Understanding Israel's Borders: Judea and Samaria Legal Framework

Defining Judea and Samaria (West Bank)

• 🗺️ The West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria, is divided into three areas: Area A (full Palestinian Authority control), Area B (PA administrative control with Israeli security responsibilities), and Area C (Israeli civilian and security control, covering over 60% of the land).
• 💡 Understanding this makeup is crucial for Congress when discussing long-term resolutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestinian Governance and Statehood Offers

• 🇵🇸 Palestinians in Area A and B (99% of the Palestinian Arab population) live under their own rule with their own parliament, media, police, and businesses, with no occupation.
• 🕊️ Israel has offered statehood to Palestinians eight times, including proposals offering 97% of Judea and Samaria and part of Jerusalem, all of which were rejected.
• ❌ Rejections were based on the refusal to support Israel as a Jewish state, demands for unlimited Arab immigration into Israel, and the desire to retain the right to make further claims.

Historical and Legal Framework of Borders

• 📜 Judea and Samaria was part of the League of Nations mandate for Palestine after World War I, with no distinct entity of the West Bank or Gaza at that time.
• ⚖️ Following the end of the British mandate in 1948, the borders of Israel were determined by the rule of uti possidetis (automatic border determination in disputes).
• ⚔️ After Israel's independence, the Jordanian army, along with other Arab forces, took control of Judea and Samaria under a framework of unrecognized aggression.

Impact of International Agreements

• 🤝 The Oslo Accords transferred governance of Palestinians in Judea and Samaria to a Palestinian government, solidifying control over Areas A and B.
• 📈 There is an ongoing effort by some to gain control of Area C, driven by demographic shifts and the desire for more territory.