Settlements’ expansionism lies at the core of the Zionist Movement ideology since its inception until the creation of the State of Israel. These colonial expansionist policies continued after 1967 war motivated by its determination to tighten its control over the West Bank and East Jerusalem with the aim of grabbing Palestinian land under different excuses and for different purposes. This ideology is driven by the desire to perpetuate occupation and to undermine any possibility to establish an independent Palestinian State in accordance with the international legitimate resolutions.
Since 1967, Israel built around 200 settlements and more than 200 outposts in addition to 136 military bases linked by by-pass roads which confine the Palestinian populated areas in cantons and enclaves surrounded and controlled by the settlements whose jurisdiction covers 60% of the West Bank area.
Furthermore, the Israeli occupation has been controlling the infrastructure including the national resources as well as controlling or restricting the movement of people and goods through a regime of dozens of military checkpoints that are spread all over the occupied territories. The Israeli occupation furthered its inhumane measures by erecting the apartheid separation wall which gorged large tracts of agricultural areas while isolating thousands of Palestinians from their land. In parallel, Israel continued with its coercive policies by demolishing or expropriating hundreds of houses and various installations, namely, inside the old parts of Jerusalem and Hebron in addition to the violence of settlers against the Palestinians which receive the support and protection of the occupation army. These are some of the occupation policies against the Palestinians which uncover the true nature of the Israeli racist essence to colonize and depopulate the Palestinian land.
In view of what preceded, Yasser Arafat Museum is organizing its 10th exhibition in order to shed light on one of the most crucial challenges facing the present and the future of the Palestinians who have been demonstrating a phenomenal ability to withstand these difficulties in order to achieve their national aspirations for freedom and independence.
