Editor’s be aware, November 9, 2023: This story has been up to date to mirror particulars of the present Israel-Hamas conflict. For all of Vox’s newest protection on Israel and Palestine, see our storystream.
The West Financial institution is a piece of land east of Israel. It’s residence to almost 3 million Palestinians, and would make up the center of any Palestinian state. Israel took management of it from Jordan in 1967 and has allowed Jewish settlers to maneuver in, however Palestinians (and many of the worldwide group) take into account it illegally occupied Palestinian land.
In 1967, Israel fought a conflict with Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Israel fired the primary shot, however claims it was preempting an imminent Egyptian assault; Arabs disagree, casting Israel as an aggressor. In six days, Israel routed the Arab powers, taking the West Financial institution and East Jerusalem from Jordan.
Israel has managed the West Financial institution because the Six-Day Struggle, because it’s referred to as. For a lot of Jews, that is fantastic information in concept: the West Financial institution — which Israel additionally calls Judea and Samaria —was the heartland of the traditional Jewish state. It’s residence to many Jewish holy websites, just like the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, that Jews had been beforehand minimize off from. In observe, Israeli management of the West Financial institution means navy administration of a territory stuffed with Palestinians who chafe below Israeli restrictions.
The border between Israel and the West Financial institution would in all probability have to alter in any peace deal.
There are about 700,000 Jewish settlers dwelling within the West Financial institution, lots of whom reside close to the border with Israel. In a two-state deal, a major variety of settlers — two years in the past, the quantity was estimated round 185,000, a quantity that’s possible solely grown — must go away the West Financial institution, whereas some border settlements would change into Israeli land. In trade, Israel would give over a few of its territory to Palestine. These could be referred to as “land swaps.” No set of Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed throughout peace negotiations on the place, precisely, the borders needs to be.
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