A good year for settlements; a bad year for Israel
2023 settlement activity
Peace Now reports:
The year 2023 in the West Bank was one of the most challenging years for the prospects of a political resolution based on two states between Israel and the Palestinians. However, for the settlement enterprise, it was probably the best year since the Oslo Accords. The formation of the Netanyahu government in December 2022 created unprecedented conditions for the expansion of settlements, including the promotion of a record number of construction plans, minimal law enforcement against illegal settler activity, substantial budgets, and, most significantly, almost unconditional political support for settlers, even in cases involving violence against Palestinians.
- Key Findings:
a. Establishment of new outposts and displacement of Palestinian communities – A record number of 26 new outposts were established during 2023, while 21 Palestinian communities were forcibly displaced from their homes.
b. Advancement of construction plans – A record number of 12,349 housing units were promoted in settlements in the West Bank (East Jerusalem excluded).
c. The legalization of 15 illegal outposts was advanced.
d. Structural and administrative changes towards annexation of the Occupied Territories.
e. Development and promotion of roads – Allocation of approximately 3 billion Shekels for roads in settlements, constituting around 20% of the total Israeli road investment.
a. Establishment of New Outposts
In 2023, settlers established at least 26 new illegal outposts, with at least ten of them established during the war since October 7, 2023, and at least 18 of them being agricultural farms. This marks a record number since the phenomenon of outposts began under the Netanyahu government in 1996. Additionally, settlers established a new settlement within the city of Hebron by entering and residing in a Palestinian house that they claim to have bought.