Settlers’ Economic War on Palestine: A Calculated Assault on Industry and Livelihoods

The latest wave of settler violence in the occupied West Bank has targeted Palestinian factories and farmland, highlighting that Israel’s occupation is as much about economics as it is about politics. The arson attacks, property damage, and intimidation tactics employed by Israeli settlers are a carefully calculated assault on the foundations of Palestinian industry and livelihoods.

Since July alone, settler attacks have resulted in 440 incidents of property damage, 67 confiscations and thefts, and the vandalism or poisoning of over 5,000 trees. This is not terrorism but a deliberate strategy to exhaust Palestinian resources, deplete their economic capacity, and ultimately force them off their land.

Industrial facilities in Area B and Area C have been systematically targeted by settlers, with factories like al-Junaidi dairy in Tulkarem being attacked repeatedly. Economist Moayad Afanah has warned that these attacks succeed in “exhausting the Palestinian economy and continuously depleting its resources and facilities.” The campaign to paralyze the local economy has been underway for years.

The settler campaign is not just about economic sabotage; it’s a key component of Israel’s broader strategy to control West Bank land and expand its colonial presence. Settlers’ actions create a coercive environment that pushes Palestinians to withdraw from their homes, opening the way for Israeli expansion.

For years, the international community has been told that the settlements are an “obstacle” to peace, a problem to be solved through negotiations. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that these settlements are not just an obstacle; they’re a fundamental aspect of Israel’s occupation – economic and territorial in nature.

The international community must recognize this reality and address the root causes of Palestinian poverty and dispossession. It’s no longer enough to simply condemn settler violence or call for “two-state solutions.” A more nuanced understanding of the occupation is needed, one that acknowledges its economic dimensions and the ways in which Israeli policies have created an environment of dependency and exploitation.

The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CRRC) has done crucial work documenting the impact of settlements on Palestinian livelihoods. However, documentation alone is not enough. A fundamental shift in our approach to the occupation is required – one that prioritizes economic development, self-determination, and the rights of Palestinians to their land and resources.

The fate of the West Bank’s industrial sector hangs in the balance. Will we allow Israeli settlers to continue their campaign of economic sabotage, or will we work towards a more just and equitable future for all? The choice is clear – but the consequences of our inaction will be far-reaching and devastating.