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2 Feb, 2012 09:30

Cameras vs fists: Can technology save Palestinians from beatings?

The Israeli government has vowed to end systematic attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, but has done little to curb the violence. Now an Israeli human rights group is using technology to tackle the problem.

Israel is continuing construction of new homes for its settlers in occupied Palestinian territory, despite numerous calls from the UN and many national governments to stop the practice, which contravenes international law. The issue is one of the major stumbling blocks to peace negotiations between the two sides. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to crack down on Jewish extremism in the West Bank, but with his government supporting settlement expansion, his promise means precious little to those on the receiving end of the violence.The reality on the ground is that Palestinians living close to those settlements are facing daily aggression on the part of their Israeli neighbors, while the Israeli security forces turn a blind eye to the attacks.Some Israelis are critical of the policy which allows this to continue.The Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem is doing its part in trying to curb the violence. It has distributed cameras to dozens of Palestinians to capture glimpses of everyday reality in the occupied zone. The goal is to gather evidence and hold Israeli settlers and soldiers attacking Palestinians accountable, reports RT’s Paula Slier.

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