The West Bank refers to the territory of what was once Judea and Samaria, west of the Jordan River.
When proposed plans for Jewish and Arab states were drawn up in 1947, a green pencil was used to draw the border of the territory, thus the “Green Line” demarcates the border between the West Bank and Israel proper.
Prior to 1947, there were Jewish and Arab communities in the West Bank, which includes some of the most ancient Jewish cities, including Hebron, the burial place of the Jewish patriarchs and matriarchs.
After the Israeli War of Independence, the West Bank was occupied by the Kingdom of Jordan. This included East Jerusalem, and its Old City. Some of the Arab residents of the West Bank under Jordanian rule were given Jordanian citizenship.
Just before the Six Day War, Israel told King Hussein of Jordan that if he did not attack Israel, Israel would leave him and the West Bank alone. Nevertheless, Jordan joined in the war and, in two days, Israel conquered the entire city of Jerusalem, as well as the entirety of the West Bank up to the Jordan River.
After the war, Jewish settlers began moving into the West Bank and setting up communities throughout the territory. Today, there are approximately 450,000 – 500,000 Jewish settlers living in the West Bank.
On account of the Oslo Accords in 1995, the territory of the West Bank is divided into three parts:
- Area A: Governed by the Palestinian Authority, which has responsibility for all civil and security control;
- Area B: Governed civilly by the Palestinian Authority, but secured by the IDF.
- Area C: Entirely under Israeli military control.
In any final status negotiations for a two-state solution, the majority of the West Bank, and likely 100% of Gaza, will form the Palestinian State.