In the illegal Jewish settlement of Havat Gilad, located in the occupied West Bank, a chilling statement reflects the sentiment of many residents: “International law is a joke, it’s a lie. There is no international law.” This assertion comes from Yehuda Shimon, who stands among approximately 70 families living in houses that resemble flimsy construction sites in a community not recognized by Israeli authorities.
Havat Gilad’s position within the Palestinian territories renders its existence illegal by international standards. A recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice confirmed this, reminding Israel that it must return all lands and properties seized from Palestinians since 1967. “Even the Israeli Supreme Court declares that living here is illegal, but it means nothing,” Shimon asserts.
In 2023, Israel’s government took steps to legitimize 22 settlements in the occupied West Bank—a record number for a single year. The numbers for 2024 suggest an even greater escalation, with the state confiscating thousands of hectares in the coveted Jordan Valley, approving around 5,300 new homes in settlements, and legalizing five outposts, including Eviatar near Nablus, according to the NGO Peace Now. As it stands, Israel administers 82% of the West Bank, a situation that complicates any hopes for a future Palestinian state.
Shimon argues that there is no room for two states in this scenario. For him and others, the biblical land of Israel belongs solely to the Jewish people, while others are merely “guests.” Just a few kilometers south of Havat Gilad is Eviatar, another recently legalized settlement that authorities declared state-owned just weeks ago. Malkiel Bar-Hai, responsible for the security of Eviatar, highlights its strategic location near a busy intersection in central West Bank that connects the Jordan Valley to the Mediterranean coast.
The rapid legalization of Eviatar, initially founded in 2013 and reestablished in 2021, likely stems from this strategic importance. Bar-Hai mentions that a military detachment oversees security in the small settlement of about 20 families, supported by armed civilians under his command. Many Israelis justify the settlements not as a divine right but as a necessary measure for Israel’s security.
Reflecting on the past, Bar-Hai recalls the 2005 evacuation of settlements from Gaza ordered by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. This withdrawal resulted in many colonists losing their homes, paving the way for Hamas to take control—an interpretation held by many settlers. Figures like Shimon and Serah Lisson, a resident of Eviatar, believe that a return to Gaza for settlers is only a matter of time, asserting, “It’s not a question of if we will return, but when.”
With recognition comes permanence, and with that permanence, expansion. A prime example is Ariel, a settlement in central West Bank with around 25,000 residents. This town boasts a university, industrial zone, and plans for thousands of new homes for young Israeli families priced out of cities like Tel Aviv or Haifa. Yair Chetboun, the newly elected mayor, proudly claims, “In ten years, we will be 40,000,” emphasizing his desire for a good relationship with nearby Palestinian communities, even though restrictions on Palestinian workers have tightened since October 7.
Chetboun’s proclamations mask a broader colonial agenda. He asserts that Ariel plays a crucial role in the security of surrounding settlements and the coastal cities. “If the army is deployed in one area, they can monitor Palestinian activities. Any area we leave unguarded becomes a blind spot for potential attacks,” he explains.
The Israeli NGO B’Tselem highlights that many private Palestinian lands remain inaccessible to their owners within Ariel’s municipal boundaries. Additionally, the settlement’s location obstructs the growth of nearby Palestinian towns, isolating them from one another, which reveals the complex and contentious dynamics of the region.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2024/07/22/los-colonos-israelies-en-cisjordania-la-ley-internacional-es-un-chiste/
