Stealing land: how do Israel’s settlement tactics work?

Under the Oslo Accords of 1993 and 1995, the West Bank, which had been occupied by Israel in 1967, was divided into three zones. Area A came under the administration of the Palestinian Authority, and Area B came under joint Palestinian and Israeli control. Israel was granted military control over Area C, an area covering more than 60 per cent of the West Bank.

The Oslo Accords were intended as a temporary arrangement that would lead, within five years, to a final peace agreement, under which Area C would be transferred to the Palestinian Authority. However, this transfer never took place and the provisions of the accords have steadily eroded. In practice, Israel remains active in Areas A and B and, to this day, retains control over security, planning and construction in Area C.

Since 1967, Israel has pursued an active settlement policy in the West Bank. These settlements contribute to the fragmentation of Palestinian territories, turning towns and villages in Areas A and B into enclaves that are becoming increasingly isolated, whilst Palestinians are being driven out of Area C. In practice, this means that – in combination with military barriers, roadblocks and infrastructure that is often accessible exclusively to settlers – Palestinians’ freedom of movement is further restricted and their livelihoods are put under pressure.

The E1 project forms part of a wider trend in which the quality of life in Palestinian territories is coming under increasing pressure. Although this contravenes international law, settlement construction remains possible due to Israel’s decades-long control over Area C of the West Bank and the lack of concrete action by the international community.

What is the E1 project?

The development of the E1 settlement bloc to the east of Jerusalem marks a new phase in the fragmentation of the West Bank. The construction project is situated near the large illegal Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, an area to the east of East Jerusalem that extends deep into the West Bank. There are already settlements in that area. The construction of the E1 settlement is designed to create a chain of settlements that together form a strip linking the north and south of the West Bank. The expansion of the settlement will therefore effectively split the West Bank in two. Palestinians are unable to travel, or find it much more difficult to do so, between the north and south, even though this is their own territory and the Israeli settlements there are illegal.

Plans for E1 have existed since the 1990s, but were held up for a long time due to international pressure. There is still broad international support for a two-state solution, including from the Netherlands. In 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion concluding that the Israeli occupation is unlawful, that no new settlements may be established, that existing settlements must be dismantled, and that other countries must not contribute to the occupation.

Building in an E1 zone is illegal

The Dutch government recognises that settlements contravene international law and that construction projects in the E1 area are illegal. Together with other countries, the Netherlands has called on companies not to participate in tenders for E1 construction projects. However, without clear consequences for both companies and the Israeli state, impunity persists and the prospect of a Palestinian state is slipping further and further out of sight. International law is thus, sadly not for the first time, being further compromised.

These developments not only pose a threat to the freedom of movement and livelihoods of Palestinians in the area, but also place further pressure on the viability of a two-state solution. By restricting Palestinians’ access to East Jerusalem, the prospect of East Jerusalem serving as the capital of a Palestinian state becomes increasingly unlikely. Furthermore, the fragmentation of the West Bank creates further administrative and economic barriers that stand in the way of the establishment of a unified Palestinian state.

Through its settlement policy, Israel has gained lasting strategic control over a large part of the West Bank. This process of annexation – with E1 as the next step – is openly embraced by the Israeli authorities.

The fact that Israel is now resuming its expansion plans for E1, despite international pressure, shows that this is a defining moment for the future. International pressure and concrete measures are needed, because Israel will not stop of its own accord. The Netherlands must take concrete action to halt the construction of E1 and put an end to impunity.