Taylor Scott
The question of whether Jews are allowed in the West Bank is a highly contentious issue, with political, historical, and religious implications. The West Bank, a territory with a rich Jewish history and many holy sites, has been occupied by Israel since its victory in the 1967 Six-Day War. In the decades since, Israel has established numerous Jewish settlements, with around 700,000 Israeli Jews now living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This has led to a complex situation where the presence and continued expansion of Jewish settlements are considered by some as an example of settler colonialism and a violation of international law, while others argue that barring Jews from living in the West Bank would be no less objectionable than preventing them from residing in major cities worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Jews in the West Bank | 700,000 |
| Religious ideology as a motivation to live in the West Bank | 33% |
| Number of Recognized Settlements | 127 |
| Number of Settlements with Religious Motivation | 64 |
| Number of Settlements with High Quality of Life Motivation | 63 |
| Number of Settlements with Registered Arab Residents | 33 |
| Number of Settlements in 1967 | 32 |
| Number of Settlements in 2013 | 90 |
| Number of Palestinians in Settlements in 2011 | 64,451 |
| Number of Palestinian Communities in 2011 | 29 |
| Number of Palestinian Communities that Received Israeli Building Approval in 2015 | 3 |
| Number of People Displaced by Israel in 2015 | 2,450 |
| Number of Trees Uprooted by Israel in 2015 | 13,000 |
| Number of Assaults on Palestinians and their Property in 2015 | 898 |
| Number of Jewish Israelis Barred from Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
The legality of Jewish settlements in the West Bank
Israel's stance on the legality of these settlements is that they are not illegal. They argue that the West Bank and Gaza are "disputed territories", and that the Geneva Conventions do not apply because these lands did not form part of another state's sovereign territory. Israel also claims that the transfer of Jews into the West Bank is a voluntary movement by Israeli Jews, not a government act. In 2002, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that the settlements were developed consistently with international law and did not violate any agreements with the Palestinians or Jordan. In 2009, members of Netanyahu's cabinet stated that the settlements are legal and cannot be evacuated without due process.
However, this viewpoint is contested by many. In 2013, a United Nations Human Rights Council report declared that Jewish settlements violated the Geneva Conventions and international law. The report stated that if Palestine ratified the Rome Accord, Israel could be tried for "gross violations of human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law." The EU has also criticised Israel, stating that it has created an "atmosphere of impunity" for Jewish attackers, implying tacit approval of violence. Amnesty International and B'Tselem have also criticised Israel's settlement policy, arguing that it is discriminatory and violates Palestinian human rights and freedom of movement.
The issue of the legality of Jewish settlements in the West Bank remains unresolved, with strong arguments and criticisms on both sides. While Israel maintains that the settlements are legal and necessary for security, others argue that they violate international law and infringe upon Palestinian rights.
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Religious ideology as a motivation for settlement
The West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria, has been a site of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians for decades. The region has significant religious importance for both Jews and Muslims, and both groups have historical ties to the land.
Jewish settlements in the West Bank are towns and villages established by Jews in territories acquired by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. These settlements are not under Israeli sovereignty, and the international community largely considers them illegal. However, the Israeli government has encouraged and supported the establishment of these settlements for various reasons, including security and ideological concerns.
Religious ideology has been a significant motivator for Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Religious Zionists believe that settling the entire Land of Israel is a religious imperative and a commandment of God. This ideology, known as Messianic Religious Zionism or simply Religious Zionism, combines religious conservatism with secular nationalism, viewing patriotism as a core principle. Proponents of this ideology see the land as sacred and believe that settling it is necessary for the coming of the messianic age.
The victory in the Six-Day War and the capture of the West Bank were seen by Religious Zionists as acts of God, indicating that the historic Land of Israel should be restored to the Jewish people. This belief led to the establishment of the Gush Emunim ("the bloc of the faithful") movement, which became the umbrella organization for many West Bank settlers. The settlement of Kiryat Arba, established near Hebron in 1972, is an example of a settlement motivated by this ideology.
The Israeli government has also provided financial incentives for Jews to move to parts of the West Bank, solidifying Israel's hold on territory considered part of biblical and historical Israel. These actions were often driven by right-wing governments, such as the Likud government of 1977-1984, which aimed to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
It is important to note that while religious ideology is a significant motivator for some settlers, other factors also play a role. Some Jews are drawn to the West Bank due to the potential for an improved quality of life, and the region also holds millennia of Jewish history and contains many of Judaism's holiest sites.
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The impact of settlements on Palestinian communities
The establishment of settlements in the West Bank began immediately after the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel captured the area. The settlements are Israeli civilian communities, overwhelmingly inhabited by Jews, in territories not under Israeli sovereignty. The initial security rationale was to establish the Jordan River as Israel's eastern border and to encircle and separate the large Palestinian population in the central mountain range, disrupting their demographic contiguity.
Over time, religious ideology became a significant driver of the settlement movement, with the belief that it is a religious imperative for Jews to settle the entire Land of Israel. Settlements were established in regions with a large Palestinian population to secure Jewish dominance, prevent a Palestinian state, and solidify Israel's control over the West Bank. This has resulted in the isolation and containment of Palestinian communities, with settlements running along the Jordan River and the 1948 armistice line, separating West Bank Palestinians from Jordan and Israel.
The expansion of settlements has led to the appropriation of Palestinian land, water, and minerals, with Israeli and international businesses contributing to a thriving settlement economy. The settlement enterprise has diverted resources from Israel's military preparations and created budgetary impacts, with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on infrastructure and incentives. The establishment of settlements and the resulting displacement of Palestinians have also caused severe environmental consequences, with the destruction of natural habitats and the disruption of ecological systems.
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The role of the Israeli government in encouraging settlements
The Israeli government has played a significant role in encouraging settlements in the West Bank, a territory it occupied after the 1967 Six-Day War. The Israeli presence in the West Bank has been marked by a series of policies and actions that have facilitated the establishment and expansion of Jewish settlements.
Initially, the Labor-led government under Yitzhak Rabin justified the establishment of Jewish settlements in the West Bank on security grounds. This approach was in line with the Allon Plan, which sought to establish the Jordan River as Israel's eastern security border, encircle Palestinian population centres, and widen the approach to Jerusalem. Security considerations were also central to the Sharon Plan, which expanded the areas open for Jewish settlement to include a strip adjacent to the Green Line.
However, the motivations for encouraging settlements extended beyond security. The Israeli government sought to solidify its control over the West Bank by placing Israeli civilians in certain areas, ensuring the territory's political future aligned with Israel's perceived security needs. This strategy was reflected in the Drobles Plan, which envisioned blocs of settlements throughout the West Bank to disrupt Palestinian demographic contiguity and entrench Israel's presence.
The expansion of settlements was facilitated through various means, including the expropriation and seizure of land, often under the guise of military necessity. This process involved the transfer of land control from Palestinians to Israeli settlers, with the Israeli government, settlers, and Palestinians all perceiving these methods as serving the single purpose of establishing civilian settlements.
The Israeli government also incentivized its citizens to move to the settlements, offering the promise of improved quality of life and accommodating "natural growth". As a result, the settler population grew significantly, with over 450,000 Israeli settlers residing in the West Bank as of 2023, excluding East Jerusalem.
The establishment of settlements in the West Bank has been a highly contentious issue. Critics argue that it violates international humanitarian law and infringes upon international human rights law by displacing the local Palestinian population. Additionally, the settlements create security concerns for Israel, requiring the deployment of forces to protect Jews living outside its boundaries. Despite these concerns and calls for a cessation of settlement construction, the Israeli government has continued to encourage and support the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
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The security implications of Jewish settlements in the region
The Jewish settlements in the West Bank have significant security implications for the region. The Israeli government's decision to establish and expand Jewish communities in the West Bank, a disputed territory, has been driven by security concerns and has resulted in several security challenges.
Initially, the Israeli government's priority in allowing Jewish settlements in the West Bank was to solidify its control over the territory and ensure that the political future of the region aligned with Israel's security needs. The settlements served as a strategic buffer and a civilian settler population acted as a first line of defense against potential invasions. The placement of settlements in certain regions aimed to establish the Jordan River as Israel's eastern security border and to encircle the large Palestinian population in the West Bank's center, changing the demographic makeup of the area.
However, the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank has also led to increased security concerns and tensions in the region. The presence of settlements and Jewish-only roads has fragmented Palestinian territories, hindering the economic development and freedom of movement for Palestinians. This fragmentation and the continued expansion of settlements have been cited as sources of tension and conflict, with Palestinian communities experiencing displacement and home demolitions. The settlement policy has been described by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as a "breach of international law" and a violation of Palestinians' right to self-determination.
The settlements have also created security challenges for Israel itself. The protection of Jewish communities outside Israel's boundaries requires the deployment of security forces and the diversion of resources, potentially impacting Israel's ability to prepare for possible conflicts with enemy armies. The settlements have empowered Israeli settlers to attack Palestinians and seize their land, with a reported monthly average of 118 incidents of settler violence. This has further escalated tensions and led to a climate of violence and impunity in the West Bank.
The security implications of Jewish settlements in the West Bank have been a complex and contentious issue, impacting both the Israeli and Palestinian communities. While the settlements were initially established with security motivations, they have also become a source of heightened security challenges and human rights concerns in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Jews are allowed in the West Bank. However, the establishment of Jewish settlements in the West Bank is considered a "flagrant violation of international law" by the United Nations Security Council.
One-third of Jews in the West Bank are motivated by religious ideology, while the rest are drawn to the region by the potential to improve their quality of life.
The conflict between Arabs and Jews for control of the land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea started over a century ago when Zionists from Europe began to buy land to set up communities in Palestine. The first decade of Israel's occupation of the West Bank saw the establishment of 32 settlements, primarily in the Jordan Valley and around Jerusalem.
There are now around 700,000 Israeli Jews living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The bigger settlements resemble small towns, and the West Bank is carved into sections by a network of roads and tunnels built by Israel.
