The Separation Barrier

The route of the Separation Barrier, 85% of which runs inside the West Bank, has laid the groundwork for the de-facto annexation of most settlements and much land for their future expansion. The barrier broke up contiguous Palestinian urban and rural blocs, severed inter-community ties forged over generations, and abruptly imposed an arbitrary reconfiguration of space based on settlement boundaries and to suit the convenience of Israeli security forces. This follows Israel’s longstanding policy of using the West Bank to serve its own needs, while disregarding the needs and rights of Palestinians.