How Israeli settler aggression destroys Palestinian livelihood | DW News

Key Concepts

• Land Grab: Seizure of land, particularly in the occupied West Bank.
• Jordan Valley: The most fertile agricultural region in the West Bank.
• Settlements: Israeli communities built on land in the occupied West Bank, considered illegal under international law.
• State Land: Land declared by Israeli authorities as belonging to the state, often used for settlement expansion.
• International Law: Legal principles governing relations between states, including the Geneva Convention regarding occupying powers.
• Annexation: The act of incorporating territory into an existing state.
• Reclassification of Land: The process by which Israeli authorities designate Palestinian-owned or worked land as "state land."

Land Seizure and Settlement Expansion in the Jordan Valley

The report details Israel's significant land seizure in the occupied West Bank, described as its biggest in 30 years, focusing on the Jordan Valley. This fertile region is crucial for Palestinian agriculture and would be a vital component of any future Palestinian state.

Impact on Palestinian Farmers in Beetan Village

The village of Beetan, located on the edge of the Jordan Valley, is experiencing severe challenges to its agricultural sector.

• Disruption of Work: Farmers like Yazid report being harassed by settlers and soldiers who inspect their IDs and prevent them from working in their greenhouses.
• Destruction of Infrastructure: Radical settlers have reportedly destroyed an important water well by filling the main water supply line with cement, impacting all farmers in the area.
• Economic Hardship: Many residents returned to Beetan for work after their permits to work in Israel were revoked post-October 7th. The village council had been supporting greenhouse projects to create income, but further expansion is now hindered by limited access to land.
• Quote: "We come here to work, but settlers and soldiers arrive, inspect our IDs, and prevent us from doing our jobs." - Yazid, a farmer in Beetan.
• Quote: "The price is a colonial Zionist occupation which is being backed by settlers. They have begun harassing us." - Head of the Beetan village council.

Israeli Policies and Land Confiscation

• Declaration of State Land: The village of Beetan is situated near an area declared "state land" by Israeli authorities.
• Scale of Confiscation: In 2024, Israel confiscated over 20 square kilometers of the Jordan Valley, the largest land seizure in decades. This land is earmarked for new settlements.
• Emboldened Settlers: Official Israeli policies, despite international condemnation of settlements, appear to embolden settlers to intimidate and sabotage Palestinian farmers.

Challenges in Market Access and Economic Impact

• Movement Restrictions: Accessing larger markets for produce has become significantly more difficult, especially since October 7th.
• Delays and Spoilage: Trucks from Beetan must cross multiple checkpoints, leading to long delays. For example, a journey that previously took an hour to Ramallah now takes over three hours, risking produce spoilage.
• Reduced Income: These delays have halved the income for many vendors across the West Bank.
• Quote: "During the past decades, more than half of the Jordan Valley has been seized through Israeli settlement expansion." - Naser Jahub.
• Quote: "It is systematic because they won't build the big Israeli state without Palestinians only for Jewish people, only for Israeli people." - Naser Jahub.

Broader Political and Legal Context

• Settlement Expansion as Official Policy: The expansion of settlements is presented as part of Israel's official policy, involving the reclassification of Palestinian land as "state land" for future settlement construction.
• US Stance: The United States has stated it does not support Israeli annexation of the West Bank, but a statement from the US Secretary of State, Mr. Rubio, added the caveat "not right now," creating uncertainty.
• Violation of International Law: The Geneva Convention prohibits an occupying power from transferring its own population to the territory it occupies, a principle being violated by the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank since 1967.
• Intent to Prevent Palestinian Statehood: The expansion of settlements is seen as an explicit intent to "bury the idea of a Palestinian state," a long-standing goal of right-wing and far-right Israeli politicians.

Conclusion and Takeaways

The report highlights a systematic and escalating process of land confiscation and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, particularly in the Jordan Valley. This directly impacts Palestinian livelihoods through agricultural disruption and economic hardship. The actions are framed within a political agenda to consolidate Israeli control and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, despite international legal prohibitions and stated US opposition to annexation. The situation leaves Palestinians in a state of uncertainty regarding their future and the viability of a future Palestinian state.