CHICAGO, November 19 (Sputnik) — Incitement and collective punishment, issued by the Israeli government, is to blame for the recent surge of Israeli-Palestinian violence, including the yesterday's synagogue attack in Jerusalem, the Media Coordinator at Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) told Sputnik.
"Unfortunately, I do think that the violence will continue to escalate on both sides, particularly as Israel continues its incitement and collective punishment," Naomi Dann told Sputnik Tuesday.
"This morning's incident was tragic and horrifying, as were the recent attacks on Palestinians," Dann added.
Dann believes Palestinians regardless of their location will suffer a future of inequality and violence, if Israel does not boost efforts to create a nation that would strive for equality, freedom and justice for all people. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's goals to enforce Israeli control over all of Israel/Palestine will not bring peace to the area, according to Dann.
The JVP member also said the Israeli government and its supporters only worsen the situation by continuing to issue collective punishment following attacks and restricting mobility in neighborhoods. For example, residents of the neighborhoods Abu Dis, Issawiya, and Silwan must face collective punishment as homes and schools are covered in skunk water, making them unbearable to enter.
"We believe that it will take pressure from the international community to end the underlying system of occupation and oppression that is at the root of the recent escalation of violence," Dann concluded.
Five Jews were murdered in a Jerusalem synagogue during prayer by two Palestinians armed with a meat cleaver and a gun on Tuesday morning. The murderers were shot dead by police on the scene.
The incident follows the alleged lynching of a Palestinian bus driver on Sunday in addition to the torching of a mosque and holy Qur'ans in the West Bank village of Al Mughayir by Jews last week.
Violence in Jerusalem can be traced back to July when a Palestinian teenager was burned to death by Jewish individuals. Palestinians allegedly retaliated by kidnapping and killing three Jewish teenagers in the occupied West Bank. Conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the ongoing debate over access to a religiously significant Jerusalem compound are also factors in the surge of the violence.
