History & geography

West Bank

The West Bank is territory west of the Jordan River that forms part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Why it matters

It contains major Palestinian population centres, Israeli settlements and areas subject to different administrative and security arrangements.

Key context

The International Court of Justice treats the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip as the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967 and, from a legal standpoint, as a single territorial unit.

Sources

International Court of Justice - Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024
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