Jewish Settlements Grow in West Bank During Gaza Conflict
- Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, Israel's government has accelerated land seizures in the West Bank.
- Jewish settlers have established new outposts at a rate not seen in decades.
- This expansion raises concerns about the stability in the region.
As the war in Gaza captures global attention, Jewish settlers in the West Bank are seizing the opportunity to expand their presence and control over land, according to monitoring group Kerem Navot. Founder Daniel Etkes noted that settlers are actively working to increase their numbers and territory, stating, "These are the right times to expand and to take as much as possible." Currently, there are nearly 150 government-authorized Jewish settlements and over 100 unauthorized outposts in the West Bank, marking the most significant land seizure for settlement purposes in over three decades, as reported by the Israeli group Peace Now. Etkes, who has been monitoring settlement growth since 2007, initially believed that the expansion could be curtailed in line with peace plans advocating for a Palestinian state. However, he now acknowledges a shift in dynamics, stating, "This place, that's it," referring to a newly established settlement that has received government approval. The process of formalizing a settlement can be lengthy, but the current political climate favors settler initiatives. The impact of violence against settlers often leads to the establishment of new outposts, further entrenching their presence in the region. With over 10% of Israel's Jewish population residing in territories captured during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, the situation remains contentious. Settlers like Serah Lisson from Evyater express confidence that settlement growth will continue, reflecting a broader trend of increasing Israeli control in the West Bank amidst ongoing conflict.