Israeli settlement

Israeli settlements are places where people from Israel live in areas that Israel took control of during the Six-Day War in 1967. These areas include the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and the Gaza Strip. Most of the people living there are Israeli citizens and identify as Jewish.

Many people believe these settlements break international rules, but Israel does not agree. In 2024, an important international court said Israel's control of these areas was wrong and asked Israel to stop building new settlements.

Over time, more and more Israeli settlers have moved to these areas. This has taken away land that Palestinian people need, making it hard for them to live and travel freely. This situation causes a lot of tension and disagreements about peace between Israel and Palestine.

Today, there are many settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas that Palestine wants to control. There are also settlements in the Golan Heights, which belongs to Syria. Some people think these settlements make it very hard to reach peace between Israel and Palestine. The world, including groups like the United Nations, often says these settlements are not allowed under international law. Different leaders and countries have different opinions on whether the settlements are right or wrong.

Name and characterization

Some people and Palestinians call these places "Israeli colonies" instead of "settlements." Settlements can be small farming villages or big city neighborhoods. Four large settlements, Modi'in Illit, Ma'ale Adumim, Beitar Illit, and Ariel, are considered cities. Ariel has about 18,000 people, while the others have between 37,000 and 55,500 people each.

Housing costs and state subventions

Living in Israeli settlements can be cheaper for Israeli families because housing costs are lower than in big cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The government spends more money on each person in these settlements compared to the rest of Israel. In some faraway settlements, the government spends even more. Most of this extra money helps keep people safe.

Number of settlements and inhabitants

Main article: List of Israeli settlements

As of January 2023, Israel has built 144 communities in the West Bank. Twelve of these are in East Jerusalem. There are also about 196 smaller areas not officially recognized by the Israeli government.

More than 529,000 people live in these communities in the West Bank. In East Jerusalem, about 246,000 more people live in similar communities.

Also, over 20,000 Israeli citizens live in communities in the Golan Heights.

History

Occupied territories

After the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel took control of several areas. This included parts of the West Bank including East Jerusalem from Jordan and the Gaza Strip from Egypt. Israel also took the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt and most of the Golan Heights from Syria.

Settlement policy

Starting in 1967, the Israeli government began encouraging people to move into these areas. The first settlement was Kfar Etzion in the West Bank. Many early settlements started as military outposts before becoming homes for families.

Israeli settlers in the Ofra settlement, Israeli-occupied West Bank, 2012

In the 1970s and 1980s, more settlements were built. Some leaders wanted to make sure Jewish communities stayed in these areas. By 2005, Israel removed settlements from the Gaza Strip, but building continued in the West Bank.

Since 1967, the Israeli government has supported building settlements in the West Bank. These settlements are managed by a special group linked to the government. In the 1990s, Israel agreed to limits on new settlements, but many small settlements kept growing.

Settlement area in the Gaza Strip (March 1999)

In 2005, Israel removed all settlements from the Gaza Strip. Still, the number of people living in settlements in the West Bank kept growing. New plans appeared to build more settlements in key areas of the West Bank.

Before 1977, only a few settlements existed in the Gaza Strip. With new leaders and policies, more settlements were built along Gaza’s southern border.

All settlements were protected by fences or barbed wire. They used local resources like water and took up land that could have been used by Palestinians.

Geography and municipal status

Upper left: Modiin blocUpper middle: Mountain ridge settlements outside barrierRight: Jordan ValleyL above center: Latrun salientCenter: Jerusalem envelope, Ma'ale Adumim at rightLower L of center: Etzion blocLower center: Judean DesertLower right: Dead Sea

Some settlements are like small cities with many people and all the normal parts of a town. Places like Beitar Illit and Ariel are examples of larger settlements. Others are smaller towns with fewer people, such as Efrat and Kiryat Arba. There are also groups of small villages that share services together. Examples include Kfar Adumim and Neve Daniel.

Under the Oslo Accords, the West Bank was split into three areas. Most settlements are in Area C, which makes up about 60% of the West Bank.

Types of settlement

Israeli settlements are places built by Israel in areas it took control of during a war in 1967. These places are lived in by Israeli citizens and come in many forms. There are larger towns and cities like Ariel, Betar Illit, Modi'in Illit, and Ma'ale Adumim. Some settlements are like suburbs close to cities, such as Har Gilo. Others are grouped together in blocks, like Gush Etzion and those near Nablus. There are also smaller villages along borders, such as the Jordan River, and very small settlements called outposts, which are sometimes built without permission.

Resettlement of former Jewish communities

Some settlements were built where Jewish communities lived long ago, during the time of the British rule in Palestine or even earlier. For example:

The Golan Heights had a community called Bnei Yehuda, started in 1890. It was left in 1920 because of attacks, but rebuilt in 1972.
Jerusalem has had Jewish people living there for thousands of years. Some areas like Silwan were settled by Jewish families from Yemen in 1884. They left in 1938 but some came back in 2004.
Gush Etzion had four communities built between 1927 and 1947. They were destroyed in 1948 and rebuilt after 1967.
Hebron had Jewish people since ancient times. They were forced to leave in 1929 but some returned later. A few buildings were settled again after 1967.
On the northern Dead Sea, Kalia and Beit HaArava were built in the 1930s and 1940s. They were left in 1948 and rebuilt after the Six-Day War.
Gaza City had Jewish people for many years who left after riots in 1929. Later, communities were built in nearby areas like Gush Katif, such as Kfar Darom, which was started in 1946, left in 1948, rebuilt in 1970, and left again in 2005.

Demographics

At the end of 2010, more than 500,000 Jewish Israelis lived in areas called the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Many of these people lived in special neighborhoods called settlements. These settlements were built in areas that Israel took control of during a war in 1967.

Settler population by year in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights 1972–2007

Over time, more and more Jewish Israelis moved into these settlements. By 2020, the number had grown to more than 650,000 people. Some of these settlements were approved by Israel, while others were not.

¹ including Sinai

² Janet Abu-Lughod mentions 500 settlers in Gaza in 1978 (excluding Sinai), and 1,000 in 1980

Many new people still move to these settlements each year. Some come from other countries to live there. The growth of these settlements has changed the area where many Palestinians used to live.

Settler population	1948	1972	1977	1980	1983	1993	2004	2007	2010	2014	2018	2019	2020	2022
West Bank (excluding Jerusalem)	480 (see Gush Etzion)	1,182	3,200 -4,400	17,400	22,800	111,600	234,500	276,500	314,100	400,000	427,800	441,600	451,700	503,000
Gaza Strip ²	30 (see Kfar Darom)	700 ¹	–		900	4,800	7,826	0
East Jerusalem	2,300 (see Jewish Quarter, Atarot, Neve Yaakov)	8,649	–		76,095	152,800	181,587	189,708	198,629	–	218,000	–	220,000	230,000
Total	2,810	10,531			99,795	269,200	423,913	467,478	512,769		645,800		671,700	733,000
Golan Heights	0	77	–		6,800	12,600	17,265	18,692	19,797	21,000	–	25,261	–

Administration and local government

West Bank

Main article: Judea and Samaria Area

Israeli settlements in the West Bank are managed under a special area called the Judea and Samaria Area. Since 2007, both the Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister must approve any new building plans there. The Israeli military and a group called the Civil Administration handle planning and building.

Map of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with Israeli Settlements, 2007

The West Bank has four main cities, thirteen smaller communities, and six regional groups that manage services for many towns together. These include places like Ariel, Betar Illit, and Maale Adumim.

A group called the Yesha Council represents all the settlement communities in the West Bank.

East Jerusalem

East Jerusalem was declared part of Israel and its capital in 1980. It is managed as part of the city of Jerusalem. People who lived there before 1967 and their families have special resident status but many choose not to become Israeli citizens.

Yamit in the Sinai, between 1975 and 1980, evacuated by Israel in 1982

Golan Heights

The Golan Heights is treated as part of northern Israel. Israel applies its normal laws there, with no special rules for the local Druze community or later settlements.

Sinai Peninsula

Neve Dekalim, Gaza Strip, evacuated by Israel in 2005

After Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula in 1967, they set up settlements along the coast and in the northeast. The town of Yamit was planned to grow very large, but never did. In 1979, as part of a peace agreement with Egypt, Israel returned the Sinai to Egypt. By 1982, all Israeli settlers left, and the settlements were taken down.

Gaza Strip

Before Israel left the Gaza Strip in 2005, there were settlements managed by the Hof Aza Regional Council.

Legal status

Main article: International law and Israeli settlements

Gilo, East Jerusalem

The International Court of Justice said in July 2024 that Israel's control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip is not allowed. The court said Israel must stop building new places for its people in these areas and leave.

Pisgat Ze'ev, East Jerusalem

Most of the world thinks these places, called settlements, break international rules. A big agreement called the Fourth Geneva Convention says that a country cannot move its own people into land it controls by war. Many United Nations decisions agree with this.

Israel, however, says its settlements are allowed. Israel does not think this agreement applies to them, but says it will try to follow some rules. Some Israeli scholars also say the settlements are not breaking any rules.

Under Israel's own laws, some smaller places called "illegal outposts" do not follow the rules.

In 2014, twelve European countries warned businesses that working with these settlements could bring legal and money problems, because the settlements are on land not recognized as part of Israel.

Land ownership

In 1996, a rule changed so that private land could not be used for settlements unless it was needed for the military. In 2006, a group called Peace Now shared a report saying Israel planned to keep land in the West Bank that belonged to Palestinians. They said this went against Israeli law.

In February 2008, it was said that more than a third of the settlements in the West Bank were built on land taken by the military for "security reasons." Some of this land was taken from Palestinian owners.

In 1979, the government decided to only build settlements on land owned by the state. Later, a secret report found that some settlements thought to be legal were actually built on private Palestinian land. Many settlements were built without proper approval from the Israeli government. Israel says most of the land was empty, leased from the state, or bought fairly from Palestinian landowners.

Some critics say that land called "empty" actually belonged to Arabs who had to leave, or to whole villages. There have been claims that some land was taken using unfair methods.

Elon Moreh, West Bank

Effects on Palestinian human rights

Some groups think that building new Israeli communities where Palestinians live has made life harder for them. They say this has limited where Palestinians can go and taken away land they could use.

There have also been reports of disagreements and problems between people living in these new communities and nearby Palestinian communities. Some roads built for the new communities are only for certain people, making it hard for others to travel between their homes and farms.

Economy

Israeli settlements make goods that can sell around the world because they get a lot of help from the Israeli government. This help includes support for farmers, tax breaks for companies, and money to pay customs penalties. Palestinian officials say settlers sell goods worth a lot of money to Palestinians each year. Israel has built industrial zones in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which have many factories. These zones give jobs to some Palestinians, even those who disagree with the settlements.

Settlements also have cheaper housing than in Israel, and the government spends more money on settlers than on regular Israelis. Most settlers work in Israel itself rather than in the settlements. Only a few settlements have successful industries, mostly using workers from Palestine.

Palestinian labour

Many Palestinians work in Israeli settlements because these jobs pay more than jobs in the West Bank. In 2013, about 20,000 Palestinians had jobs in settlements, such as construction, farming, and services.

Some people say that Palestinian workers in settlements do not always get the same protections as other workers. In 2007, a court decided that Palestinian workers should have the same rights as others. Many Palestinians still prefer jobs closer to home if they can find them.

Violence

Israeli settler violence

Main article: Israeli settler violence

Further information: Hilltop Youth

Some people living in areas where Israel built communities have done harmful things to others. In the past, there was an event where people were hurt while praying. Leaders in Israel and others said these actions were wrong.

Reports showed that some people in these communities acted out against others. Some leaders spoke out against these actions, saying they were wrong. The government said it would try to stop these actions and make sure the law is followed.

Olive trees

Some people have done harmful things to trees that are important to farmers. Reports said that many trees were cut down or burned. Some leaders talked about how these actions were not right.

Palestinian violence against settlers

Israeli people living in these communities have sometimes been hurt by others. Some groups have said these people are not protected, but others say that all people should be safe, no matter where they live. There have been sad events where people were hurt or killed. Leaders and groups have said these actions are wrong and that all people should be treated safely.

Pro-Palestinian activist violence

Some people who protest near these communities have been accused of causing trouble. A leader in Israel said these protests can be dangerous.

Environmental issues

Settlers in the West Bank have helped with cleaning up the environment, but they create more waste than local people. Some say this waste can harm the land and water nearby.

Both settlers and local people use the same water sources. Waste from either side can pollute these resources. Experts say waste isn’t always cleaned properly, which can be dangerous. Some factories run by settlers may cause pollution if they don’t follow rules.

Impact on Palestinian demographics

Israeli settlement policies have changed life for many Palestinian communities. Some people have had to leave their homes because of these changes.

There are worries that rules about building and getting things like energy make life harder for Palestinians. This can make it tough for people to stay in their homes, and it affects many families in the areas where this happens.

Educational institutions

Ariel University, once called the College of Judea and Samaria, is the main place for Israelis to study in the West Bank. Many students go there to learn about arts, sciences, technology, architecture, and physical therapy. It became a full university in 2012.

Other colleges train teachers. Examples include Herzog College in Alon Shvut and Orot Israel College in Elkana. Ohalo College is located in Katzrin, in the Golan Heights. These schools are watched over by a special education council.

Strategic significance

In 1983, Israel planned to build many homes for Jewish families in some parts of the West Bank. The idea was to make it harder for a Palestinian state to be created.

Some Palestinians think these homes were built to stop peace agreements and make it difficult for them to have their own country. An Israeli leader also believed that growing some settlements was trying to stop agreements with the Palestinians.

Israel’s government says some of these homes are allowed because they were built before certain peace treaties. They say the places for these homes were chosen to help protect Israel from possible attacks before peace treaties were made with nearby countries like Jordan, Syria, and Egypt.

Dismantling of settlements

Further information: Israel's unilateral disengagement plan

In 1982, Israel moved people away from 18 places in Sinai as part of a peace agreement with Egypt. Some people were moved by force, and buildings were torn down.

In 2005, Israel left the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. This included moving people from 21 settlements in Gaza and four in the West Bank. Many of these settlements had many people living in them. Some people in Israel did not agree with this plan.

After leaving, Israel tore down most buildings in these areas. Some greenhouses were left to help the local economy, but many were damaged.

Palestinian statehood bid of 2011

In 2011, Palestine tried to become an official country at the United Nations, known as the Palestine 194 plan. The United States refused to say that Israel's settlements broke international rules. Because of this, Palestine made its attempt.

When this happened, Israel announced plans for more settlements. Germany tried to stop sending special submarines to Israel. By 2012, some European countries changed their votes to support Palestine because of the building of settlements. In response, Israel approved more settlements, which led to more criticism from around the world.

Impact on peace process

Main article: Israeli–Palestinian peace process

The settlements have caused tension between Israel and other countries. Some leaders have said the settlements are not allowed, while others see them as a problem for making peace. In 2005, a leader said Israel should keep some areas where many settlers live. In 2009, another leader said Israel should not keep building settlements.

Palestinians feel that Israel is making it hard to make peace by building more settlements. In 1993, both sides agreed to talk about settlements later. Some ideas suggest that Israel could keep some settled areas if they give land back to the Palestinians in return. Leaders have talked about sharing land and finding ways for both sides to live together peacefully.

Settlement expansion

In June 2011, the Israeli cabinet changed who could approve new building in the West Bank. The power moved to the office of the Prime Minister.

In 2009, the new Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he would not build new settlements but would allow for growth as families grew. In April 2012, the government made four unofficial settlements official. In June 2012, plans were announced for new homes in five places.

In November 2013, Israel announced plans for new homes in nine settlements. Later that month, plans for many more homes were revealed.

The United Nations has asked Israel to stop building in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Reports show that Israel has continued to build more homes for settlers.

In 2019, Israel made money available to help build hotels in part of the West Bank. In 2021, new plans were announced for more homes.

In February 2023, the new Israeli government approved making nine unofficial settlements official. Later that year, rules were changed to make it easier to build more settlements. By the end of 2023, building had increased greatly.

In December 2025, Israel planned to create new settlements in the West Bank. In February 2026, Israel made changes to make it easier for settlers to buy land. Many countries said these actions break international rules and hurt hopes for peace. They asked Israel to change its plans.