Seven-month-old Palestinian infant killed in West Bank: Systemic violence and occupation under scrutiny
Original framing: “Israeli soldier shoots Palestinian baby dead near Hebron” — Al Jazeera
The killing of Sam Abu Haikal echoes historical patterns of settler-colonial violence, from the British in Ireland to the U.S. in the Americas. These patterns are characterized by the dehumanization of the colonized and the use of force to maintain territorial control.
The killing of Sam Abu Haikal is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a deeply entrenched system of occupation and militarization.
It reflects historical patterns of settler-colonial violence and is exacerbated by the absence of international accountability and the marginalization of Palestinian voices. Indigenous knowledge systems and cross-cultural perspectives reveal the moral and spiritual dimensions of this violence, while scientific research underscores its long-term psychological and social consequences. To move toward justice, a multifaceted approach is needed—one that includes international legal mechanisms, community-based peacebuilding, and restorative justice. Only by addressing the systemic roots of this violence can we hope to prevent future tragedies and build a sustainable peace.