Ramallah: The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission has reported that the Higher Planning Council of the Israeli occupation's Civil Administration has deliberated over nine colonial plans since July, underscoring a persistent policy to accelerate colonial planning as a means of solidifying facts on the ground.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency, these plans have undergone approval and deposit processes and are not typical urban expansions. Instead, they are part of a strategic policy to fortify the colonial presence in the occupied West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem. This involves both the horizontal growth of colonies and increased urban density to accommodate more colonists and ensure the continuity of the colonial endeavor.
The Commission highlighted that the occupation is focusing on bolstering existing colonies rather than creating new ones. The plans involve more than 1,069 dunums of occupied Palestinian territory and propose the construction of 1,024 new colonial units. This includes 455 units approved and 569 units that are pending further authorization.
The distribution of these plans shows ongoing high-paced activity at various planning stages, securing a steady influx of colonial construction projects in the upcoming months. The emphasis on the northern West Bank is evident with the approval to expand the Mevo Dotan colony by adding 455 units on nearly 539 dunums of land from the town of Arraba, south of Jenin. This aligns with recent developments in the area, including military operations and infrastructure development.
Hebron governorate has also become a focal point for current colonial expansion following the deposit of significant plans in the colonies of Beit Hagai and Asael. These plans propose 567 new units on more than 519 dunums, signaling ongoing efforts to reinforce colonial blocs in the southern West Bank and integrate them into road networks and infrastructure, thus consolidating control over large areas of Palestinian land and restricting Palestinian urban growth.
The Commission further noted that colonial expansion extends beyond constructing new units. There is a concurrent process of restructuring planning systems within colonies, involving changes to building lines, land-use conversions, and amendments to construction regulations and plot divisions. These technical adjustments facilitate increased colonial density, optimizing land use and reducing the necessity to seize additional land for expansion.
In conclusion, the Commission emphasized that colonial planning has evolved into a comprehensive system aimed at reshaping Palestinian geographic space. This includes developing existing colonies, modernizing planning systems, and integrating them into Israeli infrastructure networks, amid the ongoing marginalization of Palestinian communities and the obstruction of their development opportunities. This entrenches de facto annexation and reinforces Israeli dominion over Palestinian territories.