This report details the violent manifestations of the Israeli Occupation, both through its practices and its architecture. Before beginning analysis, it is important to emphasize that all its settlements and outposts are considered illegal under international law. They violate the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its population to the area it occupies.

The settlements are enclaves of Israeli sovereignty that have fragmented the occupied West Bank, making any future Palestinian state resemble a series of small Bantustans, or black-only townships, of former South Africa.

The United Nations has condemned these settlements through numerous resolutions   and   votes.   In   2016,   a   United   Nations   Security   Council   resolution declared that the settlements have “no legal validity.” However, the United States, Israel’s closest ally, has provided diplomatic cover for Israel over the years. Washington has consistently used its veto power at the UN to protect Israel from diplomatic censure. Meanwhile, Israel authorizes and encourages settlements. Though it deems outposts as illegal under its laws, Israel has in recent years retrospectively legalized several outposts.