Israel is ‘trying to make Palestine disappear’: The Elders

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that The Elders, a group of prominent public figures, concluded after a visit to the West Bank that Israel is trying to make Palestine “disappear” in physical, economic, cultural and political terms. The remarks were made by Mary Robinson, Ireland’s former president and a leading member of the delegation, in an interview with host Steve Clemons.

According to the article, Robinson said the group was shocked by how conditions had worsened since 2023. She described what she saw as part of a broader pattern involving hate speech, talk of Jewish supremacy and annexation of the West Bank. She also said the Israeli government was allowing settlers and soldiers to act with impunity in ways that affect Palestinian land and daily life.

The discussion centers on the West Bank, where tensions over settlement expansion, land access and political control have long been a major issue. In general background terms, international criticism of Israeli settlement activity and restrictions on Palestinians has been a recurring feature of the conflict, though the article’s focus is on The Elders’ assessment and Robinson’s comments. The piece matters because it adds the voice of a respected international group to ongoing debate over Israel’s policies and the future of Palestinian territory.