According to a new report released by the pro-settler group WestBankJewishPopulationStats.com, the population of Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has increased by nearly 3% in 2023. The report, which is based on statistics from the Israeli government, reveals that the settler population grew from 502,991 in 2022 to 517,407 by the end of 2023.
This significant growth marks a 15% increase over the past five years and is a milestone as the settler population crossed the half-million mark last year. The report also predicts further 'accelerated growth' in the coming years, attributing this trend to the recent conflict triggered by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel. The attack apparently led many Israelis who had previously opposed settlement-building on occupied land to change their positions.
The West Bank, along with East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Mideast war. While the Palestinians seek these areas for an independent state, the international community largely considers Israel's settlements in the West Bank to be illegal and a hindrance to the peace process, as they occupy land that the Palestinians claim as their own.
However, Israel sees the West Bank as 'disputed' territory and believes its fate should be determined through negotiations. The Biden administration recently imposed sanctions on four settlers for their involvement in violence against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank.
The report also projects that if the current growth rate continues, the settler population in the West Bank will surpass 600,000 by 2030. It is important to note that these figures do not include the population of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem, where more than 200,000 Israelis live. The Palestinians, on the other hand, consider East Jerusalem as their future capital.
The government of Israel is largely dominated by settler leaders and supporters, which has led to a rapid approval process for settlement plans. The watchdog group Terrestrial Jerusalem reveals that since the start of the war in Gaza on Oct. 7, three settlement plans have either been approved or are on the verge of being approved in East Jerusalem. This accelerated pace of settlement approvals has been described as 'frenetic' by Terrestrial Jerusalem.
Unfortunately, this report comes at a time when the West Bank is experiencing a surge in violence. Following the Hamas attack, Israel has imposed strict control over the region, limiting movement and conducting frequent raids on alleged militant targets. Palestinian health officials claim that 391 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank during this period, with most deaths occurring during clashes with Israeli forces. The Israeli rights group Yesh Din has documented incidents of Israeli civilian violence, including the shooting deaths of nine Palestinians within the first month and a half of the war.
As the settler population in the occupied West Bank continues to grow, tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians escalate. The expansion of Israeli settlements remains a contentious issue, hindering the prospects of a lasting peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. The international community is closely observing these developments and urging both parties to engage in meaningful negotiations to address the complex issues surrounding settlements and the future of the West Bank.
