Megan Brooks
The presence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank is a highly contentious issue. The West Bank is a territory acquired by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War that is not under Israeli sovereignty. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law, and the establishment of these settlements has resulted in the displacement of local Palestinian populations. As of 2023, there are approximately 144 Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including 12 in East Jerusalem, with a total of over 450,000 Israeli settlers residing in the region, excluding East Jerusalem. The Israeli government has continued to approve new settlement plans in the West Bank, despite widespread international condemnation and concerns that these settlements threaten the possibility of a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Israeli settlements in the West Bank | 144, including 12 in East Jerusalem |
| Number of illegal Israeli outposts in the West Bank | 196 |
| Total number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank | 450,000 excluding East Jerusalem, 700,000 including East Jerusalem |
| Number of Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem | 220,000 |
| Number of Israeli settlers in Syria's Golan Heights | 25,000 |
| Number of new homes approved in the E1 area project in the West Bank | 3,401 |
| Number of violent incidents by settlers against Palestinians verified by the UN | 3,372 |
| Number of injuries to Palestinians caused by settler violence recorded by the UN | 1,222 |
| Number of settlers in the West Bank in 1983 | 28,400 |
| Number of settlers in Area C of the West Bank in 1972 | 1,200 |
| Number of settlers in Area C of the West Bank in 1993 | 110,000 |
| Number of settlers in Area C of the West Bank in 2010 | 310,000 |
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What You'll Learn
There are over 450,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank
The presence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank is a highly contentious issue. As of January 2023, there are 144 Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including 12 in East Jerusalem. These settlements are home to over 450,000 Israeli settlers, excluding East Jerusalem, which has an additional 220,000 Israeli settlers. The total number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is over 670,000.
The establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank began after the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel acquired territories that were not under its sovereignty. The initial goal was to create a significant Jewish population in the West Bank so that if the area was annexed, it would not significantly alter the demographic character of Israel. Religious ideology and the promise of a higher quality of life motivated the settlement of the West Bank.
Over time, the settlement movement became driven by messianic Religious Zionist ideology, which holds that it is a religious imperative for Jews to settle the entire Land of Israel. This ideology led to the establishment of settlements in heavily populated Palestinian areas to secure Jewish dominance over the territory and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. The construction of settlements has resulted in the displacement of local Palestinian populations and has been deemed illegal under international law.
The international community has largely condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The United Nations, the European Union, and individual countries such as Germany and Turkey have urged Israel to cease settlement construction and comply with international law. Despite these calls, the Israeli government continues to approve new settlement plans, citing security concerns and the religious significance of the land.
The presence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank has significant implications for the region's demographics, politics, and security. It remains a highly sensitive and disputed issue, with ongoing debates about the legality and ethical implications of the settlements.
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The number of settlers has been increasing
The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank has been steadily increasing over the years. As of January 2023, there are 144 Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including 12 in East Jerusalem, with a total of over 450,000 Israeli settlers residing in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem. This represents a significant increase from previous years. For example, in 2019, the number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank excluding East Jerusalem was 441,600, and in 2016, the number was 420,899.
The establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is driven by various factors, including religious ideology, security concerns, and economic incentives. One-third of Jews in the West Bank are motivated by religious beliefs, while others are drawn to the region by the potential for a higher quality of life due to government subsidies and lower housing costs. Additionally, the Israeli government has provided incentives such as mortgage and housing subsidies, tax incentives, and infrastructure projects to encourage settlement in the West Bank.
The construction of settlements in the West Bank has been a source of international controversy and has been condemned by the United Nations, the European Union, and human rights organizations. The settlements are considered illegal under international law and are seen as an obstacle to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The expansion of settlements has also been linked to the displacement of local Palestinian communities and widespread violations of the civil and political rights of the Palestinian people.
Despite international opposition, the Israeli government continues to approve new settlement plans. In August 2025, far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the approval of 3,401 new homes in the controversial E1 area project in the occupied West Bank. This decision was criticized by Germany, Turkey, and the UN as disregarding international law and targeting the territorial integrity of the state of Palestine.
The increasing number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank has significant implications for the region's demographics, security, and political future. The Israeli government's plan to double the settler population by 2027 further underscores the ongoing commitment to expanding settlements, despite international calls for a cessation of such activities.
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The settlements are considered illegal by the UN
As of January 2023, there are 144 Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including 12 in East Jerusalem. In addition, there are at least 196 Israeli outposts in the West Bank that are not sanctioned by the Israeli government. Over 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, with an additional 220,000 Jewish settlers residing in East Jerusalem.
The Israeli government disputes the illegality of its settlements, claiming that Israeli citizens were not deported nor transferred to the territories, and that the territory is not occupied as there was no internationally recognized legal sovereign prior. However, all of Israel's arguments have been refuted by the ICC's 2024 ruling. The Supreme Court of Israel has also ruled that Israel's presence in the West Bank is a violation of international law.
The settlements have been linked to the displacement of the Palestinian population. The establishment of settlements in the Palestinian territories is linked to the displacement of local populations, and the expansion of settlements often involves the confiscation of Palestinian land and resources, leading to the displacement of Palestinian communities. The presence of settlements and Jewish-only bypass roads creates a fragmented Palestinian territory, seriously hindering economic development and freedom of movement for Palestinians. The settlements also disrupt Palestinian contiguity, making it harder to create a viable Palestinian state.
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The settlements are defended by the IDF
The presence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank is a highly contentious issue. 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.
As of 2023, there are 144 Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including 12 in East Jerusalem. In addition to these settlements, the West Bank also hosts at least 196 Israeli outposts, which are settlements that have not been authorized by the Israeli government and are considered illegal even under Israeli domestic law. The total number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, is over 450,000, with an additional 220,000 settlers residing in East Jerusalem.
The settlements in the West Bank are defended by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The protection of these settlements and the roads connecting them to Israel requires a massive deployment of troops. Over half of active IDF troops are stationed in the West Bank, with 80% of these troops defending settlements and ensuring their security. The presence of the IDF in the West Bank is justified on security grounds, with Israel citing historic rights, internal and external security concerns, and the area's symbolic value as reasons for retaining control of the territory.
The establishment and expansion of settlements in the West Bank have been criticized by the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and individual countries such as Germany and Turkey. The displacement of Palestinian populations due to Israeli settlements has been documented, and the construction of settlements has been linked to an increase in violence against Palestinians. The International Court of Justice delivered a landmark advisory opinion in July 2024, stating that Israel's occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip was illegal and that Israel had an "obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers" from these areas.
Despite international pressure and criticism, Israel continues to defend and expand its settlements in the West Bank, citing security and historic rights as justifications for its actions. The presence of the IDF in the West Bank, dedicated to protecting the settlements and ensuring their security, remains a significant aspect of Israel's occupation of the territory.
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The settlements are driven by Religious Zionist ideology
Religious Zionism is a variant of Zionist ideology that combines religious conservatism and secular nationalism into a theology with patriotism as its basis. The main ideologue of modern Religious Zionism was Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, who justified Zionism according to Jewish law and urged young religious Jews to support efforts to settle the land. Religious Zionists view the settlement of the West Bank as a commandment of God, necessary for the redemption of the Jewish people.
The belief that the West Bank was given to the Jews by God is a common justification for the establishment of Israeli settlements in the region. For example, in 1967, Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, a major religious Zionist leader, declared in the presence of Israeli leadership:
> I tell you explicitly... that there is a prohibition in the Torah against giving up even an inch of our liberated land. There are no conquests here and we are not occupying foreign land; we are returning to our home, to the inheritance of our forefathers. There is no Arab land here, only the inheritance of our God—the more the world gets used to this thought the better it will be for it and for all of us.
In June 2014, the number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, was 382,031. By the end of 2016, this number had risen to 420,899, and in 2019, it increased further to 441,600. As of January 2023, there are 144 Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including 12 in East Jerusalem. In total, over 450,000 Israeli settlers reside in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, with an additional 220,000 Israeli settlers in East Jerusalem. The establishment of settlements in the West Bank has been linked to the displacement of Palestinian populations, and the international community has largely condemned the existence of these settlements as a violation of international law.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, as of January 2023, there are around 144 Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including 12 in East Jerusalem.
The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank has been steadily increasing over the years. As of 2023, there are over 450,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, with an additional 220,000 settlers in East Jerusalem.
There are various reasons for the presence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank. One reason is the establishment of a Jewish population in the region to solidify Israel's control and ensure the territory's political future aligns with its security needs. Religious ideology and the potential for a higher quality of life are also factors that motivate settlers.
The legality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is a highly contested issue. The International Court of Justice has deemed Israel's occupation of the West Bank and its settlement activities as illegal. However, Israel and its supporters argue otherwise, citing security and religious reasons for their presence.
The establishment and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank have led to the displacement of local Palestinian communities and the violation of their civil, political, economic, and cultural rights. There have also been reports of increased violence against Palestinians by settlers, with the United Nations verifying 3,372 violent incidents in the last decade.
