Unlawful Foundations: The Mass Regularization of Illegal Outposts in the West Bank
In 2024, the Minister in the Ministry of Defense, Bezalel Smotrich, ordered the Civil Administration to regularize 70 illegal outposts (35% of existing outposts) allowing Israeli settlers to circumvent the law, build outposts in illegal areas, and connect to infrastructure with impunity and without prior planning approval. At the same time, Palestinians in Area C face planning restrictions, home demolitions, and struggle to access fundamental necessities like water and electricity. Regularizing illegal outposts undermines the rule of law, perpetuates two unequal legal systems for Israelis and Palestinians, and fosters further territorial and infrastructural chaos which exacerbates tensions and instability in the region.
To read the summary of our position paper, click here.
To read the full document, click here.
In 2024, the Minister in the Ministry of Defense, Bezalel Smotrich, ordered the Civil Administration to regularize 70 illegal outposts (35% of existing outposts) allowing Israeli settlers to circumvent the law, build outposts in illegal areas, and connect to infrastructure with impunity and without prior planning approval. At the same time, Palestinians in Area C face planning restrictions, home demolitions, and struggle to access fundamental necessities like water and electricity. Regularizing illegal outposts undermines the rule of law, perpetuates two unequal legal systems for Israelis and Palestinians, and fosters further territorial and infrastructural chaos which exacerbates tensions and instability in the region.
To read the summary of our position paper, click here.
To read the full document, click here.
