Megan Brooks
The West Bank, home to an estimated three million Palestinians, has been under Israeli occupation since the Six-Day War in 1967. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is one of the longest-running in the world, with Palestinians insisting on their right to return to their ancestral homeland and Israel refusing, resulting in a cycle of violence and retaliation. The West Bank is part of what is widely known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which also includes East Jerusalem and Gaza. Palestinians in the West Bank face restrictions on their movement, economic growth, and access to resources, with their safety, economic confidence, and hopes for the future being negatively impacted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Palestinians living in the West Bank | 3 million |
| How Palestinians rate their lives in the West Bank | 4.6 out of 10 |
| Percentage of Palestinians in the West Bank who feel safe walking alone at night | 56% |
| Number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank | 450,000 |
| Number of illegal Israeli outposts in the West Bank | 140 |
| Number of housing units approved by Israel in the West Bank | 3,400 |
| Number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank since October 7, 2023 | 600 |
| Number of Palestinians killed in the 2023 assault | 1,200 |
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What You'll Learn
Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian farms
Palestinians have been living in the West Bank for generations, but their presence and safety are now under threat. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has been fought mostly in the Gaza Strip, has had a wider impact on the region, with changing public opinion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The effects of the war have resulted in a humanitarian crisis that has pushed health and welfare infrastructures in Gaza to the brink of collapse.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has led to a rise in settler violence and Palestinian attacks on Israelis. In particular, there has been an increase in Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian farms in the West Bank. These attacks are often carried out by masked men who target olive trees, livestock, and other Palestinian property. The BBC witnessed one such attack on Brahim Hamaiel's farm, where a dozen settlers charged towards them with large sticks, hacking and breaking Brahim's olive trees. Brahim's family has farmed olives on this land for generations, but now they are a target for extremist settlers who want to kill the idea of a Palestinian state by forcing residents off their land.
The Israeli organization Peace Now monitors the spread of settlements in the West Bank and has reported a multiplication of outposts and settler aggression since the Hamas attacks in October 2023. The number of outposts has increased to about 100 across the West Bank, and hundreds of square kilometres of land have been taken over by settlers using violent intimidation tactics. This has been encouraged by government support and a lack of proper law enforcement by Israel. The UN has also documented at least 27 settler attacks against Palestinians during a one-week period in August, resulting in casualties and property damage.
Palestinian police are forbidden from reacting to acts of violence by Israeli settlers, which diminishes their credibility among Palestinians. Israeli officials rarely prosecute those accused of violence against Palestinians, and there is a low conviction rate. This has led to a lack of faith in Israeli justice and security forces among Palestinians, who believe that these entities protect only the settlers. The increase in settler violence and the lack of accountability have contributed to the rising tensions and violence in the West Bank, with a negative impact on the lives and safety of Palestinians living in the region.
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Palestinian life evaluations and safety
Palestinians living in the West Bank have rated their lives between 5.0 and 5.5 out of 10 over the past decade. However, in the past year, their ratings have dropped to 4.6, the lowest in almost two decades. This decline in life evaluations is likely due to the rising tensions and violence in the West Bank, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 600 Palestinians, according to the United Nations. Israel's defense forces have conducted near-daily military arrest raids, and there has been an increase in settler violence and Palestinian attacks.
The conflict has significantly impacted the safety and security of Palestinians in the West Bank. While a majority felt safe walking alone at night in previous years, only 56% felt safe doing so in 2024, indicating a rise in insecurity. The conflict has also led to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians, with Israeli authorities demolishing buildings and villages in the West Bank. The establishment of new Israeli settlements in the West Bank has exacerbated tensions, with the Israeli organization Peace Now reporting the appearance of about 100 outposts in the region.
Palestinians in the West Bank are increasingly concerned about their economic future and the wellbeing of their children. The conflict has had significant economic consequences, with 80% of Palestinians stating that the local economy is worsening. Additionally, the percentages of people who feel that children are respected and have adequate opportunities have decreased. The recent violence and instability have likely contributed to these negative evaluations of economic prospects and children's welfare.
The situation in the West Bank has also drawn attention to human rights violations against Palestinians. Amnesty International has reported instances of forced displacement, arbitrary detention, and ill-treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank. The International Court of Justice has issued instructions to end the illegal occupation, but they have been disregarded. The conflict has resulted in a loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and a decline in overall well-being for Palestinians residing in the West Bank.
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Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank
The West Bank is home to both Palestinian and Israeli civilian communities. Settlements refer to Israeli communities in territories acquired by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War that are not under Israeli sovereignty.
The Israeli government has approved several settlement projects in the West Bank, including the recent controversial E1 settlement plan, which involves the construction of around 3,500 apartments and housing units. The E1 project has been under consideration for over two decades but was delayed due to international opposition and pressure from previous US administrations. The approval of this project has sparked concerns that it could effectively divide the West Bank, disrupt Palestinian contiguity, and hinder the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
The expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank has also been associated with increased tensions and violence. There have been reports of attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities, farms, and olive groves, as well as clashes between settlers and Palestinian residents. The expansion of settlements has made it increasingly difficult for Palestinians to maintain their presence and way of life in the region.
The settlement construction and the presence of Israeli civilians in the West Bank are part of a broader strategy to secure Israeli control over the territory and establish spatial dominance. This has led to a complex and contentious situation, with rising violence and a deterioration in the quality of life for Palestinians in the region.
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The historical context of the conflict
Following World War II and the Holocaust, international pressure and support for a Jewish state in Palestine intensified, leading to the establishment of Israel in 1948. This was accompanied by a war with the surrounding Arab countries, resulting in Israel's successful defence and international recognition. However, the war also led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs, who either became refugees in surrounding countries or remained within Israel's newly formed borders.
The creation of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians sparked a protracted conflict, with Palestinians seeking to establish their own independent state. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), formed in 1964, initially dedicated itself to terrorism against Israelis but later accepted the notion of a two-state solution, paving the way for the 1993 Oslo peace process. The Six-Day War in 1967 was another pivotal moment, with Israel's victory resulting in the capture of large territories from Arab states and the reunification of Jerusalem under Jewish sovereignty.
The conflict has persisted despite various attempts at peace processes and negotiations. More recent developments include the First Intifada in the late 1980s, marked by demonstrations and violence, and the establishment of Hamas in 1987, which has engaged in ""armed resistance"" and terrorist acts against Israel. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a complex situation in the West Bank, with Israeli settlements, Palestinian displacement, and escalating violence. International efforts to resolve the conflict and establish a peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians continue, but the region remains volatile, with frequent outbreaks of violence and ongoing disputes over land and sovereignty.
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The impact on Palestinian economic growth
The Palestinian economy has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict with Israel and the occupation of the West Bank. The conflict has led to a rapid and alarming economic decline in the West Bank, with factors such as settlement expansion, land confiscations, the demolition of Palestinian structures, and increased settler violence displacing communities and severely impacting economic activities.
The World Bank has reported that the fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority has dramatically worsened, with revenue streams drying up due to a drastic reduction in clearance revenue transfers and a massive drop in economic activity. The financing gap reached US$682 million at the end of 2023 and is projected to double within the coming months, reaching up to US$1.2 billion. The overall poverty rate of Palestinians stood at 32.8% in mid-2023, with a wide difference between the West Bank and Gaza. In Gaza, the poverty rate was close to 64%, while in the West Bank, it was around 12%.
The conflict has also disrupted the import and export prosperity of Palestine, with border restrictions and constant Israeli control in the West Bank and Gaza weakening the industrial and agricultural sectors. The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report highlights the staggering scale of economic devastation, with an unprecedented decline in economic activity far surpassing the impact of previous military confrontations. Inflationary pressures, soaring unemployment, and collapsing incomes have severely impoverished Palestinian households.
The impact of the conflict on Palestinian economic growth is evident in the loss of jobs and declining GDP per capita. Close to half a million jobs have been lost in the Palestinian economy since October 2023, including an estimated loss of 144,000 jobs in the West Bank. GDP per capita in 2023 stood at $3,360, a 12% drop from 2022. The initial optimism of a 4% GDP growth in the West Bank during the first three quarters of 2023 was abruptly reversed by an unprecedented 19% contraction in the fourth quarter, resulting in an overall annual GDP decline of 1.9%.
The restrictions placed by Israel on telecommunication operators in the West Bank have also had a notable negative impact on the development of Palestinian telecommunications networks, sustaining losses in the range of $1 billion. The overall impact of the conflict on Palestinian economic growth has been severe, with a sharp downturn in living standards and household incomes, and a massive shock to the Palestinian economy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, about three million Palestinians live in the West Bank.
Palestinians in the West Bank have reported feeling unsafe and pessimistic about their economic future and their children's wellbeing.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine is one of the longest-running in the world. In 1948, about 750,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes on land that became Israel. This event is known in Arabic as the Nakba (Catastrophe). Since then, Palestinians have always opposed Israel's presence in the West Bank and want it to be part of a future independent state.
The international community generally supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state and considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal. However, the Trump administration has been less critical of these settlements.
There have been reports of rising tensions and violence in the West Bank, with Israeli settler aggression towards Palestinians and Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Israeli authorities have also imposed restrictions on Palestinian construction and movement in the area.
