美国国家公共电台 NPR--Concern has risen in the West Bank as violence escalates in recent days

Concern has risen in the West Bank as violence escalates¹ in recent days

Transcript²

An already violent year in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has escalated³ in the last few days and could intensify⁴ as Israel puts together what could be its most right-wing governing coalition⁵ ever.

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

An already violent year in the Israeli-occupied West Bank is getting worse. In the last few days, Israeli troops have killed several Palestinians, including a teenager. On the ground, officials are concerned about what comes next. A new Israeli government is taking office, and it's set to be the most right-wing coalition Israel has ever seen, with ultranationalists who want harsher treatment of Palestinians. NPR's Daniel Estrin joins us now from Tel Aviv. Daniel, thanks for being here. Can you just start off by giving us more details about the events of the last few days?

DANIEL ESTRIN, BYLINE⁶: Well, let me tell you just about yesterday alone, Rachel. Israel says its forces were on an arrest raid. Palestinian gunmen opened fire on the soldiers, and Israeli troops killed three men. At least one may have been a militant⁷. One reportedly was a man in his 40s on his way to work. And then somewhere else later on, Israel says soldiers opened fire at Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli cars, and Palestinian officials say a teenager was killed. And that is just one day alone, Rachel. We have seen similar incidents every few days or so. This year, Israeli troops have killed more than 140 Palestinians in the West Bank. That's the highest number in a single year in about a decade and a half. And remember, more than 30 Israelis also have been killed.

MARTIN: Why? I mean, why is this year so bad?

ESTRIN: Well, it all started - Israel's crackdown on the West Bank was launched after some deadly attacks on Israelis earlier this year. This has been going on for months. Israel has been going after Palestinian militants⁸, confiscating⁹ guns in the occupied West Bank. And Palestinians have been organizing themselves more and more, taking up arms, actually shooting at Israeli troops during these raids. Then there's something else. We've been seeing some Israeli settlers, civilians¹⁰, actually going out and, by themselves, attacking Palestinians and their property. Now, both sides here are blaming each other. Palestinian officials say to Israel, well, if you and your army don't raid our cities, then these deaths won't happen. And Israeli officials are saying, well, if you Palestinians take action against militants, we wouldn't need to carry out this crackdown. This is a vicious circle of violence, and there really is no sign of it ending.

MARTIN: Because, as we noted¹¹ in the intro, Benjamin Netanyahu is returning to office as prime minister, has promised even a tougher line on Palestinians. Explain what's likely to change.

ESTRIN: Well, Netanyahu is still putting together his government, but he is set to be leading with the most far-right ultranationalist politicians on the main - on the Israeli scene. They are known for their hostility¹² toward Palestinians. They want tougher policing of Palestinians. We hear some saying things like, well, if Palestinians throw rocks, they should be shot. This includes an incoming national security minister who has - who was convicted in Israel for supporting an anti-Arab group that is considered a terrorist group here. It includes far-right politicians in key positions who want to expand infrastructure¹³ for Israeli settlements. The U.S. is concerned about all of this rising West Bank violence, and there's a debate among officials in Washington over what actions to take with this new government.

MARTIN: NPR's Daniel Estrin reporting from Tel Aviv. Thanks, Daniel.

ESTRIN: Thank you, Rachel.

1 escalates   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的第三人称单数 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• As the challenge escalates, the need for teamwork elevates. 面临的挑战越大，越需要团队协同合作。 来自互联网
• I cannot understand why a minor disagreement escalates into a fist-fight. 我真不明白为什么一点意见不合就变成了拳头相见。 来自互联网

2 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

3 escalated   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• The fighting escalated into a full-scale war. 这场交战逐步扩大为全面战争。
• The demonstration escalated into a pitched battle with the police. 示威逐步升级，演变成了一场同警察的混战。

4 intensify   

vt.加强；变强；加剧

参考例句：

• We must intensify our educational work among our own troops.我们必须加强自己部队的教育工作。
• They were ordered to intensify their patrols to protect our air space.他们奉命加强巡逻，保卫我国的领空。

5 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

6 byline   

n.署名；v.署名

参考例句：

• His byline was absent as well.他的署名也不见了。
• We wish to thank the author of this article which carries no byline.我们要感谢这篇文章的那位没有署名的作者。

7 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

8 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

9 confiscating   

没收（confiscate的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• There was Mame by my side confiscating my intellects and attention. 有玛米坐在我身边，害得我心不在焉。
• Intimidate book sellers by confiscating books deemed unfavourable to the Barisan government. 充公被视为对国阵不利的书籍，威胁书商。

10 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

11 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

12 hostility   

n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争

参考例句：

• There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
• His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。

13 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。