200 Illegal Settlements in West Bank Since 1967

According to B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, over 300,000 Israelis live in more than 200 settlements and settlement outposts throughout the West Bank -- all established in contravention of international law, some even in contravention of Israeli law.

Tens of thousands of hectares of land, including pastureland and farmland, have been seized from Palestinians for settlements, Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency reports:

Additional lands were confiscated for settler bypass roads, highly militarized checkpoints have been constructed in order to channel Palestinian movement away from settlements, Palestinian farmlands have effectively become off-limits to their owners.

The massive "Separation Barrier" was established within the West Bank so as to keep as many settlements as possible on the "Israeli side".

The presence of Israeli security forces is needed in the West Bank, according to the report, to protect the settlers, resulting in daily friction between Israeli troops and Palestinian residents and often leading to human rights violations by security forces, including acts of violence and illegal gunfire.