical support for the IDF and paramilitary units associated with West Bank settlements. Settlements such as Efrat, Tene, Shavei Shomron, and Ma’on have been the focus of these controversial campaigns.
IsraelGives maintains its neutrality, claiming to facilitate giving to any of Israel’s registered non-profit organizations. The CEO, Jonathan Ben-Dor, emphasized compliance with US law, including a thorough vetting and approval process before funds are released. However, concerns about exposing international donors to legal liability persist, raising questions about the ethical and legal implications for both crowdfunding platforms and donors.
As tensions continue to escalate in the occupied West Bank, the intertwined issues of violence, settlements, and controversial crowdfunding underscore the complex dynamics of the region. The international community faces the challenge of enforcing laws and regulations to prevent the support of activities that contribute to the ongoing strife. The situation calls for careful examination and consideration of the responsibilities and legal implications for all parties involved.
