Atmosphere of Hate Is Netanyahu's True Legacy

The statistic that since 2000 Israel has, on average, killed a Palestinian child every three days is well-known, but what lies behind that number is a system of privilege and impunity, a system that empowers the worst elements in both societies. It is a culture that allows racist attacks and open incitement against Palestinians. A legal and political culture that privileges Israeli Jews over Muslims and Christians. A culture that privileges Israeli troops regardless of behaviour; a system that has made extortion a tool of politics, making the kidnappers of the three Israeli teenagers believe it was valid to use them as bargaining chips. But such hate is not endemic to Israeli nor Palestinian society. It flourishes in a particular political atmosphere.