Written by: Jihad Harb

In the last ten months, since October 7, 2023, there has been a rapid acceleration in settlement activities. These efforts, often driven by settlers through what is termed "pastoral settlement," have focused on seizing large areas, particularly in the southern West Bank and the regions east of Ramallah, south of Nablus, and Jericho. This encompasses the land stretching from the eastern mountains to the Jordan River, an area rich in agricultural resources. In late June, the Israeli government further entrenched its control over Palestinian lands by legalizing five settlements, announcing the construction of 5,300 housing units, confiscating more than 12,000 dunums of land, and intensifying actions against Palestinian construction in Area B. The settlers' civil administration also extended its influence over nature reserves, reinforcing Israeli dominance in the West Bank.

The settlement and gradual annexation of the West Bank are part of the "decisive plan" endorsed by Smotrich and the government coalition agreement, which outlines the process of actual annexation. This plan is being implemented in two ways: silently through Israeli military institutions in collaboration with settler leaders, and through the violent actions of settlers in the West Bank. The Israeli government supports these activities by granting settlers various privileges, including economic and security benefits, such as protecting settler attacks and persecuting Palestinians. Additionally, the government provides "legal" tools to legitimize the settlement process in the West Bank, while also creating conditions that facilitate the forced and voluntary displacement of Palestinians from these areas.

The deepening of settlement activity in the West Bank, whether by increasing the settler population or altering the geography of areas "C" and "B," involves terrorizing Palestinians through the destruction of crops, land seizures, and the disruption of livelihoods. Organized attacks on Palestinian towns and villages, including the burning of vehicles and homes, are tactics used to prevent the establishment of a viable Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967. These actions aim to alter the character of the region and its indigenous population, ultimately advancing the settlement agenda in favor of the settlers.

In contrast, official Palestinian efforts to counter settlements and settler violence remain limited and disorganized, relying on two traditional approaches. The first approach involves engaging with the international community, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, and pursuing diplomatic efforts with various countries, which have led to sanctions against some "violent" settlers. The second approach involves initiating responses to settlements through official and popular means, such as establishing popular committees. However, these efforts have not adequately addressed or organized measures to protect Palestinian lives and property. Settlers have conducted organized attacks on eighteen Palestinian villages and towns across the West Bank, including killing citizens, burning homes, vehicles, and crops, and obstructing movement and access to land and sources of livelihood.

At the same time, Palestinian citizens, particularly those in towns and villages under threat, are increasingly inclined toward self-reliance and "armed" confrontation to confront settler attacks. A public opinion poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in June 2024 revealed that the largest percentage (45%) of West Bank residents believe the most effective response to settler attacks is forming armed groups composed of residents from the targeted areas. In contrast, 27% favored deploying Palestinian security forces to these areas, 19% supported urging the Israeli army to take effective measures against settler attacks, and only 6% preferred forming unarmed groups from the local population. In contrast, a 2016 poll by the same center on security issues indicated that 29% of respondents wanted to form unarmed local defense committees, 44% preferred deploying Palestinian security forces in targeted villages and towns, and 23% advocated returning to an armed intifada.

The recent surge in the frequency and violence of settler attacks over the last ten months, combined with the Israeli government's expansion of settlement projects and the similarity of these attacks to those preceding the 1948 Nakba, heightens the concern of their recurrence in the West Bank. This context explains the shift in popular sentiment regarding the protection of citizens and their property from settler violence, reflecting the increased urgency to address the rising threat.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's views and not necessarily the Association's or donor's opinion.