Israel's Settlement Policy Creates International Friction

Israel is reportedly considering a range of responses to potential British measures against settlements in the West Bank. This follows an incident where Israel expelled Dutch representatives from a coordination office in Kiryat Gat in protest of new Dutch legislation banning trade with settlements. These actions signal to other nations that such moves will impact bilateral relations. The article criticizes Israel's approach as trying to 'have its cake and eat it too,' attempting to pursue settlement expansion while expecting international acceptance.

While the article acknowledges the historical and political complexities surrounding the territories occupied since the 1967 Six-Day War, it emphasizes that international law, particularly concerning occupied territories, remains applicable. International law prohibits acquiring territory by force, does not recognize occupation as a basis for sovereignty, and mandates the occupying power to protect the local population while forbidding the transfer of its own civilian population into occupied territory.

For decades, Israel maintained an administrative distinction between Israel proper and the territories, with settlement construction requiring security approval. This distinction was reflected in international agreements, such as those with the European Union, which granted benefits to Israeli institutions but excluded those in the territories. However, the current Israeli government, by placing the Civil Administration under civilian control within the Defense Ministry, has blurred this line, with further steps aimed at erasing the Green Line. This suggests a de facto policy of permanent control over the territories, avoiding official annexation to circumvent international law and the potential creation of a binational state.

This strategy of de facto annexation, without formal declaration, leads to international backlash. As other countries, particularly European trading partners, identify this trend and the rising violence against civilians, they refuse to cooperate. The author argues that if Israel wishes to annex the territories, it must accept the international consequences. Alternatively, if it does not wish to annex, it should not expect the world to treat the territories as part of Israel. The article concludes that Israel must make a clear choice about its future intentions.