Settlers move into Palestinian homes near Jericho, as residents reportedly flee

Haaretz calls the settlement council behind the takeover of Palestinian homes near Jericho only "a West Bank municipality". It ends on that council's claim that the settlers are entitled to the homes, with nothing against it, though the ICJ has ruled the settlements illegal and the army called the entry unauthorised. It leaves out the Palestinian accounts of settler gunfire, the IOF escort and the IOF barring residents from returning, so a reader believes the residents simply fled.

1. Leaves out who was behind it

   Serious

   “a West Bank municipality”

   Why this matters

   Haaretz names the body backing the takeover only as "a West Bank municipality", a neutral local authority.

   The impression it gives

   An ordinary local council has given a technical ruling on land ownership, separate from the settlers.

   The context

   The body is the Benyamin Regional Council, a state-funded settlement authority. It says it ran the secret purchase jointly with the Nachala settlement organisation, and its head called the step part of efforts to dismantle the Oslo Accords. The article names neither the council nor Nachala.

   How we know

   • Times of Israel reported“with the cooperation of the Benyamin Regional Council, a state-funded settlement municipal authority”Settlers establish outpost inside Palestinian city of Jericho, on border of PA-run area (opens in a new tab)
   • Times of Israel reported“The Nachala settlement organization and the Benyamin regional council say they jointly coordinated the project to buy the properties in secret”Settlers establish outpost inside Palestinian city of Jericho, on border of PA-run area (opens in a new tab)

   Show it in the article

   Written straight

   Israeli settlers on Wednesday took over several Palestinian homes near Jericho in a project the Benyamin Regional Council, a state-funded settlement authority, says it organised in secret with the Nachala settlement organisation.

2. Gives a contested claim the last word

   Serious

   “the land was state-owned and they are therefore entitled to them”

   Why this matters

   Haaretz ends its only reporting sentence on the settlement council's claim that the settlers are entitled to the homes. Nothing in the article answers it.

   The impression it gives

   The settlers' right to the homes is settled, and the takeover is lawful.

   The context

   The International Court of Justice has found Israel's settlements in the West Bank illegal and its occupation unlawful. The article never uses the words occupied or illegal. Peace Now said the move will create apartheid inside Jericho and called for the settlers' removal. The army itself said the entry was unauthorised.

   How we know

   • On the recordThe International Court of Justice's July 2024 advisory opinion found Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal under international law.icj-cij.org (opens in a new tab)
   • On the recordThe International Court of Justice's July 2024 advisory opinion found Israel's occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem unlawful.icj-cij.org (opens in a new tab)
   • Times of Israel reported“describes the development as “a security danger and diplomatic catastrophe” and says it will create “apartheid” inside Jericho”Settlers establish outpost inside Palestinian city of Jericho, on border of PA-run area (opens in a new tab)
   • Ynet News (English) reported“The entry into the homes was carried out without prior coordination with the IDF and without authorization.”IDF caught off guard as Jewish families move into 8 West Bank homes near Jericho without approval (opens in a new tab)

   Show it in the article

   Written straight

   A settlement council claimed the land was state-owned and the settlers entitled to it. The International Court of Justice has ruled Israel's settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal, and Peace Now called for the settlers to be removed.

3. Leaves out what changes the picture

   Serious

   What is missing

   Haaretz says residents "reportedly flee" but leaves out that Palestinians said the settlers opened fire as they entered, that a Palestinian suffered a head injury, that Israeli occupation forces escorted the settler families, and that the IOF has not let Palestinian residents return to dozens of homes and their farmland. Without this a reader believes the residents left of their own accord out of fear, when residents describe being shot at and kept out by soldiers.

   How we know

   • Times of Israel reported“According to the Palestinians, the settlers also opened fire as they entered.”Settlers establish outpost inside Palestinian city of Jericho, on border of PA-run area (opens in a new tab)
   • Times of Israel reported“the IDF has not allowed Palestinian residents to return to dozens of homes in the area or to the surrounding agricultural land”Settlers establish outpost inside Palestinian city of Jericho, on border of PA-run area (opens in a new tab)
   • Times of Israel reported“while IDF forces escorted the families to their new homes today”Settlers establish outpost inside Palestinian city of Jericho, on border of PA-run area (opens in a new tab)

   Show where it belongs