Settlements

Israeli settlements — or colonies — are civilian communities inhabited by Israeli citizens, almost exclusively Jewish, in the occupied Palestinian territories. They are illegal under international law. There are over 200 settlements across the West Bank, and over half are formally approved by the Israeli government, which offers financial incentives for Israeli citizens to settle there. Almost 500,000 Israelis live in these illegal West Bank settlements, with an additional 215,000 living illegally on occupied Palestinian land in East Jerusalem. 

Learn more from these resources:

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Institute for Middle East Understanding- Quick Facts: Israel’s West Bank Settlement Enterprise

B’Tselem - Settlements

Amnesty International- Israeli Settlements and International Law

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United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs- West Bank Access Restrictions

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