Israel Accused of Largest West Bank Displacement Since 1967

The Israeli government is reportedly pursuing a policy that amounts to the displacement of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, under the guise of encouraging "voluntary emigration." However, on the ground, Israel is executing a large-scale transfer campaign against Palestinians in the West Bank, a situation largely overshadowed by the ongoing war in Gaza. According to a Haaretz editorial, Israel is carrying out "actual, continuous mass displacement of Palestinian residents from their homes," a move that has garnered little attention within Israel. UN data indicates that over 33,000 residents of the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps have been unable to return to their homes since the "Iron Sword" military operation in January 2025.

This situation follows a High Court of Justice decision on Sunday, ordering Israeli authorities to provide a timeline for completing the necessary steps to allow residents of the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps to return home. The court also mandated exploring ways to expedite their return. This order came in response to a petition filed in September 2025 by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel on behalf of residents from the Jenin and Nur Shams camps, demanding the return of displaced individuals and the fulfillment of their humanitarian needs.

The petition described the displacement from the refugee camps as the "largest wave of displacement in the West Bank since 1967." Haaretz noted that Israel's approach often transforms temporary situations into permanent ones, even without explicit declaration. The "Iron Sword" operation, initially stated to target terrorist infrastructure, led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents within weeks. While the army initially claimed it was not evacuating residents, testimonies from residents indicated soldiers ordered them to leave and prevented their return.

Even after the Israeli military announced improved security objectives in August, it stated no intention of allowing residents to return. Furthermore, the army demolished homes within the refugee camps, leaving some residents with no homes to return to. Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected the High Court's intervention, asserting that Israeli forces would remain in the camps "long-term" and suggesting the need for special legislation if necessary. He argued that the court should not interfere with the army's operational activities, claiming they are aimed at protecting lives and are a matter of operational and security concern, not legal.

Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry, Bezalel Smotrich, also attacked the High Court, stating that "Israel's security is not subject to judicial review" and that the army is responsible for security. Haaretz characterized Smotrich's statements as "permanent deception by the representatives of the settlement project, who always hide their aspirations for control over all the land and the removal of its population through security claims." The newspaper warned that settlers and their government representatives aim to demolish refugee camps, and that Israel's attempts to prevent UNRWA activities suggest a larger plan to erase the Palestinian refugee issue. Haaretz emphasized that security considerations do not absolve the state of its duty to ensure the safety of West Bank residents and minimize harm to their rights. The court was urged to stop allowing the state to evade its obligations and to insist on swift action to allow tens of thousands of displaced individuals to return home, warning that preventing return constitutes a war crime and could lead to Israel facing charges for displacement.