Driving in the West Bank: An Overview

Geographic and Demographic Background

• Region: West Bank, territory often referred to as Palestine
• Population: ~3 million, with ~20% Jewish Israeli settlers
• Distinction: Palestinian towns (green) vs. Israeli settlements (blue)

Historical Context

Pre-1948

• Land controlled by Great Britain
• UN plan: split land into Israel (Jewish) and Palestine (Arab)
• Jews accepted; declared independence; Arab states rejected; declared war
• Result: Israel expanded beyond UN-designated borders

1948-1967

• Ceasefire line ("Green Line"): Israel and territory controlled by Jordan (West Bank)
• 1967: Israel wins another war, seizes West Bank

Post-1967

• Israel's dilemma: integrate West Bank, return to Jordan, or create Palestinian state?
• Settler movement: Israeli civilians move into West Bank
• The UN's stance: Settlements are illegal and obstruct peace
• Israeli government initially debates, then supports settlements

Development of Settlements

• Government support: Roads, building permits, planned communities
• Settlements become institutionalized, integrated into Israeli society
• Maps show growth and impact on Palestinian towns

Response and International Reactions

• Palestinian protests and violence increase
• International condemnation accompanies settlement activities
• 1990s: Oslo Accords attempt to address issues, splitting the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C
  • Area A: Palestinian control
  • Area B: Mixed control (Palestinian governance, Israeli security)
  • Area C: Israeli control
• Impact on Palestinians: Restricted movement, economic hardships due to limited access to resources

Contemporary Issues

• Increased settlement activity post-2005 after Gaza Strip evacuations
• Settlements now with modern infrastructure: schools, hospitals, university
• Two-state solution increasingly challenging due to settlement integration

Looking Ahead

• Future videos will explore life inside the settlements, with interviews from settlers