Land War: The Battle over Israel’s Settlements

As Washington gears up for a showdown over Israel's settlements, settlers are taking matters into their own hands.

By , International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for Colombia.

Showdown: From the moment U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held their first official meeting at the White House on May 18, it was clear they would disagree more than the two countries’ leaders have at any time in recent memory. The flash point is equally apparent: settlements. The more than 100 settlements in the West Bank — home to upwards of 300,000 Jews — have seen no shortage of controversy since Israel’s independence. Under the previous U.S. administration, Israel could count on Washington for at least tacit support for some aspects of settlement growth. But today, that’s changing.

The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements, Obama told an applauding audience in Cairo Thursday. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. Above, a settler mourns the destruction of the unauthorized West Bank outpost of Maoz Ester on June 3 after Israeli policemen demolished it for a second time, under pressure from the international community.

Photo: URIEL SINAI/Getty Images

Elizabeth Dickinson is International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for Colombia.

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.