Brandon Lee
The topic of Israelis living in the West Bank is a highly contested issue. The West Bank is a territory situated on the western side of the Jordan River, with an estimated population of 2,747,943 Palestinians and over 670,000 Israeli settlers. The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, has been a matter of debate, with estimates ranging from 450,000 to over 700,000. The Israeli government has encouraged the establishment of Jewish communities in the West Bank, citing security and religious imperatives, while critics argue that it hinders the establishment of a Palestinian state and infringes on Palestinians' freedom of movement. The international community, including the United Nations and human rights groups, has condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, with some comparing it to apartheid-era South Africa. The issue of Israelis living in the West Bank remains a complex and ongoing point of contention between Israel and Palestine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank | 450,000-700,000 |
| Number of Israeli settlers in East Jerusalem | 220,000 |
| Total number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem | 670,000+ |
| Number of settlements in the West Bank | 132-279 |
| Number of illegal outposts in the West Bank | 140-196 |
| Number of Israeli settlers in Golan Heights | 20,000-25,000 |
| Number of violent incidents by settlers against Palestinians (2013-2023) | 3,372 |
| Number of Palestinians killed by Israel since 2023 | 54,000+ |
| Number of Palestinians forcibly displaced since 2023 | 40,000+ |
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What You'll Learn
The number of Israelis living in the West Bank
The West Bank is a territory that was taken over by Israel in 1967 during the Six-Day War. It has been under Israeli military rule since then, with the Palestinian Authority providing public services and coordinating closely on security. While Israel has not formally annexed the West Bank, it has established and encouraged Jewish communities in the region, with over 450,000 Israeli settlers residing there as of January 2023. This figure excludes East Jerusalem, which has an additional 220,000 Israeli settlers.
The establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is a highly contentious issue. Most of the world considers these settlements illegal under international law, and human rights groups have likened Israel's two-tiered system of control in the West Bank to apartheid-era South Africa. Despite international condemnation, Israel has continued to authorize settlement construction in sensitive areas of the West Bank, and the number of Israeli settlers has steadily increased over the years.
As of January 2023, there were 144 Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including 12 in East Jerusalem. Additionally, there are over 100 Israeli outposts in the West Bank that are not authorized by the Israeli government. The total population of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, was estimated to be over 700,000 in 2022, according to the United Nations.
The Israeli government's approach to settling the West Bank has been influenced by security concerns and religious ideology. By placing Israeli civilians in strategic regions, Israel sought to solidify its control over the territory and ensure its political future aligned with its perceived security needs. The Religious Zionist ideology also played a significant role, driven by the belief that it is a religious imperative for Jews to settle the entire Land of Israel.
The presence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank has led to friction and conflict with the Palestinian population. The United Nations reported a correlation between the expansion of Israeli outposts and violent incidents against Palestinians. Despite this, the Israeli government has faced criticism for failing to adequately address crimes committed by settlers and Israeli forces against Palestinians.
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Reasons for Israelis living in the West Bank
The West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria, has a land area of about 5,640 square kilometres (2,180 square miles) and an estimated population of 2,747,943 Palestinians and over 670,000 Israeli settlers, of which approximately 220,000 live in East Jerusalem. The West Bank is a territory situated on the western side of the Jordan River that was occupied in 1948 and annexed in 1950 by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
There are several reasons why Israelis live in the West Bank:
- Religious and ideological reasons: The West Bank is considered sacred land by some Jews, and there is a religious imperative for Jews to settle in the entire Land of Israel, which includes the West Bank.
- Security and defence: By placing Israeli civilians in certain areas, Israel sought to solidify its control over the territory and ensure that the territory's political future would be consistent with its perceived security needs. A civilian population in the West Bank could also act as a first line of defence against any invasion.
- Economic factors: Housing and living costs in Israeli settlements in the West Bank are significantly lower than in Israel proper. Government spending per citizen in these settlements is double that spent per Israeli citizen in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
- Infrastructure development: Israel has constructed roads and tunnels in the West Bank, connecting settlements and outposts, which has made it easier for Israelis to live and travel in the region.
- Political aspirations: Some Israelis may choose to live in the West Bank due to their political beliefs and aspirations for the region, such as preventing a Palestinian state and ensuring Israeli dominance over the territory.
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The legality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank
The Fourth Geneva Convention states that "the Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies." This has been interpreted by some as meaning that Israel, as an occupying power, is in violation of international law by transferring its civilian population into the West Bank. However, others argue that the West Bank was never part of Jordan, which seized it in 1949, and that Israel has the strongest claim to the land based on the borders of the prior geopolitical unit, the League of Nations Mandate for Palestine.
Under Israeli law, West Bank settlements must meet specific criteria to be legal. Settlements must be built on state land, have building permits from the government, and be established by a government resolution. As of January 2023, there are 144 Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including 12 in East Jerusalem, with a total population of over 450,000 Israeli settlers. There are also at least 196 Israeli outposts in the West Bank that are not authorized by the Israeli government.
The establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank has been a major obstacle to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Human rights groups have argued that Israel's two-tiered system of control in the West Bank is comparable to apartheid-era South Africa. Critics of annexation fear that it would further isolate Israel and inflame diplomatic tensions with other countries. Despite these concerns, far-right Israeli ministers have continued to call for the annexation of the West Bank, citing the need to ensure Israel's security and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
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The impact of Israeli settlements on Palestinians in the West Bank
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with the former's settlement policy being a significant source of tension. Successive Israeli governments have invested heavily in establishing and expanding settlements in the West Bank, leading to profound consequences for Palestinians. These settlements are considered illegal under international law and have been described by the UN as a "breach of international law" and a violation of Palestinians' right to self-determination.
The West Bank has a land area of approximately 5,640 square kilometres and an estimated population of 2,747,943 Palestinians and over 670,000 Israeli settlers. The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, is over 450,000, with an additional 220,000 residing in East Jerusalem. The establishment and expansion of these settlements often involve the confiscation of Palestinian land and resources, leading to the displacement of Palestinian communities and creating a source of tension and conflict. The Israeli government has announced plans for thousands of new homes in existing settlements and the establishment of new settlements in the West Bank, with reports of increasing settler violence and human rights violations.
The impact of these settlements on Palestinians in the West Bank is significant and far-reaching. The seizure of land and resources by Israeli settlers has led to the destruction of Palestinian agricultural lands, such as olive groves, orchards, and vineyards. This has disrupted the local economy and the livelihoods of Palestinian farmers. The expansion of settlements and the construction of roads connecting them have also fragmented Palestinian territories, hindering economic development and freedom of movement for Palestinians. Israeli travel restrictions and the closure of roads to Palestinian vehicles further isolate Palestinian communities and restrict their access to resources.
The presence of Israeli settlements in the West Bank has also resulted in the forced eviction and displacement of Palestinian communities. Israeli forces have demolished Palestinian homes and structures, leaving thousands homeless. The ongoing expansion of settlements and the associated infrastructure development have led to the unlawful demolition of Palestinian properties, with over 1,779 structures destroyed in the West Bank for "lack of building permits". This has resulted in the forcible displacement of 4,527 people, a number that continues to rise with each reporting period.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resulted in mass human rights violations, with Palestinians suffering terrible consequences. The settlement policy has contributed to a climate of violence and instability, with increasing attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers. The expansion of settlements and the associated infrastructure development have also disrupted the natural environment and affected access to essential resources like water. The average water consumption of Israelis is at least four times that of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and in Gaza, 96% of the water is contaminated and unfit for human consumption.
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The history of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the West Bank
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a long-running dispute over land and self-determination within the territory of the former Mandatory Palestine. The conflict has its roots in the late 19th century with the rise of Zionism in Europe, a movement that aimed to establish a Jewish state through the colonisation of Palestine. This led to the first arrival of Jewish settlers in Ottoman Palestine in 1882, and the Zionist movement gained further support from the 1917 Balfour Declaration issued by Britain, which promised to support the creation of a "Jewish homeland" in Palestine.
In 1948, the Arab-Israeli conflict resulted in the expulsion or flight of an estimated 711,000 Palestinians from Israel, and the establishment of the state of Israel. The descendants of these refugees, as well as subsequent refugees from the 1967 Six-Day War, are considered refugees by the UN, resulting in a population of 4.7 million Palestinian refugees as of 2010. Israel has prevented the return of these refugees, except in limited cases, contributing to the ongoing conflict.
The Six-Day War in June 1967 further escalated tensions, with Israel seizing East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. This left Palestinians under Israeli occupation and control, and the occupation of these territories, along with the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, has been a key source of conflict. Israel justifies its presence in these areas on security grounds, and both sides have experienced violence and casualties throughout the conflict.
The Oslo Peace Accords in 1993 aimed to provide a framework for peace talks, but these eventually collapsed. The core issues of the conflict include borders, the status of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem as the capital for both Israelis and Palestinians, security, water rights, freedom of movement for Palestinians, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
Today, there are over 450,000 Israeli settlers living in 132 settlements in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, with an additional 220,000 settlers in 12 settlements in East Jerusalem. The Israeli settlement movement has been driven by religious Zionist ideology, aiming to secure Jewish dominance over the territory and prevent a Palestinian state. The settlements have transformed the terrain of the West Bank, and the Israeli government has invested significant resources into infrastructure, roads, and tunnels, solidifying its control over the area.
The conflict has resulted in a complex situation, with both sides claiming the land as theirs and competing narratives shaping perceptions. While some countries have recognised a Palestinian state, others have said they will only do so as part of a long-term political solution. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains ongoing, with violent attacks and human rights abuses committed by both sides.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Israelis live in the West Bank. As of 2023, there are around 700,000 Israeli settlers living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
There are several reasons why Israelis choose to live in the West Bank. One of the main reasons is the significantly lower cost of housing compared to Israel proper. Other reasons include religious and ideological beliefs, as well as the perception of security and economic benefits.
The legality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is disputed. While Israel claims that its settlements are legal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the United Nations (UN) have both issued opinions stating that the occupation of Palestinian territory and the establishment of settlements are illegal under international law.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank have had negative impacts on Palestinians, including severe infringements on their freedom of movement and access to resources. The presence of Israeli settlers has also led to increased violence and attacks against Palestinians, with the United Nations verifying 3,372 violent incidents by settlers between 2012 and 2022. Additionally, the expansion of Israeli settlements has contributed to the forced displacement of Palestinians and hindered the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.
