Israel’s Occupation of Palestinian Territory: A Legacy of Dispossession and Segregation

A Quarter Century of Occupation

Twenty-five years have passed since Israel officially annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, solidifying its occupation of Palestinian territory. Despite numerous peace efforts, including the Oslo Accords and Camp David negotiations, Israel has refused to withdraw from the West Bank.

The Oslo Accords: A Temporary Solution?

The Oslo Accords, signed in 1993, were intended as a temporary arrangement. However, a final agreement was never reached. Instead, the West Bank was divided into Areas A, B, and C, with varying degrees of Israeli control. The Palestinian Authority (PA) was established, but its authority is limited.

Israel’s Continued Expansion

Since then, Israel has continued to expand settlements in the West Bank, despite international opposition. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), between 2009 and February 2023:

• Over 10,472 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished, displacing more than 15,825 Palestinians.
• Israel has continued to construct a separation wall, which stretches for approximately 708 kilometers through the West Bank.

The Separation Wall: A Barrier to Peace

Only about 15% of the wall follows the 1967 Green Line, with the rest encroaching on Palestinian territory. This construction has further divided communities and limited Palestinians’ access to basic services.

International Recognition

Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank is not recognized by most countries in the world. The international community still considers these territories to be illegally occupied by Israel. Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of any future Palestinian state.

A Divided World: Country Positions on Jerusalem

• The United States recognizes unified Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, despite widespread opposition from the global community.
• Russia recognizes West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and East Jerusalem as “the capital of the future Palestinian state.”
• Australia recently reversed its recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

A Legacy of Suffering

The Israeli occupation continues to be a source of great suffering for Palestinians, who face restrictions on their movement, access to basic services, and economic opportunities. As long as Israel maintains its occupation, the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict remain bleak.