Settlement Activists Push for Revolutionary Recognition in Areas A and B

Pioneering settlement activists in Judea and Samaria are pushing for a revolutionary shift ahead of the upcoming elections, demanding official state recognition, infrastructure support, and regulation for hilltop communities—including those in Areas A and B and on private land. Over the past four years of right-wing governance, the settlements have experienced growth, but activists argue it is time to take the next step. Speaking with Channel 14, activists outlined a vision to pressure politicians and parties to back the initiative.

"We want to move up a floor," said Shalhevet Goldstein from the Ma'oz Esther outpost, explaining that the goal is to prompt state institutions to provide backing to the settlement movement. Yehuda Lieber, a resident of the Goz Tzion outpost, emphasized that the daily reality on the ground can no longer be ignored. Families living in the outposts are growing and building, requiring basic security, educational institutions, and infrastructure. Activists plan to leverage the current political election window to secure commitments from as many lawmakers and political parties as possible through legislation, policy changes, and property regulation.

Overcoming Legal and Political Hurdles

To achieve this vision, activists acknowledge the complex legal and diplomatic obstacles, centering primarily on two major issues: the status of land stemming from the Oslo Accords, which divided the territory into Areas A and B, and the registration of private lands. This complex reality has historically made it difficult for the state to formally approve communities in these sectors.

Despite these challenges, activists argue that the state must change its approach and recognize the reality on the ground, where some outposts now house dozens of families. Naftali Urbach, a resident of Ma'oz Esther, explained the rationale behind the demand: "We want and demand that the state recognize and support settlement on private land and in Areas A and B. My part in the activity is to ask questions: why not support pioneering settlement instead of fighting it?"

Challenging the Oslo Paradigm

Lieber pointed to the absurdity of ignoring areas that do not sit on official state land, noting that large tracts in Judea and Samaria are categorized as private Palestinian land dating back to the Jordanian era, often with no active claimants. Yet, the State of Israel adheres to this Jordanian-era division, treating these locations differently than settlements built on state land.

Practically speaking, activists suggest several tools lawmakers can use to advance regulation immediately. Goldstein detailed potential legislative avenues, including bills to cancel the Oslo Accords, unique land registration processes in Judea and Samaria, and the reapplication of absentee property laws. Additional practical measures include military commander expropriation orders, land re-registration, or designating hilltop communities as security components that can be incorporated into Area B.

"Until there is regulation and final approval, the state and its institutions have plenty of opportunities to provide support—whether in security, security budgets, or working with regional councils so that there are kindergartens, transportation, and garbage collection," Goldstein stressed, framing the issue as one of budgetary choice and political will.

Urbach summarized the ultimate objective as achieving "free settlement throughout the entire country, recognized, planned, and supported by the authorities," bridging the gap between the activist field and state systems. Activists believe the old concept of settlement coexistence collapsed on Simchat Torah, and their role now is to prompt national leaders to adopt a new policy framework.