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How did Israeli settlements and the status of East Jerusalem complicate Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank?

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Panoramic view of a small valley with a stream, olive trees, and terraced hillsides in the countryside near Ramallah, Palestine, under a sky with scattered clouds. — Palestine View from a small valley with a stream between large hills of olive groves.

The expansion of Israeli settlements and the status of East Jerusalem have significantly complicated the development of Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank. These factors directly impact the territorial contiguity and political viability of a future Palestinian state.12

Impact of Settlements

Since the 1967 Six-Day War, the proliferation of settlements throughout the West Bank has created a fragmented landscape. While the Oslo Accords established the Palestinian Authority to provide civil administration, the continued growth of these communities—now housing hundreds of thousands of settlers—has hindered the ability of Palestinians to maintain cohesive control over their territory.12

The Role of East Jerusalem

East Jerusalem serves as a critical point of contention. Israel’s unilateral annexation of the area, which is not recognized by most of the international community, has effectively separated it from the rest of the West Bank. Because East Jerusalem is a major urban center with a large Palestinian population, its exclusion from Palestinian governance and the implementation of policies such as movement restrictions and housing demolitions have further isolated Palestinian communities, cutting them off from essential services and economic hinterlands.132