Since the occupation of the West Bank in 1967, Israel has worked to impose its control over the land through settlement expansion, which has not only been housing projects but rather a systematic strategy to Judaize the West Bank and alter its demographic composition. This policy aims to create a new reality that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state or the establishment of self-governance for Palestinians and continues to entrench Israeli dominance over all of historic Palestine.

Settlement... Background and History

Israeli settlement in the West Bank began immediately after its occupation, with the first settlements established in the areas surrounding Jerusalem, such as the settlement of "Gush Etzion." Over the decades, the settlement project expanded at an accelerating pace with direct government support, through the provision of financial incentives for settlers and the allocation of large budgets for their infrastructure.

Settlement continued to grow and expand gradually, especially after the signing of the Oslo Agreement in 1993. The "Israeli" governments exploited the agreement to establish more settlements instead of halting them, as had been agreed upon.

Today, after 32 years of the agreement, settlements are spread throughout the West Bank, especially in Area C, which is under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords. It is worth noting that when the agreement was signed, the number of settlers in the West Bank and Gaza was 85,000 settlers at that time.

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The Israeli objectives of settlement.

• Creating a new demographic reality:

"Israel" aims to increase the number of Jewish settlers in the West Bank to shift the demographic balance in its favor, while statistics indicate that the number of settlers today exceeds 900,000, living in more than 250 settlements and outposts: reflecting the success of this policy in establishing a new reality.

• Fragmentation of the West Bank:

The settlements have been constructed in a way that obstructs geographical communication between Palestinian cities and villages, preventing the establishment of a geographically connected Palestinian state. Bypass roads, the separation barrier, and closed security zones are all tools used to dismantle the West Bank into separate cantons, making it easier to control them.

• Control over natural resources:

Israel targets areas rich in water and agricultural resources through settlement, such as the Palestinian Jordan Valley, which contains some of the most important sources of groundwater. Settlers consume vast amounts of these resources, while Palestinians suffer from water scarcity due to discriminatory Israeli policies.

• Foiling any future political solution:

The more the settlements expand, the more difficult it becomes to dismantle them; this makes any political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict more complex. The settlements are used as leverage in negotiations, as Israel imposes its conditions under the pretext of facts on the ground.

Settlement... and International Law.

Israeli settlement in the West Bank is considered illegal under international law, as the Fourth Geneva Convention states that the occupying power must not transfer its own population into the territories it occupies. United Nations resolutions, such as Security Council Resolution 2334 of 2016, have affirmed that the settlements represent a violation of international law and constitute an obstacle to peace. Despite these resolutions, Israel disregards them, benefiting from American and Western support, amidst a weak international ability to impose sanctions that would compel it to cease its settlement activities.

The effects of settlement on Palestinians.

Land is being confiscated and residents are being displaced from Palestinian territories under various pretexts, such as declaring them "state land" or converting them into closed military zones. This leads to the displacement of hundreds of Palestinian families from their lands, as is happening in areas like Masafer Yatta, the northern Jordan Valley, and the Tana area east of Nablus. Meanwhile, the violence used by settlers as a tool to intimidate Palestinians and push them to leave their lands is occurring under the protection of the occupation army. In recent years, there has been an increase in settler attacks, which include burning homes and farms, as well as physical assaults on civilians. The impacts of settlement have several facets, perhaps the most significant of which are:

• Destruction of the Palestinian economy:

The "Israeli" settlement has systematically led to the destruction of the Palestinian economy, as "Israel" confiscates vast areas of fertile land relied upon by Palestinians for agriculture. This reduces local agricultural production and increases reliance on imports. Additionally, the occupying authorities control water resources, limiting Palestinians' access to the water necessary for irrigation and consumption, which negatively impacts agriculture and related industries.

In addition, "Israel" imposes strict restrictions on the movement of goods and individuals to and from the Palestinian territories, where military checkpoints are established, and trade routes are controlled; this disrupts both internal and external trade. This, in turn, has weakened the Palestinian private sector, increased unemployment and poverty rates, and made it difficult to develop successful economic projects.

Palestinians are also suffering from restrictions in the industrial sector, as they are prevented from accessing natural resources in their territories, such as quarries and mineral wealth. This leads to a decline in the productive capacity of Palestinian factories and companies. In addition, repeated attacks by settlers on Palestinian farmers and traders result in severe economic losses, exacerbating the economic crisis and increasing the suffering of local residents.

Therefore, Israeli settlement constitutes the main obstacle to Palestinian economic development, which continues to deprive Palestinians of exploiting their natural resources, restricts their trade movement, and destroys productive sectors; this has hindered the establishment of a sustainable economy capable of meeting the needs of the population.

• Restricting movement and closing roads:

A complex system of barriers and detours is imposed to serve the settlers; this has isolated Palestinian cities from one another and made movement between villages difficult, which in turn has disrupted the daily lives of Palestinians, especially in the sectors of health, education, and employment.

The Palestinian resistance to settlement

The Palestinians have engaged in almost daily confrontations against settlers and the occupation army through demonstrations and popular protests in areas such as Beita, Ni'lin, and Kafr Qaddum. They have also resorted to international courts to document settlement crimes and demand accountability from "Israel." Nevertheless, the occupying state has not hesitated to move forward with even greater speed than before for broader expansion.

Armed struggle

Palestinian resistance factions consider settlement a military target. In recent years, there has been an increase in operations aimed at settlers and occupation soldiers, especially in the northern West Bank, in cities like Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarem. They recognize that strengthening the resilience of Palestinians on their land can only be achieved through armed resistance, which is the only way to resist and remain on the land despite all challenges. Meanwhile, other Palestinian initiatives are working to enhance agriculture in land threatened by confiscation and to establish economic projects that promote Palestinian independence, such as boycotting "Israeli" products and supporting local products.

The future of settlement and Palestinian confrontation.

Despite the increase in settler attacks, Palestinian resistance in its various forms continues, complicating the occupation's attempts to impose total control. With the rise of international condemnations, even if they are merely symbolic, the question remains: Can the international community take serious action to stop these crimes, or will the conflict continue until it is resolved by reality on the ground?

Settlement in the West Bank is not merely an urban expansion, but rather a tool for Judaization and demographic change aimed at imposing a new reality that ends any chance for the establishment of a Palestinian state or reaching a two-state solution. While the occupation continues its expansionist policies, Palestinians remain steadfast in their land, aware that their resilience and armed struggle are the strongest in this long battle.

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