Jake Miller
Palestine, officially the State of Palestine, is a country in West Asia. It is recognised by 147 out of 193 UN member states and includes the Israeli-occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, collectively known as the occupied Palestinian territories. The West Bank is an area of the former British-mandated territory of Palestine west of the Jordan River, claimed from 1949 to 1988 as part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan but occupied by Israel since 1967. The status of the West Bank is considered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Supreme Court of Israel as military occupation by Israel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status | The West Bank is a part of Palestine, which is officially the State of Palestine. It is considered occupied territory under Israeli military occupation. |
| Geography | The West Bank is an area of former British-mandated territory of Palestine, west of the Jordan River and along most of the Dead Sea. |
| Population | The population of the West Bank is estimated to be around 4 million as of 2024. There are also a significant number of Israeli settlers, with over 450,000 living in 132 settlements in the West Bank as of 2022. |
| Governance | Palestine, including the West Bank, has been recognised by 147 out of 193 UN member states. However, Israel controls access to the West Bank and has established multiple security checkpoints. |
| Economy | The West Bank's economy has been negatively impacted by Israeli occupation and restrictions. The manufacturing sector's share of GDP decreased from 19% to 10% between the signing of the Oslo Accords and 2011. |
| Infrastructure | The West Bank has limited medical facilities and inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure. |
| Tourism | The West Bank contains significant sites for Muslims, Christians, and Jews, but access for Palestinians is restricted. Tourism is mainly centred around Jerusalem and Bethlehem. |
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What You'll Learn
The West Bank is part of Palestine
The West Bank is a part of Palestine. It is an area of the former British-mandated territory of Palestine, west of the Jordan River. The West Bank was claimed as part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 1949 to 1988, but it has been occupied by Israel since 1967. The West Bank is home to several significant sites for Muslims, Christians, and Jews, and its population is predominantly Palestinian.
The Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, have been a source of tension and conflict between Israelis and Palestinians for over a century. Israel's control over access to the West Bank and its establishment of settlements in the area have been a major point of contention. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Supreme Court of Israel have ruled that the status of the West Bank is that of military occupation. This means that Israel has control over the movement of people and goods in and out of the West Bank, and it imposes restrictions on various aspects of life for Palestinians living there.
The West Bank is also subject to Israeli security measures, including numerous military checkpoints and curfews. These checkpoints are a frequent site of violent confrontations between Israeli settlers, Palestinians, and Israeli defence and security forces. The presence of Israeli settlements in the West Bank has further complicated the situation, with over 450,000 Israeli settlers living in 132 settlements in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem.
The economic development of the West Bank has been impacted by the Israeli occupation. The manufacturing sector's share of GDP decreased significantly between the signing of the Oslo Accords and 2011. Additionally, the Israeli West Bank barrier has led to an annual economic impoverishment of Palestinians, further hindering economic recovery in the region.
Despite the ongoing conflict and challenges, the West Bank remains an integral part of Palestine, with a rich cultural and historical heritage. It is recognised by the international community as occupied Palestinian territory, and efforts are ongoing to improve the lives of Palestinians living in the region.
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Israel's occupation of the West Bank
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has been under military occupation by Israel since 7 June 1967, when Israeli forces captured the territory, then ruled by Jordan, during the Six-Day War. The status of the West Bank as occupied territory has been affirmed by the International Court of Justice and, with the exception of East Jerusalem, by the Israeli Supreme Court. The West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, is administered by the Israeli Civil Administration, a branch of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
The conflict between Arabs and Jews over the land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea has been ongoing for over a century. The latest turning point came with the deadly October 2023 attacks by Hamas and Israel's devastating response. Since then, Israel has intensified its pressure on West Bank Palestinians, justified as legitimate security measures. This pressure is part of a wider agenda to accelerate the spread of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories and extinguish any lingering hopes of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Israel has established numerous Jewish settlements throughout the West Bank, in contravention of international law. The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly affirmed that these settlements are a "flagrant violation of international law", most recently in 2016 with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334. The International Court of Justice has also found that the establishment of Israeli settlements is illegal under international law. As of 2022, there are over 450,000 Israeli settlers living in 132 Israeli settlements in the West Bank excluding East Jerusalem, with an additional 220,000 Jewish settlers residing in 12 settlements in East Jerusalem.
The industrial development of the West Bank has been constrained by Israeli occupation, with investment capital remaining scarce. Only the transportation infrastructure has seen much improvement since 1967, mostly for military reasons, although it has also benefited agriculture. Israeli restrictions on access between the West Bank and external markets have contributed to the lack of foreign direct investment. The West Bank Palestinians themselves have difficulties accessing their territory for recreation. For example, Palestinians are often barred or turned away from the beaches along the Palestinian Dead Sea Coastline, their only maritime recreational outlet.
The occupation of the West Bank has numerous critics within Israel itself, with some Israeli conscripts refusing to serve due to their objections. The legal status of the occupation has been increasingly scrutinized by the international community and scholars of international law, with most finding that the occupation has become illegal over time.
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The West Bank's economy
The West Bank is an area of the former British-mandated territory of Palestine west of the Jordan River. It was claimed as part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 1949 to 1988 but has been occupied by Israel since 1967. The West Bank, along with the Gaza Strip, is considered a Palestinian territory.
The West Bank has a well-educated labour force, with a 98% literacy rate and one of the highest per capita rates of university graduates in the Arab world. However, unemployment is a significant issue, with a rate of 24% in 2022. The average daily wage in the West Bank is $37, compared to $79 in Israel.
The World Bank and other organizations have recognized the challenging economic situation in the West Bank, and efforts are being made to support economic growth and development. Despite the difficulties, the West Bank's economy showed solid growth until the Covid-driven recession, and a nascent rebound is being observed.
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The West Bank's wastewater infrastructure
The West Bank is an area of the former British-mandated territory of Palestine, west of the Jordan River. It is claimed by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, but has been occupied by Israel since 1967. The West Bank is home to several significant sites for Muslims, Christians, and Jews, and is a highly attractive area for tourists and pilgrims.
The West Bank has been under military occupation, with Israel controlling all access into the territory. Palestinians living in the West Bank are subject to Israeli restrictions and often depend on aid for basic necessities like food, water, and supplies. The Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, have struggled with water infrastructure due to the region's "water-stressed" status. This has resulted in a constant tension between Israelis and Palestinians.
The neglect in improving the West Bank's wastewater infrastructure has been attributed to Israeli budgetary problems. The global community has recognized the issue, allocating $250 million for West Bank wastewater infrastructure development after the Oslo Accords. However, the existing treatment plants in the West Bank often operate below capacity, and the region continues to struggle with wastewater management.
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The West Bank's security situation
The West Bank is a Palestinian territory that was occupied by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967. The status of the West Bank as occupied territory has been affirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Supreme Court of Israel, recognising Israel as the occupying power.
The security situation in the West Bank has been described as "alarming" by UN aid agencies. There have been reports of "lethal, war-like tactics" employed by the Israeli military against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, resulting in civilian casualties and mass displacement. Israeli military raids have led to exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants, with the use of bulldozers in refugee camps for the first time in 20 years, destroying public services and infrastructure.
The West Bank has been under Israeli military occupation, with Palestinians subjected to Israeli restrictions and dependent on aid for basic necessities. The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians over the territory has been ongoing for over a hundred years, with constant tension and violence since the Six-Day War. Israel's control over access to the West Bank has contributed to the complex and unpredictable security environment in the region.
The industrial development of the West Bank has been constrained by Israeli occupation, with scarce investment capital and challenges in accessing external markets. The region also faces environmental issues, with wastewater flowing from Israeli settlements into Palestinian areas, impacting their water sources and health.
The security situation in the West Bank is dynamic and unpredictable, with the potential for violence and conflict to arise without warning. Travel advisories warn of the risk of terrorist attacks and violent extremism, with targets including tourist locations, transportation hubs, and markets. The situation can rapidly change, impacting travel and access to certain areas.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Palestine is a country in West Asia that encompasses the Israeli-occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. These three territories are collectively known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The West Bank is an area of the former British-mandated (1920-1947) territory of Palestine, west of the Jordan River. The territory is also known within Israel by its biblical names, Judaea and Samaria.
The West Bank was occupied by Israel in 1967 during the Six-Day War. The International Court of Justice and the Supreme Court of Israel have ruled that the status of the West Bank is that of military occupation. Israel controls access to the West Bank through a series of security checkpoints.
The Israeli occupation has had a detrimental impact on the Palestinian economy. The escalating number of internal and external closures has devastated any prospects for economic recovery in the region. The Israeli West Bank barrier has led to an annual economic impoverishment of Palestinians by 2-3% of GDP.
The security situation in the West Bank is unpredictable and volatile. Violent clashes between Israeli settlers, Palestinians, and Israeli defence and security forces frequently occur. There is also a threat of terrorism, with an increase in deadly attacks targeting civilians in recent years.
