Israel continues defying the world through its illegal use of collective punishment. These measures have been practiced against a nation and are taking many shapes and forms under this 'creative' and oppressive occupation regime, applied by the Israeli military state. Most of the restrictions on Palestinians began after Israel occupied the West Bank in the 1967 war, but they were largely ignored until the Gulf War. In March 1993, the Israeli government established a permanent checkpoint between the rest of the West Bank and Israel and began routinely sealing off the occupied territories.

Collective Punishment started off in the form of military checkpoints, imprisoning the entire Palestinian population and giving rise to people dying or giving birth at checkpoints. There have been 36 cases recorded, in the past two years only, of mothers giving birth at Israeli military checkpoints. Sadly, 23 mothers died while delivering 21 stillbirths. Home demolition, expulsion, military curfews and the recurring shelling of urban neighborhoods suffered by millions of innocent civilians are all examples of collective punishment. Article 33 of the Fourth Convention states: "No protected person may be punished for an offense he or she has not personally committed," and "collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited."

Israel is aware of its history of violating human rights and basic humanitarian law, but under the leadership of Ariel Sharon, a bona fide war criminal, one should expect the worst. "The Palestinians must be hit and it must be painful. We must cause them losses, victims, so they feel the heavy price" Since Sharon made this statement back in March, his government's brutality has only increased, aided by America's blind support for Israel. Many international human rights organizations continue to condemn Israel's policies. "The IDF's conduct raises concern that the main aim of the operation is to collectively punish all Palestinians," Amnesty's delegates declared, stressing that the Israeli army took actions that were not clearly or obviously justified by military necessity and which breached international humanitarian laws.

As Israel is an occupation force it seems impossible that they would be able to avoid violating international humanitarian laws. One can easily argue that occupation is collective punishment, robbing a nation of freedom and self-determination. Nevertheless, these actions do not serve peace, on the contrary, they inflame feelings of hatred, bitterness and racism, promoting more violence and death from both sides of the conflict.