West Bank

The West Bank is a territory in the Middle East. The State of Palestine claims the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. However, Israel and some other nations disagree and claim the West Bank is an Israeli territory. The West Bank, known as Judea and Samaria by Israelis, has been under Israeli sovereignty since 1967. Since 1990, the Israeli government and the Palestinians have had many talks about what will happen in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the future. Most people in the West Bank are Palestinians, but there are also many Jewish settlers in settlements. The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal under international law. Palestinians living in the West Bank, despite living under occupation by Israel are not allowed to vote in Israeli elections. Geography The West Bank borders Israel to the west and Jordan to the east. It touches the Dead Sea and the River Jordan. Hills or desert make up most of its landscape. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cooler and rainy. Regions The West Bank is divided into 165 Palestinian enclaves that are under partial Palestinian rule. The rest of the West Bank, including 200 Israeli settlements, is under full Israeli control. Laws Israeli settlers and civilians living in the West Bank (or traveling through it) are subject to Israeli law, and are represented in the Knesset. On the other hand, Palestinian civilians (who are mostly stuck in or confined to scattered enclaves), are subject to martial law and are not permitted to vote in Israel's national elections. Names The occupied West Bank is called "Judea and Samaria" by some right-wing Israeli settlers. Related pages Human rights in West Bank LGBT rights in West Bank Israeli occupation of the West Bank Other websites IMEMC Jerusalem Post Notes Sources