Israel Re-Establishes Closed West Bank Settlement, Defying International Protests

The re-establishment of Kadim, a West Bank settlement closed for two decades, marks a significant shift in Israeli policy towards the occupied territories. Thirty pioneer families have arrived with military escort, flapping blue and white flags, indicating that the Israeli government has chosen to defy growing international protests rather than heed them.

This move is part of a broader strategy by Israel’s current administration to expand settlements across the West Bank. Since taking power in late 2022, they have approved over 100 new settlements, including 19 in the northern West Bank. The speed and scale of this construction project are unprecedented. Hagit Ofran, director of the Settlement Watch programme at Peace Now, attributes it to a “race” by the Israeli government to solidify their presence before elections scheduled for October.

The expansion has far-reaching implications and is deeply worrying for Palestinian residents like a vegetable farmer interviewed near Kadim. He fears that settlers will return to areas from which they were forcibly removed two decades ago, bringing with them aggression and disregard for local livelihoods. His account highlights the cyclical nature of displacement and its devastating effects on human lives.

The international community has consistently condemned Israeli settlements as illegal under international law. However, this stance seems increasingly irrelevant in the face of Israel’s actions. As Ofran points out, Europe, America, China, and Russia are preoccupied with other global crises, leaving Palestinians feeling abandoned and isolated.

The re-establishment of Kadim comes at a time when international pressure on the settlements has been mounting. The United Nations has repeatedly condemned Israel’s settlement policies, and various countries have imposed economic sanctions in response. Yet, despite these efforts, the Israeli government seems determined to push forward with its expansion plans.

This policy will undermine any semblance of peace negotiations and erode the already fragile trust between Israelis and Palestinians. As Samer Jaber, a teacher from Emek Dotan, noted in an interview, groups of settlers regularly stand outside his house, filming him and his family. The fear that dominates everything is palpable.

The Israeli government’s actions are a worrying sign for the future of the region. Will the international community continue to turn a blind eye as Israel’s settlements encroach further into Palestinian territory? Or will there be a renewed effort to re-engage in meaningful dialogue, one that acknowledges the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians?

The answer lies not in grand gestures or diplomatic posturing but in the small actions taken by individuals like Ofran and Jaber. Their tireless advocacy and the support they receive from those willing to listen might yet find a way out of this seemingly intractable conflict.

But for now, as Israel’s West Bank expansion continues unabated, it is worth remembering Jaber’s words: “Civilisation, progress and modernity are lies.”