Jerusalem: Israel's settlement policies in the Palestinian territories have come under renewed scrutiny as historical and recent developments reveal the deepening fragmentation of Palestinian land.
According to Anadolu Agency, the roots of these settlements trace back to the First Aliyah between 1882 and 1903, when Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and Yemen established agricultural villages with the backing of early Zionist movements. These initial settlements laid the groundwork for what would become a widespread settlement policy.
During the British Mandate era from 1917 to 1948, the Balfour Declaration accelerated Jewish immigration, leading to the establishment of kibbutzim and moshavim through organizations like the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Fund. These moves were marked by systematic land seizures, often from absentee Arab landowners, furthering the cause of Zionist settlement.
The creation of Israel in 1948 led to the displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians, an event known as the Nakba. This period saw the West Bank and East Jerusalem come under Jordanian administration until the 1967 Six-Day War, after which Israeli settlement activities intensified. The occupation of these territories marked the start of a settlement boom, with the settler population in the West Bank increasing more than fivefold between 1977 and 1983.
The Oslo Accords of the 1990s partitioned the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C, with Area C remaining under full Israeli control. Despite peace efforts, the settler population rose significantly, and unauthorized outposts emerged during this time. In Gaza, Israeli settlements controlled a significant portion of land until their evacuation in 2005 under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan.
In recent years, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, settlement activity has surged. UN reports confirmed a record approval of new housing units in West Bank settlements in 2023, with ongoing construction continuing at an unprecedented rate. The number of officially recognized settlements has increased dramatically, with many new outposts established during Israel's ongoing conflict with Gaza.
These developments have led to a significant increase in the settler population, with estimates suggesting a population of between 730,000 and 737,000 by 2024-2025, including both the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The proliferation of settler outposts further complicates the situation, as many of these outposts are established on vast grazing lands, significantly altering the landscape.
The international community, including the International Court of Justice and the UN Security Council, has repeatedly declared Israeli settlements illegal under international law. However, Israel disputes this interpretation, viewing the land as disputed rather than occupied. Recent statements by Israeli officials suggest an intent to formally annex the West Bank, a move seen as the culmination of longstanding policy planning.