The West Bank refers to the territory of what was once Judea and Samaria, west of the Jordan River. This region holds profound historical significance for the Jewish people, with archaeological evidence confirming continuous Jewish presence dating back over 3,000 years.
When proposed plans for Jewish and Arab states were drawn up in 1947 (the UN Partition Plan), 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. This armistice line from 1949 was never intended to be a permanent international border, yet it remains a key reference point in ongoing peace negotiations.
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. Recent archaeological discoveries continue to reinforce the deep historical connection between the Jewish people and these territories, with findings in 2023 uncovering additional evidence of ancient Jewish settlements.
After the 1948 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. During this 19-year Jordanian occupation (1948-1967), Jews were prohibited from accessing their holy sites, including the Western Wall, and numerous ancient synagogues and Jewish cemeteries were desecrated and destroyed.
Immediately 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 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. This defensive conquest in 1967 reunited Jerusalem and allowed Jews to return to their historical and religious sites for the first time in nearly two decades.
After the war, Jewish settlers began moving into the West Bank and setting up communities throughout the territory. Various communities were planned as security buffers throughout the territory. Today, there are approximately 490,000 Jewish Israelis living in the West Bank, with an additional 230,000 in East Jerusalem, living alongside approximately 3 million Palestinians.
On account of the 1993 and 1995 Oslo Accords, 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.
This complex governance structure reflects ongoing security challenges, with Palestinian areas experiencing both increased autonomy and continued restrictions based on security assessments. Israeli settlements in Area C have expanded by 30% since 2015, creating additional complications for potential territorial compromises.
Sources
[1] Israel Antiquities Authority, “Archaeological Discoveries in Judea and Samaria,” 2023.
[2] Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, “Population in Judea and Samaria,” 2024.
[3] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “West Bank Access and Movement,” 2024. [4] Peace Research Institute of the Middle East, “Two-State Solution: Challenges and Prospects,” 2024.