We, activists who look the occupation in the eye, consider you responsible for the omissions and crimes committed by the IDF in relation to the Palestinian population in the Jordan Valley region, and we will take all legal measures at our disposal, both in Israel and abroad, to change the situation on the ground and the policies adopted by you through your orders. This was stated in the opening letter of the Occupation group to Colonel Aviv Amir, the commander of the Bekaa Brigade.

Activists looking the occupation in the eye are making a “protective presence” among Palestinian herding communities day and night to prevent groups of settlers from employing diverse methods of intimidation in order to evict Palestinians from their livelihoods in Area C. About two weeks ago, a gang of hillbilly boys raided the school in Marja'at and indiscriminately beat teachers and activists looking the occupation in the eye. Charges were filed against the rioters. Soldiers who were on the site lingered and did not intervene during the course of the pogrom.

This incident and others similar to it are detailed in the letter, which states that under international and Israeli law it is the duty of the brigade commander to apply these rules of law in relation to the Palestinian population. “Unfortunately, the realities on the ground indicate that the forces under your command are acting in violation of these rules,” the letter said.

The letter also claimed that in many cases, “field operatives witnessed close and full cooperation between your subordinates and the settlers. We have a large record of events in which the military forces not only did not prevent attacks on Palestinians, but also joined hands with the marauding settlers and assisted them in their actions