New data reveals expansion of Israeli settlement jurisdiction in West Bank

A study released in June by the Israeli human rights organization Bimkom indicates a significant acceleration in the Israeli government's expansion of settlement jurisdiction in the West Bank since October 2023. The findings reveal that 114 military orders have been issued to establish, expand, or divide settlement jurisdiction areas. This number is comparable to the total issued over the previous 22 years combined, highlighting a dramatic shift in policy.

Collectively, these orders have added approximately 6,200 acres to Israeli settlement municipal jurisdictions and led to the establishment of 53 new settlements. The data shows that settlement expansion has continued at an accelerated pace even during the ongoing war in Gaza, with administrative measures being employed alongside physical construction in Area C of the West Bank. These measures are reshaping administrative boundaries and reserving land for Israeli control and future development.

Jurisdiction orders are decrees issued by the IDF that designate specific areas in the West Bank as part of an Israeli settlement. These orders create the legal framework for future expansion by redefining administrative boundaries, often before any construction begins. Bimkom's analysis describes these as 'legal' land grabs that occur without public debate, court oversight, or recourse for Palestinians. Once land falls under a settlement's jurisdiction, it is generally unavailable for Palestinian development, farming, or construction, regardless of immediate building plans.

The rapid increase in these orders signifies a strategic shift in how settlement expansion is conducted. Instead of solely relying on approvals for new housing projects, Israeli authorities are increasingly focused on expanding the territorial footprint of settlements through administrative decisions that attract less public attention. The study noted that many changes involved extending existing settlement boundaries, while others formalized previously unrecognized settlement outposts. In some instances, jurisdiction areas were divided or reorganized, enabling the establishment of new settlements under separate municipal administrations.

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They [settlement jurisdiction areas] are 'legal' land grabs that happen without any public debate, court oversight, or Palestinian recourse.