The Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies
Dr. Ahmad Al-Atrash's study provides an in-depth analysis of the geography of Israeli settlements, detailing the underlying policies, their significant impacts on Palestinian life, and the future prospects for Palestinians in terms of demography, economy, environment, and most crucially, politics.
The study reveals that Israeli settlements are strategically designed to be permanent fixtures, aiming to create a demographic reality that hinders the Palestinian people's ability to establish a state on their land, as outlined in international resolutions. Palestinian communities in the West Bank find themselves fragmented into isolated cantons, encircled by settlements, physical barriers like the Wall, and bypass roads, complicating the achievement of geographical continuity.
A'as Atrash explores the extensive negative impact of Israeli settlements on the Palestinian population in the occupied West Bank, affecting various aspects of life, including production, trade, services, and overall living standards and income distribution.
The study specifically addresses the economic losses incurred due to these settlements, emphasizing the substantial restrictions on Palestinian movement and the confiscation of natural resources, which account for an estimated 10.2% of the West Bank’s GDP. Atrash notes that these calculations consider not just the value of the natural resources but also their contribution to the overall GDP and the income generated for laborers, vital for driving the economy.
Nabil AlSaleh's report, "Settler Violence and its Impact on Palestinians," offers a comprehensive analysis of the repercussions of settler activities in the occupied territories on Palestinian human rights. The report collates data from various non-governmental organizations, focusing on the impact of settlements on human rights and humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, particularly in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
AlSaleh's report sheds light on how settler violence impairs Palestinians' rights to freedom of movement, access to resources, and the ability to maintain decent living standards. It delves into the consequences of land confiscation and physical barriers on Palestinians' rights to property ownership, construction, and expansion. The report also examines the detrimental effects of settler activities on health and education services, employment opportunities, and social and cultural connections.
This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the positions and policies of Israeli political parties and movements concerning the Israeli settlement project post-Oslo. It traces the evolution of these stances since the 1967 occupation of Palestinian territories, delving into the key debates, terminologies, and milestones that have shaped the discourse.
The research underscores various ideological, pragmatic, political, and demographic factors influencing the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories of 1967. These elements have charted the course of settlement development, determined its nature, and demarcated its distinct phases.
Ramallah: the Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies (MADAR) has published a research paper entitled: The settlers’ vision of their status and the political solution of the conflict: from “Gush Emunim” to the Jewish Home (HaBayit HaYehudi), written by Mohanad Mustafa, of 88 pages.
This text discusses the allocation of budgets and economic policies related to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The study focuses on observing the private budgets allocated to settlements by government ministries, analyzing the budgets of local authorities within settlement regions compared to those in other areas, and examining tax laws that provide exemptions and tax privileges to settlers and settlements.
The Repercussions of the War against Gaza on Israel's Relations with Russia and Turkey: Will There Be Fundamental Changes?
On the collapse of the concept of "moving away from America and the West and replacing them with new friends": "Netanyahu was looking for comfortable political partners, even at the cost of harming Israel's national security."
Israeli Affairs (Issue no. 91)
