The West Bank is currently witnessing a dangerous escalation that is almost equivalent to what is happening in the Gaza Strip, as part of a systematic Israeli plan that has been ongoing for decades, aiming to empty the Palestinian land of its indigenous people and reinforce settlements. This is being done under the cover of an Israeli government that is considered the most extreme in the history of the Occupying state and the world.
What is happening is not just political propaganda or theories, but rather a tangible reality in which the Occupation policies are implemented before the eyes of the world. The world continues to remain strangely silent, while the Netanyahu government takes rapid steps to destroy any possibility of the Palestinians remaining on their land.
Daily raids on Palestinian cities and villages have become a common sight, as the rate of attacks has increased from 3 to 7 per day, and they include killing Palestinians, destroying their property and preventing farmers from picking olives or even accessing their lands. These attacks, carried out by settlers under the protection of the Occupation army, were accompanied by an increase in the number of military checkpoints to more than 750, isolating Palestinian cities and villages from each other and increasing the suffering of citizens.
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Settlement activity in the West Bank has increased in an unprecedented manner since the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, as the number of settlers rose from 115,000 to nearly one million settlers. Israeli settlements now occupy the equivalent of 50 per cent of the area of the West Bank. Bypass roads and huge settlement areas were established, hence cutting off Palestinian cities, isolating villages and turning Palestinian areas into small, disconnected pockets.
The recent decision by the Israeli government to cancel the implementation of the disengagement from some settlements in the northern West Bank, such as the Homesh and Kadim settlements, is considered an additional step towards annexing the entire West Bank and imposing complete control over it. This decision reflects the Israeli policy aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause and eliminating any hope of establishing an independent Palestinian State.
The PA is facing unprecedented challenges, most notably the weakening of governmental, semi-governmental, civil and even international institutions, the best example of which is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the dismantling of the economic, security and even infrastructure by the Occupation government. It is also experiencing the weakening of its ability to confront the Occupation’s policies. Moreover, the Israeli government has frozen financial transfers to the PA, which has exacerbated the economic crisis and put more pressure on citizens.
This systematic weakening of the PA serves the interests of the Occupation, as it makes it easier for it to implement its expansionist policies. However, some Israeli analysts believe that the collapse of the PA could lead to widespread chaos that poses a greater threat to Israel itself.
Israel relies on a well-thought-out strategy to strengthen and reinforce its Occupation of the West Bank. This strategy includes annexing the Jordan Valley and major settlement blocs, and expanding settlements in a manner that makes the West Bank similar to the areas occupied in 1948 in terms of architectural form and infrastructure.
The Israeli plans aim to divide the West Bank into three separate territories, connected by roads designated for settlers only, and impose strict movement permits on Palestinians. This division effectively eliminates any possibility of establishing a sovereign Palestinian State.
Israeli policies are being implemented with unprecedented confidence, thanks to American complicity and international support. Since the Oslo Accords were signed, Israel has been able to ease international pressure on it, while normalisation with Arab countries has increased Israel’s ability to impose its settlement policies. Meanwhile, the Palestinian issue has remained internationally neglected.
Despite these challenges, the Palestinians’ commitment to their land remains a decisive factor in confronting Israeli policies. The West Bank is now at a crossroads. If the situation continues as it is, the Occupation will move forward with annexing the lands and killing any possibility of establishing a Palestinian State. However, if the Palestinians unite behind a new strategic vision, they may be able to hinder the Israeli plan and restore their legitimate rights.
What is happening in the West Bank is not just a local issue but is also a test for international justice and humanity as a whole. Silence in the face of these crimes will only lead to more violence and instability in the entire region. It is time to take international action to put an end to these aggressive policies and guarantee the Palestinian people their right to live with dignity on their land.
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This article appeared in Arabic in Al-Ayyam on 12 January, 2025.
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.