To wonder how people justify the west Bank settlements

That's really interesting. Can you recommend anything to read on this?

I’m not an expert as it’s obviously a quite niche area in law due to the land being Jordanian territory and then returned to Israel Etc; but from what I understand it’s not all necessarily ‘illegal’. Lots of the land seems to be Jewish owned (some from even before it was owned by Jordan for that section of the second half of the 20th century) or owned by the state of Israel; and whilst Palestinians have been living on it, they don’t own it. So while the Israeli landlords selling it on/renting out to Jews coming in from the US and so on are doing in in ways that end up being really inflammatory due to the existing fear/religious tensions from both sides and the physical WAY in which they move in, they’re not doing anything illegal.

I’m in no way saying I agree with this or the way certain Jewish factions are going about it; but I understand that this is partly why it’s difficult to stop happening. Because it’s hard for the Palestinians to claim a right over the land if it actually belongs to Jewish owners/Israel; even if they’ve built their house on said land. It’s very complex and although the way the Jewish settlers are behaving is often horrible, if they’ve bought the land legally or already own it, they feel it’s theirs to do with as they please.

Are your pearls real or fake?

What are posters expecting those who oppose illegal settlements do? Ordinary Israelis. They can express their opinions at the ballot box. Maybe petitions, maybe influence via social media. Like we can do here.

What more are they expected to do? I have family there. As far as I know they support the 2 state solution and don't vote Likud. They are just trying to live their lives in peace. Why should they be expected to control the crazies in the West Bank?

Realise all that - was just trying to keep it simple and not write an essay

Both systems have their problems and don't always fairly represent the electorate which was what the poster was asking

@HeidiInTheBigCity Would it be like the more right wing of the Conservative party in the UK forming a coalition with parties like Reform UK? I don't know if the UK has any extreme right parties, but Reform is the most rw I can think of at the moment.

That is not quite true, though, about European electoral democracies, is it?

You need only look at places like Germany (far-right AfD is the 2nd strongest), France (LePen was almost president), Switzerland with their "people's party", Hungary (far right actually in power), Italy (look at Meloni), and - most recently - the Netherlands.

None of this is to excuse the likes of Ben Gvir and Smotrich - but Israel is far from being an exception re. this scary, scary rise of a populist right with, to put this diplomatically, ever so slightly fascistic tendencies.

What is even more scary - and, again, Israel has this, too, and is no exception here - is how the center-right seems to think that by pandering to some of their polemics, they may save themselves (it's not working, voters who approve of this kind of ideology prefer the original over the "ASDA own brand" variety).

Again, none of this excuses the far-right government of Israel even remotely - but we would be exceedingly naive to believe that "it could never happen here".

Well international law doesn't think it's OK either but as Ben Gvir said, "who is going to stop us?" 😢

As I understand it - electoral system is by proportional representation not FPTP like in UK

It's the system used in most of Europe

Netanyahu's party got the most votes so gets the first chance at forming a coalition even though they only got 22% of the vote

His coalition with even more extreme parties put him in power

In Europe it generally doesn't work that way in-as-much-as more extreme parties only get a small portion of the vote so aren't in a position to lead/form a coalition

The current government is very right wing and as they are democratically elected you have to deduce that the majority has spoken and agree. Within Israel there is a 'battle' between secular/liberal Jews and ultra religious ones. Secular ones are obviously concerned that the governance is going to become more religious, with less freedoms. So although they might voice opposition, it doesn't amount to anything.
B'tSelem is a great organization. It has been deemed antisemitic by some posters on here though.

I almost have a bigger issue with the West Bank than I do with Gaza. I can see why Israel has responded how it has on Gaza, I understand the need to eliminate HAmas and keep Israel safe. I am extremely concerned about the humanitarian issues but I understand why it is happening and don’t believe Israel could have done much different.
I do not and can never understand how it is ok to be settling on land which is under the rule PA and expect to live under Israeli rule. It is abhorrent

@Cantbeardarknights that was really interesting to hear your stance on it, thank you for sharing

Thanks for your input. I met many Israelis who also opposed the settlements but it means nothing unfortunately, the government are determined to expand as much as possible in a bid to take over WB and OEJ. It's state sanctioned violence and murder really. In the programme one family got their makeshift home dismantled (by Israel) so they set fire to all the local trees (that were confiscated from Palestinians). Why are they not in prison? Why are those who have murdered Palestinians not in prison? A Palestinian child can get up to 20 years for throwing a stone! It's apartheid plain and simple.

I have a serious issue with the settlements as do all the Israeli’s i know and my Israeli family. They are an abomination, they’re destructive, many of the people who live on them are direct causes of the problems in the West Bank and I would never ever even visit someone who lived in one and i wouldn’t be friends with anyone who lived in one. I’m firmly of the view that if Israeli’s want to live on the West Bank, they live there as part of a 2 state solution and under Palestinian rules and laws.

And I'll just signpost anyone to Ben Gvir, Daniella Weiss and Zvi Sukkot if you want to hear the views of Israeli government members who are all settlers and campaign for the expansion of settlements in order to prevent Palestinians from being able to have a state.

This is what Daniel, the settler said. Taken from HIS mouth, if you'd taken the time to watch the programme to see what actual settlers are saying. I'm not making any assumptions, I'm only repeating what people have said. And the settlers are 100% spreading and inciting hatred.

Watched a ten year old Louis Theroux documentary about "Ultra Zionists" it was a fascinating insight into a certain mindset. The most interesting for me was the overseas organisations, assume American although they didn't elaborate, who fund families occupation, actually against Israeli government rules, but how they are essentially complicit anyway, because they "allow" it.

I've read settler views in the guardian and I was struck by the smug complacency of a pregnant woman who had a view that they had biblical rights to the land. I'm religious and I see the attitude (also shown here) as a sign of evil at work in the world. I feel sad for the Jewish people that they can become so corrupt. I think all major religion experiences this corruption and fortunately there is also so much hope and goodness also still at work in the world. Evil will not win.

It is not how Israel was built, which is what that poster was saying. Which is what is spreading hate.

I'm not going to defend the illegal settlers because I don't believe they're doing the right thing. I want them all gone. I want them physically removed. I just also don't want people spreading even more hate on here. It doesn't help anyone.

It's their actions that spread the hate. Please enlighten us on a better way to phrase the illegal settlements that you feel is more balanced and "fair" to both sides?

And also "This is how the Jewish homeland is built apparently 🤔" - again, not spreading hate? Really?

Comments like "The reaction of many seems surreal though, just like a shoulder shrug and well I wouldn’t live in a house that was stolen from someone but you do you!?" - would love to see this backed up for example. Alternatively explained how this doesn't spread further hate.

Why are you giving them the benefit of the doubt? I have watched, read and listened to countless things on this subject and the illegal settlers will never ever convince me that what they are doing is right or justified. How is that spreading hatred? The illegal settlers are doing that themselves by their actions. Many have posted links to interviews to back up their thoughts on the issue