Settlement Growth Continues Across West Bank Regardless of Israeli Leadership
Data shows that housing unit plans and land confiscation have accelerated under multiple Israeli governments, raising questions about the impact of the recent election on Palestinian life.
By Aaron Foster ·
Israeli elections held on October 27 have concluded, but the physical expansion of settlements in the West Bank shows no sign of slowing. Dr. Ramzy Baroud, a journalist and author of nine books, argues that the outcome of the vote may not significantly alter the daily reality for Palestinians in the occupied territories. He notes that historical data indicates a consistent trend of settlement growth across different political administrations.
Between 1992 and 1995, the number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank rose from 111,673 to 140,235. This increase of more than 25 percent occurred during the Oslo peace process under Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The pattern continued under the Labor government of Ehud Barak, whose administration issued tenders for 3,196 settlement housing units within its first six months. That figure exceeded the annual average recorded under his right-wing predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The trend persisted when Naftali Bennett formed a coalition government in June 2021 that included the Arab party Ra’am. According to the organization Peace Now, the Bennett Lapid government advanced plans for 7,292 settlement housing units during its first year. This represented a 26 percent increase over the annual average from previous Netanyahu governments. Baroud contends that the distinction between leaders is often one of language and timing rather than fundamental policy change.
As of the end of 2025, the West Bank contained 645 Israeli settlement sites, outposts, and other occupation installations. This count includes 350 settlement outposts, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported that Israeli authorities targeted approximately 29,335 dunums of Palestinian land through state land declarations between October 2023 and August 2026. By September 2026, the Commission had documented plans for more than 18,000 additional settlement housing units across the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.
Violence in the region has also intensified. The West Bank experienced its deadliest year for Palestinians since 2005 by the end of 2023. During 2025, Israeli forces and settlers carried out 23,827 attacks against Palestinians and their property. In the first seven months of 2026, settler attacks increased by 63 percent compared with the same period in the previous year. Baroud states that this violence serves to confiscate land and crush resistance.
Political candidates have presented varied visions for Gaza, though few promise to end the current siege. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot supports settlement expansion and has pledged to end Hamas’ rule in Gaza within 18 months of taking office. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has proposed placing Gaza under Egyptian administration for 15 years. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett supports continued Israeli military control until Palestinian groups are disarmed.
If Netanyahu forms another right-wing coalition, policies of occupation and settlement expansion are expected to continue with renewed momentum. A broader coalition might reach compromises on domestic issues like judicial reform and conscription, but the occupation is unlikely to become the central point of disagreement. The international community is urged to monitor new governments closely to ensure they do not present a reformed image while continuing to invest in settlements and military operations.
