The situation in the occupied Palestinian territories continues to deteriorate, with escalating Israeli settlement activities posing a grave threat to the future of Palestinian communities and their land. Recent reports highlight a renewed assault on land rights, particularly in the Jerusalem Governorate and the Northern Jordan Valley, echoing a pattern of systematic dispossession. These actions, characterized by a multitude of legal maneuvers and forceful land grabs, are significantly expanding the “settlement project” at the expense of Palestinian livelihoods and territorial integrity. This article will delve into the specifics of these escalating settlement expansion initiatives, exploring their impact and the strategies employed by Israeli authorities.
Escalating Settlement Activity in Jerusalem and the Northern Jordan Valley
The National Office for the Defense of the Land and Resisting Settlement has documented a surge in settlement activity targeting the Jerusalem Governorate and the Northern Jordan Valley. This isn’t simply about isolated incidents; it represents a coordinated effort with far-reaching consequences for surrounding areas like the Tubas Governorate and the future of agricultural lands therein. The goal, according to the report, is the entrenchment of the occupation through incremental and often legally dubious means.
Utilizing Multiple Legal Instruments for Land Seizure
Israeli authorities are employing a diverse arsenal of tactics to seize Palestinian land, masking their intentions behind different designations. These range from “military orders” to “judicial orders”, all yielding the same outcome: the facilitation of settlement expansion. This layered approach complicates legal challenges and creates an atmosphere of uncertainty for Palestinian landowners.
Recently, military orders have been issued authorizing the seizure of extensive areas in the Tubas Governorate and Northern Jordan Valley to construct a military road. This road traverses both privately owned land (with registered title deeds – tabu) and state land, affecting areas including Ain Shibli, the Bqai’a plain southeast of Tubas, Ainoun near the Tubas plain, Yerza east of Tubas, and stretching eastward towards the village of Tiyasir.
The Strategic Military Road: A Path to De Facto Annexation
Estimates regarding the length and impact of this new military road vary. The Committee Against the Wall and Settlement reports that the planned route, as indicated in project maps, exceeds 22 kilometers, confiscating approximately 1042 dunams of Palestinian land. This transformation from a purportedly temporary military access route to a strategic corridor represents a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Northern Jordan Valley.
It’s a crucial step towards de facto annexation, incrementally altering the physical and legal foundations of the region. This will restrict access for farmers and shepherds to crucial eastern plains, effectively crippling the economic and environmental backbone of the area. Some sources suggest the road will ultimately extend over 40 kilometers, linking Ain Shibli to the Tiyasir checkpoint. Ongoing excavation work near the eastern entrance of Ain Shibli is focused on relocating the Hamra military checkpoint closer to the village, further isolating the Governorate and enabling the seizure of an additional 180,000 dunams.
Expanding Existing Settlements Through Judicial Maneuvers
Alongside the military orders, Israel is leveraging the judicial system to further consolidate its grip on the West Bank. Avai Blut, designated as the commander of the Central Region of the Israeli army, has authorized 10 new judicial powers geared towards intensifying settlement building and upgrading existing outposts – previously unauthorized settlements – into fully recognized communities with associated benefits and development plans. This includes:
- Judair (Tiftes) in the Tulkarm Governorate.
- Lashm in the Salfit Governorate.
- Carm Ra’im (formerly a separated neighborhood of Talmon settlement) in the Ramallah Governorate, now designated a standalone settlement.
- Ne’eria east of Deir Ammar in the Ramallah Governorate.
- Aput & Gilead Farm in the Qalqilya Governorate.
- Ivi Hanachal in the Bethlehem Governorate.
- Modifications to the boundaries of Meshua’ot & Har Adar in the Jerusalem Governorate.
Since the beginning of 2025, a total of 39 new judicial areas have been defined, and 30 new settlements have been granted official status, aligning with the government’s goal of establishing 50 new settlements in the West Bank. Defining a judicial area is pivotal for settlement infrastructure and master planning.
Increased Pressure on Palestinian Communities in East Jerusalem
The aggression isn’t limited to the Jordan Valley. Israeli authorities are also increasing pressure on Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem. An order was issued to confiscate over 77 dunams of land belonging to residents of the Al-Za’im and Al-’Isawiya towns, located east of Jerusalem. This is part of a wider strategy to seize land surrounding East Jerusalem.
Additionally, settlers have established a new outpost in the Sur Baher neighborhood of East Jerusalem, fencing off 10 dunams of land. Sources suggest this is linked to the El’ad Settlement Association and represents the initial phase of a larger settlement project. A study by the NGO “B’tselem” reveals government exploitation of settlement processes to enable state and settler groups to seize Palestinian land in East Jerusalem and register it under the Settlement Regulation Law, enacted in 2018.
Demolition Orders and Economic Warfare
Demolition orders are being issued for commercial properties in Jerusalem, justified by claims of lacking proper building permits. However, Palestinians believe these actions are linked to ongoing settler projects, specifically the E1 project, which aims to construct a new settlement spanning 12 square kilometers east of Jerusalem. These demolitions constitute a comprehensive attack on the Palestinian economy and social fabric.
Legislative Changes Facilitating Land Acquisition
A significant legislative step, recently approved in its first reading by the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, would allow settlers to directly purchase land in the West Bank without requiring approval from the Civil Administration. This law, dubbed “Canceling Discrimination in the Purchase of Property in Judea and Samaria,” aims to repeal a Jordanian law restricting land sales to foreigners. It is viewed as a major advancement in the plan for annexation and the assertion of Israeli sovereignty.
A Pattern of Violence and Impunity
Organizations like “B’tselem” highlight a pervasive atmosphere of impunity fueling the violence. Since October 2023, over 1000 Palestinians have been killed, including 217 minors, with at least 21 fatalities attributed to settler violence. Israeli forces are accused of employing lenient trigger policies and arming settlers within regional defense squads. Despite extensive documentation of attacks, investigations are rare and convictions are almost non-existent.
The situation requires urgent international attention and accountability. The systematic dismantling of Palestinian land rights, driven by relentless settlement expansion, threatens the viability of a two-state solution and perpetuates a cycle of conflict and injustice. Without effective intervention and a commitment to upholding international law, the future for Palestinians in the occupied territories remains deeply uncertain.