Contrary to popular belief, most of Israel’s security forces in the West Bank are not engaged in fighting terrorism but rather in guarding settlements.

Without the state’s massive ongoing support in all areas—financial support, military protection, legal shields and civilian services—the settlements in the West Bank are not only reversible, but also unsustainable. 

By examining global trends, Israeli society, Jewish-Arab relations and the electoral system, it has become easy to identify three key factors that led to the current circumstances: years of political gridlock and the rise of Israel’s most right-wing government.

The Israeli democratic system is resilient, but not because of democracy, or liberalism, or tolerance or religious meaning; it’s because all those principles are ingrained in the Jewish people, and in their political and social behavior.

The discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of a remarkable reversal of cause and effect.