According to a report by Reuters on September 6, two people familiar with the matter said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the demolition of some Jewish settlement outposts in the West Bank. This move comes amid US pressure, which demands Israel to crack down on settlers' attacks against Palestinians.
According to sources, the order applies to settlements established without official authorization from the Israeli government. These settlements are usually made up of prefabricated trailer houses, and they house a small number of settlers. The Israeli government occasionally demolishes such structures, but it has also officially recognized some settlements, allowing them to receive government funding.
United Nations agencies and a majority of national governments view the West Bank as being under military control and occupied territory. Israel, however, considers the region to be disputed territory, not under occupation.
According to sources, Netanyahu’s order to dismantle unauthorized outposts was a response to pressing pressure on his closest ally, the United States.
U.S. Ambassador Michael Harkab on 5th of December met with several Palestinian-American citizens in a West Bank town near Jordan River, and condemned settlers as terrorists, calling for severe measures against them.
Israeli website Ynet earlier reported that the order targeted about 100 outposts in the occupied territories.
Israeli Finance Minister Buzly Smotrych said during a meeting in Jerusalem that Netanyahu had "directed the removal of facilities built in Area A and Area B." These areas refer to the regions in the West Bank where most Palestinians reside.
According to the Temporary Peace Agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in the 1990s, the West Bank was divided into three regions: A, B, and C. Region A was under full Palestinian control; Region B was managed by Palestinians for civil affairs, but security matters were jointly managed by Israel and Palestinians; Region C, which covered 60% of the West Bank, was under complete Israeli control.
Smotrich himself is a resident who was responsible for the settlement housing project and has officially recognized houses that were built illegally. He said, "Although I do not agree with Netanyahu's decision," the government has made significant progress in advancing the settlements in Area C.
According to the Israeli organization “Now for Peace”, there are currently 340 outposts on the West Bank, along with 146 settlements that have been officially recognized by the Israeli government. The organization criticizes the expansion of these settlements and advocates for a two-state solution.
Last month, Jewish settlers encircled the Palestinian houses in a nearby village, including the home of a Palestinian-American. The military later removed the settlers from the area. The Palestinian residents of the village reported that they continued to suffer harassment and intimidation by Israeli settlers.
Additionally, a Palestinian woman and a team from NBC News in the United States were also attacked by masked Jewish settlers on the 29th, resulting in injuries. Netanyahu stated that these "individual thugs" are damaging Israel's image.
Reuters noted that although the Israeli government condemns the violent actions of settlers, very few of those who commit violence are arrested, and even fewer are prosecuted.
On the 5th, U.S. Ambassador Hecabi stated that taking action against settlers who commit ‘criminal acts and terrorism’ is in Israel’s own interests.
At present, it is not clear when the demolition operation will begin.
