Chicago – July 03, 2024
Israeli authorities have approved the biggest land seizure in the West Bank in over thirty years, according to the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now. This decision, made by Israel’s government late last month and revealed on Wednesday, involves taking over 12.7 square kilometres (4.9 square miles) of land in the Jordan Valley.
This brings the total amount of land seized by Israel in the West Bank this year to 23.7 square kilometres (9.15 square miles), making 2024 a record year for these land grabs, says Peace Now. The Jordan Valley land is located northeast of Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority is based.
By declaring this area state land, the Israeli government has made it available for Israelis to lease. This means that private Palestinian ownership of this land is now prohibited. This move has sparked concern and criticism, as it impacts the lives and properties of Palestinians living in these areas. Peace Now and other organizations continue monitoring and reporting on these West Bank developments.
