In a significant move that has raised alarms among Palestinian communities and drawn international condemnation, Israel has reinstated the Kadim settlement in the occupied West Bank, two decades after its closure. This resurgence of settlement activity, spearheaded by a new wave of Israeli settlers, reflects a robust shift in policy under the current Israeli government, which has been increasingly bolstered by nationalist sentiments.
A New Chapter in Settlement Expansion
On Thursday, approximately thirty families, described as “pioneer families,” made their way to Kadim from Tel Aviv, signalling a revival of this settlement, which had previously been dismantled as part of Israel’s disengagement from Gaza and other areas in 2005. The settlers arrived under military protection, driving past Palestinian villages adorned with the national flag as they transported belongings, including furniture and construction materials.
The Israeli government has lifted a long-standing ban on Jewish settlements in the vicinity of Jenin, a move that has instilled fear among local Palestinian residents. As a stark reminder of the controversial nature of these settlements, international law regards them as illegal, a stance echoed by various human rights organisations.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent figure in the far-right government, stated during the settlement’s reopening ceremony, “Twenty-one years after the crime of expulsion from northern Samaria, we have completed the correction and have returned to the settlement of Kadim,” invoking historical and religious narratives to justify the action.
Local Palestinian Reactions
The return of settlers to Kadim has sparked anxiety among Palestinians living in the area. One local farmer, who has witnessed the settlement’s evolution over the decades, expressed deep concern. “Back then, the settlers were living alongside us, and we coexisted peacefully. Now, I fear the events that may spread around us,” he lamented, recalling a time when mutual respect was prevalent. His family has been rooted in this land since fleeing Haifa during the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict.
The farmer’s apprehension is echoed by many in Jenin, who are witnessing the rapid expansion of settlements and the accompanying deterioration of their living conditions. “There’s no more displacement left in me,” he added, reflecting a profound sense of resignation amidst increasing tensions.
The Broader Context of Settlement Policy
Kadim’s reopening is part of a larger trend under Israel’s current administration, which has approved over 100 new settlements since coming to power in late 2022. This includes 19 in northern West Bank alone, as various new settlements rapidly take shape. The emergence of Emek Dotan, another new settlement near Jenin, has also raised concerns among neighbouring Palestinians, who report harassment and intimidation by incoming settlers.
Teacher Samer Jaber, residing adjacent to Emek Dotan, articulated the psychological toll of this situation. “Fear dominates everything. We are completely defenceless,” he stated, detailing the unsettling experiences of being filmed and intimidated by settlers. His narrative underscores the increasingly fraught coexistence between settlers and Palestinian residents, as acts of aggression and intimidation seem to escalate alongside settlement expansion.
Military Presence and Its Implications
In addition to the residential developments, Israel is constructing new military bases in the region, further entrenching its presence in Palestinian territories. A military outpost is being established on land seized from Palestinians, marking the first military base constructed on land under Palestinian Authority control since the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993. This has alarmed local officials, such as Jenin’s Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub, who fear that the military build-up is a precursor to further settlement encroachment in urban Palestinian centres.
“The past two decades without settlers around Jenin were bliss,” he lamented, contrasting the previous state of relative calm with the current climate of fear and instability. He expressed worry that the latest developments signal an intention to fragment Palestinian territories, akin to the situation in Hebron or Jerusalem.
Why it Matters
The resumption of the Kadim settlement is more than a real estate development; it signifies a critical juncture in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This decision not only exacerbates tensions on the ground but also undermines the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict. As settlement expansion continues unchecked, the immediate impact on Palestinian communities becomes increasingly dire, raising urgent questions about human rights, sovereignty, and the future of coexistence in the region. The international community’s response to these developments will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of peace efforts in this volatile landscape.