Israeli settlers establish outpost on Palestinian land

Israeli settlers have reportedly established a new settlement outpost on Palestinian land, which is located in the town of Jamma’in, south of Nablus in the Occupied West Bank, according to the Middle East Eye and agencies on November 27th.

This new outpost was established just days after Israeli media reported on November 20th that a new settlement had been created in the Gush Etzion area, located south of Bethlehem.

At least two outposts have been established within the West Bank since November, with settlers using bulldozers to set up and expand an outpost in Jabal al-Najma, near Qaryut, as reported on November 13th.

It was reported on November 26th, a settlement outpost was established within the Bedouin community of  Shallal al-Auja, located north of Jericho. Settlers reportedly erected structures in the ruins of an abandoned house, while also building metal barracks and internal divisions on the site.

More than 100 settlements have been constructed by Israel in the West Bank, with some resembling small towns and suburbs with parks, malls and apartment blocks.

An estimated 700,000 Israelis reside in roughly 160 settlements across the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem, with the number expected to grow amid the possible annexation of 82% of the West Bank to build over 3,400 new homes for settlers and connect West Bank settlements to those in Jerusalem.

Palestinian territories have been under Israeli occupation following their capture during the 1967 Six-Day War, which also led to the capture of the the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights.

Palestinians in the occupied territories are facing escalating violence from settlers and Israeli authorities, who are accused of failing to protect Palestinians from violent settlers.

Some Israeli government officials have actively enabled the violence, including the National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose department, the National Security Ministry, illegally distributed weapons licences to certain settlers.

Since October 2023, the Israeli government has signalled an increased inclination towards discriminatory policies, including passing 30 laws which allegedly further entrench a system of apartheid. 

It was reported on November 26th, that a bill that would make it easier for Jewish people to purchase West Bank land received approval from the Israeli Foreign Affairs and Defence committee. The bill is likely linked to a broader campaign of maintaining a Jewish demographic majority.

Israel’s “Law of Return” has allowed Jews from anywhere in the world to emigrate to Israel, with the government providing incentives, to encourage settlement in the occupied territories. This is despite the the Israeli government facing repeated condemnation for its attempts at territorial expansion.

Middle East Eye and agencies, Maghrebi.org