Authored by Khaled Anabtawi, this 144-page book delves into the historical development of military rule in the West Bank. It explores the legal justifications, political context, and objectives that underpinned this rule, shedding light on the enduring features of the occupation, including land appropriation, denial of Palestinian sovereignty, societal control, and Palestinian confinement to isolated areas.

Anabtawi provides an analysis of Israel's military power and the so-called Civil Administration, with a particular focus on the period following the failure of the Camp David negotiations. The narrative takes into account significant shifts in Israeli politics, especially the ascendance of the right-wing ideology.

The book "Transformations in the Military Rule of the West Bank" zooms in on the growing involvement of Israeli agencies operating under the auspices of the "Coordinator" in Palestinian civil life. This includes direct engagement with Palestinian businesspeople to issue travel permits without involving Palestinian authorities. Steps have been taken to rejuvenate military institutions, positioning them as an alternative governing body alongside the Palestinian government. The Coordinator has even launched an Arabic-language webpage to facilitate direct communication between Israeli-occupying authorities and Palestinians.

About the author

Khaled Anabtawi is a research fellow and PhD candidate in Anthropology and Sociology at the Geneva Graduate Institute.