‘Bad Palestinians’ under Israel’s collective punishment
Bani Naim, Hebron - In mid-August, Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's defence minister, announced that Israel's policy towards Palestinians in the occupied West Bank would include "colour-coding" its communities into "good" and "bad".
"We will implement a differential policy," said Lieberman, who belongs to the far-right, nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel our Home) party. "Its purpose is to continue to give benefits to those who desire co-existence with us and make life difficult for those who seek to harm Jews."
Lieberman's colour-coding policy - green for good and red for bad - would include increased punitive measures against communities from where attackers or alleged attackers originate.
His policy includes establishing a direct dialogue with Palestinian figures or "anyone who wants to talk to us", circumventing the mediation of the Palestinian Authority.