Israeli Settlers Demand Official Recognition, Including in Areas A and B

Ahead of upcoming elections, Israeli settlement activists are pushing for a "revolutionary" policy shift that would grant official recognition and state support to existing settlements, including those located in Areas A and B of the West Bank and on private land. For years, new settlement outposts have been established through civilian initiatives on the ground, but activists now seek state backing and formalization.

Activists argue that the current political climate presents an "opportunity window" to advance their agenda. They plan to leverage public officials through legislative proposals, policy changes, and property regularization. "We want to move up a level," stated Shelevet Goldstein, a settlement activist from Giv'at Oz Esther, emphasizing the goal of securing institutional backing for the settlement movement. Yehuda Lieber, a resident of Giv'at Oz Tzion, highlighted the need for basic infrastructure, educational facilities, and security for families already living in these outposts.

The primary obstacles identified by activists are the legal and political complexities stemming from the Oslo Accords, which divided land into Areas A, B, and C, and the issue of private land registration. These factors create a situation where most of the territory is not officially recognized as Jewish-owned, making it difficult for the state to approve settlements. Despite these challenges, activists insist the state must acknowledge the existing reality, with some outposts already housing dozens of families.

Naftali Auerbach, also a resident of Giv'at Oz Esther, explained the rationale: "We want and demand that the state recognize and support settlement on private lands and in Areas A and B." He questioned why the state opposes, rather than supports, pioneering settlement efforts. Lieber further elaborated on the discrepancy between recognized settlements and these outposts, pointing out the absurdity of ignoring locations not situated on official state land, even when they are designated as private Palestinian land from the Jordanian era.

To advance their vision, activists propose practical measures such as legislative proposals to repeal the Oslo Accords, unique land registration for the West Bank, and the utilization of absentee property laws. They also suggest interim solutions like expropriation orders, land re-registration, or defining an outpost as a security component eligible for inclusion in Area B. Beyond legal avenues, they stress the immediate need for the state to provide direct support for daily needs like security, education, and infrastructure, even before final regularization is achieved. The overarching goal, according to Auerbach, is "free settlement throughout the country, recognized, planned, and supported by the authorities," believing the post-October 7th reality necessitates a shift in the state's approach to settlement.