UK MPs take virtual reality tour showing horrifying Israeli settler violence against Palestinians

UK MPs take virtual reality tour showing horrifying Israeli settler violence against Palestinians
Israeli settler movement, long given a free reign to wreak havoc in the occupied West Bank, has been further galvanised by the recent election of the most right-wing governing coalition in Israeli history.
2 min read
08 December, 2022
Emboldened by the new government, settler violence in the West Bank looks set to rise [Getty images]

UK members of parliament were given a virtual reality tour of the occupied Palestinian territories, showing shocking and widespread Israeli settler violence on Wednesday, an initiative launched by human rights group ’T

Viewers saw Israeli settlers swearing at Palestinian farmers, blocking access to their land, stealing crops, arson, and sometimes even severe assault and live fire against Palestinian civilians. 

The footage was collected by activists over the past few years and compiled by VR specialists at B'Tselem

"We had the opportunity to show members of the British Parliament our virtual reality installation on settler violence," said the NGO.

"Settler violence is not a private initiative; it is another tool, albeit less formal, that Israel uses to expel Palestinians from their land. This violence is part and parcel of Israel's apartheid regime."

Several Labour MPs took part in the tour, while their leader Keir Starmer - who has previously called Israel "a beacon of democracy" - was notably absent. 

The Labour leadership has denounced activism that favours boycott actions against Israel, including those that target settlement activity. 

"I was shocked by the virtual reality footage of Israeli settler attacks filmed by Palestinian human rights defenders and presented to us today in Parliament," tweeted Bradford West MP Naz Shah.

Wayne David MP said he “saw a terrible example of settler violence against Palestinians.”

"All too often, the perpetrators enjoy almost full immunity," said the Welsh MP after using the VR exhibit. 

The settler movement, long given a free rein by successive Israeli governments, has been further galvanised by the recent election of the most right-wing governing coalition in Israeli history.

With extremist settler campaigner Itamar Ben-Gvir taking up his position as national security minister, violence enacted by settlers on Palestinians and their land looks only to increase.