Growing West Bank Violence Threatens Prospects for Two-State Solution
The recent surge in violence in the West Bank is posing a serious threat to the already fragile two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The escalation of violence since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7 has led to the displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank, increasing pressure not only on the Palestinian Authority but also on neighboring countries like Jordan, which will inevitably be impacted by the instability on its borders.
The West Bank has been plagued by violence for years, but the situation has taken a dangerous turn in recent months. Raids, military checkpoints, and other restrictions have intensified in various cities, communities, and refugee camps, fueling violent clashes. In April, an Israeli police raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque triggered a wave of violence that lasted for days. Similar provocations occurred in September, just weeks before the Hamas attack into southern Israel, which was partially a response to the clashes that took place at the holy site earlier in the year.
The Israeli government has been prioritizing the stabilization of the West Bank, reallocating military resources to protect settlers in the region. However, this approach has drawn criticism for diverting attention and resources away from other security concerns, such as the situation in Gaza.
According to data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Israeli forces have killed 150 Palestinians in the West Bank, including 44 children, between October 7th and November 11th. Eight other Palestinians were killed by Israeli settlers during the same period. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently condemned settler violence and pledged to take action against it. The Biden administration has also expressed concern about the escalating violence and has called out extremist settlers for exacerbating the situation.
Both Israeli settlers’ violence against Palestinians and lethal attacks by Palestinians against Israelis in the West Bank have reached a two-decade high, according to the New York Times. In response, Israel’s minister for national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has promised to provide guns to settlers and establish security squads trained and organized by the police. This move is accompanied by a significant loosening of controls on civilian gun licensing in Israel, leading to a tripling of gun ownership among civilians.
The violence in the West Bank has also resulted in the displacement of Palestinians, further straining the Palestinian Authority’s credibility. Over 1,100 Palestinians have been forced to leave their communities since the beginning of this year, with six Palestinian communities abandoned just since October 7. The broader context of settler violence is linked to Israeli efforts to annex territories in the West Bank, which has been enabled by the Israeli government’s permissiveness toward settlers.
While international attention has been focused on the conflict’s potential second front in northern Israel, the deteriorating situation in the West Bank could have far-reaching consequences for the trajectory of the conflict and any future political resolution. It is crucial for all parties involved to address the deep-rooted causes of the violence and seek lasting solutions that uphold the rights and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.
