A new chapter in the contentious history of Israeli settlements unfolded recently as a group of thirty families returned to the long-closed settlement of Kadim in the occupied West Bank. This move, driven by rising Jewish nationalism under the current Israeli government, has ignited fierce international criticism and heightened fears among local Palestinian residents.
A Return to Kadim
On Thursday, a contingent of “pioneer families” arrived at Kadim, a settlement that had been shuttered for nearly two decades following a previous government’s unilateral disengagement plan. The settlers, many of whom came from Tel Aviv, travelled in convoy, displaying Israeli flags as they traversed Palestinian territory. They brought with them essential supplies, including bedding, furniture, and construction materials, signalling their intent to establish a permanent presence.
The Israeli government has lifted a long-standing ban on Jewish settlements around Jenin, a decision that has caused alarm among Palestinians. All Israeli settlements in the West Bank are deemed illegal under international law, a status that extends to outposts, which, despite being illegal, often receive state support.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent figure in the far-right government, celebrated the re-establishment of Kadim, describing it as a rectification of past injustices. “Twenty-one years after the crime of expulsion from northern Samaria, we have returned to the settlement of Kadim,” he proclaimed at the opening ceremony, flanked by key government officials.
Local Reactions: Fear and Resignation
The return of settlers to Kadim has been met with trepidation from Palestinian residents, who recall the earlier coexistence and subsequent expulsion of settlers in 2005. One local farmer, who has lived in the area for over half a century, expressed his anxiety about the renewed settlement activity. “I watched Kadim being built, and later, I saw the settlers forced out. Now, I fear the escalation of events around us,” he lamented, recounting how his family was displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
Since the closure of Kadim and three other settlements in the region, the Israeli government has reversed its policies, allowing settlers to return. Kadim is the last of the four settlements evacuated in 2005 to be reopened, following the earlier resettlement of Ganim, Sanur, and Homesh.
Expanding Settlements Amid Political Uncertainty
The current Israeli administration, which took office in late 2022, has accelerated the establishment of new settlements, approving more than 100 across the West Bank, including 19 in the northern regions. This rapid expansion is seen by critics as a strategic move to solidify control over the area ahead of the upcoming elections in October.
One of the newly established settlements, Emek Dotan, has already seen the arrival of Jewish families. Local Palestinian teacher Samer Jaber has voiced his distress as he observes the daily disruptions caused by settlers. “They film us, invade our privacy, and intimidate us,” he explained, highlighting the psychological toll on his family. The atmosphere of fear is palpable, with Jaber noting that he feels utterly defenceless against the armed settlers.
Military Presence and Escalating Tensions
Accompanying the settlement expansion is a significant increase in military infrastructure. Two new Israeli military bases are under construction, and a military outpost is being erected on land adjacent to the Jenin Refugee Camp—marking a troubling development as it is the first of its kind to be built on territory fully controlled by the Palestinian Authority since the Oslo Accords.
Kamal Abu al-Rub, the Governor of Jenin, expressed grave concerns about the implications of this military presence, suggesting that it might facilitate further settler encroachment into Palestinian urban areas. “We now live in the hell orchestrated by them and their assaults,” he stated, drawing attention to the restrictions on movement and the destruction of Palestinian property.
Why it Matters
The reopening of Kadim and the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements are emblematic of a broader trend that threatens to exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region. The actions of the Israeli government not only undermine international law but also perpetuate a cycle of fear and violence among Palestinian communities. As political dynamics shift within Israel, the impact of these developments resonates beyond borders, challenging the prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East. The world watches closely as the countdown to the Israeli elections unfolds, with potential repercussions for both communities involved.
