Israeli Farm Map Reveals Vast Land Holdings in West Bank

The umbrella organization of Israeli farms in the West Bank has released a map detailing the extensive land area they claim to protect through agriculture and grazing. The map, published for the first time, shows these farms encompassing over 1.1 million dunams (approximately 271,800 acres). This is contrasted with about 200,000 dunams (approximately 49,400 acres) held within established settlements and towns in the region.

One farm owner explained that for every dunam held by built-up settlements, nearly six additional dunams are maintained by these agricultural outposts. The map illustrates a network of farms spread across the Jordan Valley, the Samarian mountains, northern Samaria, southern Mount Hebron, and the Judean Desert, maintaining continuous agricultural presence and land stewardship.

The organization's guiding principle is "Where the Jewish plow passes, there our border will pass." Veteran participants in the farm project emphasize that living Hebrew agriculture solidifies land claims, serving as a crucial tool for land preservation, regional shaping, and long-term settlement.

The map's release follows a year of significant growth for the farm initiative, marked by the establishment of new farms, the strengthening of existing ones, herd expansion, infrastructure improvements, and increased security measures, all contributing to a larger area under agricultural preservation. The organization stated that the 1.1 million dunams represent a "agricultural and settlement revolution."

However, the map has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli peace organizations. Peace Now labeled it a "map of terror and annexation," asserting that these farms and outposts, with government backing and funding, have become "terror nests" that have seized land and violently displaced Palestinian communities. The Standing Together movement described the farms as the "executive arm of the government's policy," accusing the current Israeli government of leading a policy of dispossession and terror against Palestinians, which they claim is funded by taxpayers and makes life a "hell" for Palestinians while undermining Israeli security.