How far does Israeli colonization extend?

The interview sparked reactions on social networks. The philosopher and writer Bernard-Henri Lévy spoke on March 21 on CNews and Europe 1 on the situation in Israel, and more particularly on the colonies established in the Palestinian territories. “The Jewish colonies, a large number of them are illegal. Three caravans on top of a hill, it’s not leprosy or the plague arriving in Arab lands either“, he explained. Which colonies is he referring to?

Some Israeli settlements are today towns, such as Modiin illit, populated by 83,356 inhabitants, or that of Beitar illit and its 64,016 settlers. These towns have their own businesses, schools and security systems. To understand the extent of this colonization, we must explore the past. In 1967, Israel waged a blitzkrieg against its Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian neighbors. It lasts six days and the Israeli army occupies the Sinai, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and the Golan Heights.

Illegal settlements

The first Jewish settlements were established in recently conquered areas, with little or no population. These populations will constantly grow. According to the Israeli NGO Peace Now, nearly 500,000 people live in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory, and are spread across 300 settlements. They are all considered illegal by the international community. They are contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which defines the law of occupation, as recalled by François Dubuisson, professor of international law.

Israel fully assumes these occupations and every year, new wild colonies emerge. Sometimes, these are indeed simple barracks run by ultranationalist settlers. But these precarious installations are far from being representative of the extent of Israeli colonization.