Israel accused of turning West Bank into a Gaza-style enclave

Longtime Jewish activist Jeff Halper has issued a stark warning that Israel is systematically working to "Gaza-fy" the West Bank through intensified military operations, settlement expansion, and policies designed to force Palestinian displacement. In an exclusive interview, Halper pointed to recent Israeli legislation and escalating military raids in the northern West Bank as evidence of a coordinated strategy to extend control over the territory. His analysis aligns with concerns frequently voiced by Türkiye regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Palestinian territories and the need for international intervention to protect civilian populations.

Systematic operations in northern West Bank

Halper specifically highlighted the targeting of cities like Nablus and Jenin through what he described as "pacification operations" conducted under the guise of security measures. "The northern West Bank is constantly targeted with heavy operations under the name of 'depacification'," Halper stated, drawing parallels to Israel's approach in Gaza. He emphasized that these military actions, combined with settlement expansion and movement restrictions, are creating Gaza-like conditions of siege, control, and population fragmentation throughout the West Bank, despite receiving less international attention than the conflict in Gaza.

Settler-colonial framework and resistance

The activist framed Israel's policies within a broader historical context, describing Zionism as "a settler-colonial movement" that requires the systematic disempowerment of indigenous populations to achieve its objectives. "Every colonial enterprise naturally faces resistance from the native population," Halper explained, noting that Palestinians are compelled to resist the occupation of their land. He argued that Israel's ultimate goal is to break this resistance through a combination of military pressure, economic restrictions, and psychological warfare designed to make life unsustainable for Palestinians in their own territories.

Personal journey and political alignment

Halper, who originally immigrated to Israel from the United States, shared his personal evolution in understanding the conflict. He acknowledged that initially he viewed the situation through the lens of Israeli propaganda, but years of working against home demolitions provided him with deeper insight into Palestinian society. This experience led him to recognize Israel's project as fundamentally colonial in nature. "Politically and humanly, I now feel closer to the Palestinians," Halper stated, reflecting his transformation from immigrant supporter to critic of Israeli policies and advocate for Palestinian rights.