Israel Announces Plans to Hand Over Policing of Settlers to an Israeli Civilian Police Force

In the occupied West Bank, Israel’s military has announced plans to hand over responsibility for policing Israeli settlers to a civilian police force. Palestinian officials condemned the plan as a flagrant violation of international law, calling it another step toward Israeli annexation of the West Bank. This comes as a siege by Israeli settlers on the village of Qusra has entered its second week, with 15 Palestinians, including two children, cut off from food, water and electricity by armed Israeli settlers backed by soldiers. Human rights groups say it’s part of a concerted effort by Israelis to seize even more Palestinian land. This is a video filmed by Aysha Hassan, whose family has been confined to their home for over a week while Israeli soldiers occupy a neighboring building. Aysha Hassan: “We are in our besieged house and have been under siege for the last seven days. The soldiers are stationed on the nearby house of my brother Yousif. They keep screaming and singing all day.” www.democracynow.org