While our eyes remain fixed on the unfolding genocide in Gaza, we have not looked away from the West Bank, where Palestinians are facing the largest wave of expulsions since 1967. Relentless attacks on refugee camps have left tens of thousands of Palestinians homeless. Over the past two years, dozens of shepherding communities have been wiped off the map — driven out by a campaign of settler violence backed by the Israeli army and police. Settler leaders are heralding the “historic transformation” that their efforts are bringing about on the ground.

During that time, Israeli military and settler violence has killed over 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank. Only a few days ago, longtime +972 Magazine contributor Awdah Hathaleen joined that list, after he was shot dead by a settler in his village of Umm Al-Khair, in the Masafer Yatta region.

This process did not begin in October 2023. But since the war began, the pace and severity of the expulsions has escalated dramatically. Armed settlers, some now donning military uniforms, descend daily on these communities, stealing livestock, raiding homes, and attacking residents. Together with my colleagues at +972 Magazine and Local Call, I have worked tirelessly to bring the world’s attention to these injustices. And we can only do that with your help.

Last month, Israel’s West Bank police chief, Moshe Pinchi, announced that he would be prioritizing the protection of the settlements over enforcing law and order. In reality, that has long been the state of affairs in the West Bank. As the only binational English-language news outlet working in Israel-Palestine, we continue to put time, effort, and resources into exposing this reality to the world.

So far this year, we have documented settlers establishing new outposts east of Ramallah and in the Jordan Valley, forcing entire Palestinian communities to flee their homes of decades within a matter of days, knowing no one would protect them. And the effort to seize land is no longer confined to Area C; in several cases, settlers have established outposts in Area B, and attempted to establish outposts in Area A. 

With the help of our generous readers, we will continue to shine a light on the transformations taking place in the West Bank, and to expose the daily reality of the occupation and apartheid to the world, as we continue to demand justice, freedom, and equality for all living between the river and sea. Help sustain our work — become a +972 Member today.