https://arab.news/b23qy
There is a palpable stillness in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Streets that until recently were thronged with tourists and pilgrims are now largely empty, their cobbled alleyways deserted.
But this eerie silence reflects more than just the absence of tourism. Palestinian residents are staying indoors for fear of being shot or arrested. Meanwhile, armed Jewish settlers roam the hills surrounding the cities, asserting their presence with growing confidence.
As tension rises on the ground, political developments are adding fuel to the fire. On July 23, lawmakers in Israel’s Knesset passed a symbolic measure to “apply Israeli sovereignty” to the occupied West Bank.
Supporters said the move “will strengthen the state of Israel, its security, and prevent any questioning of the fundamental right of the Jewish people to peace and security in their homeland.” Two more votes are scheduled, but the effects are already being felt.
