Settlements in Palestine
The urban morphology of Israeli settlements provides insights into occupation strategies. Firstly, the housing in settlements is predominantly uniform. This is because the construction infrastructure is located in Israel, where standardized prefab units are produced and then transported across the wall to the occupied territories for assembly. Their spiral layout serves both an expansion and security logic, avoiding the presence of isolated homes. Additionally, they are typically situated atop hills, providing a strategic military advantage (1). The arrangement of different settlements forms a deliberate network aimed at isolating Palestinian villages while connecting the settlements to each other (2).
This image displays two settlements: Nofim and Yakir, and one outpost: Yair. Settlements hold an official status as they are recognized by the State of Israel, despite being considered illegal under international law. Outposts, on the other hand, are built without authorization from the Israeli government. They are smaller in size and constructed with lighter materials to facilitate quick installation, aiming to establish a fait accompli and eventually become official settlements (3). Settlements benefit from direct funding to their local administrations, infrastructure investments (such as roads, schools, water, and electricity networks), tax incentives, as well as security guarantees for the settlers (4).