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Revision as of 17:30, 5 April 2002 view sourceEd Poor (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers59,209 edits re-write, hopefully retaining all facts; adding a bit on terminology + trans-Jordanian annexation← Previous edit Revision as of 18:02, 5 April 2002 view source Enchanter (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users5,189 edits Attempt at more NPOVNext edit →
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The term '''West Bank''' refers to ] and ], territories annexed by ] and later captured by ]. Across the Jordan River to the east lies Jordan. Disposition of the West Bank remains a thorny question. The '''West Bank''' refers to territory on the western bank of the river Jordan which was controlled by ] (now Jordan) prior to the 6 day war in 1967 when it was captured by Israel. Many ] and sympathizers of ] prefer not to use the term "West Bank", but rather call the southern part of this area ], and the northern portion ], historical names for these areas.


The boundaries of the West Bank with Israel, often known as the "Green Line", are based on the armistice lines agreed with Jordan after the war of 1949.
Often the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been called the "occupied territories", an acknowledgment that their disposition remains unsettled.


The status of the West Bank, together with the Gaza Strip on the Mediterreanean shore, is disputed with those who advocate a ]. Often the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been called the "occupied territories", although Israelis often prefer the term "disputed territories" which is seen by some as being a more neutral term.
Some partisans object to the use of the terms ''West Bank'' and ''occupied territories'', preferring to use terms which imply endorsement of their point of view. For example, some ] and sympathizers of ] prefer not to use the term "West Bank", but rather call the southern part of this area ], and the northern portion ], historical names for these areas.


''The Misplaced Pages has no opinion as to the merit of any party's claim to this territory, and its use of the term is merely a terminological convenience.''
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The ] Oslo Accords declared its final status a subject to a forthcoming settlement between Israel and the Palestinian leadership. The ] Oslo Accords declared its final status a subject to a forthcoming settlement between Israel and the Palestinian leadership.
Following the accords, Israel withdrew its military rule from some parts of West Bank, Following the accords, Israel withdrew its military rule from some parts of West Bank,
which was then gerrymandered into: which was then split into:
*Palestine-controlled, Palestinian-administered areas *Palestine-controlled, Palestinian-administered areas
*Israeli and Palestinian co-controlled, but Palestinian areas *Israeli and Palestinian co-controlled, but Palestinian areas
*Israeli-controlled, Israeli-adminstered areas (the majority of the territory) *Israeli-controlled, Israeli-adminstered areas (the majority of the territory)


However, Israel has continued to construct many ] in the West Bank, because of the supposed threat they create on the Palestinian population. Israel has been criticized for this practice. However, Israel has continued to construct many ] in the West Bank. Israel has been criticized for this practice by supporters of the Palestinian cause.


* ] * ]

Revision as of 18:02, 5 April 2002

The West Bank refers to territory on the western bank of the river Jordan which was controlled by Trans-Jordan (now Jordan) prior to the 6 day war in 1967 when it was captured by Israel. Many Israelis and sympathizers of Israel prefer not to use the term "West Bank", but rather call the southern part of this area Judea, and the northern portion Samaria, historical names for these areas.

The boundaries of the West Bank with Israel, often known as the "Green Line", are based on the armistice lines agreed with Jordan after the war of 1949.

The status of the West Bank, together with the Gaza Strip on the Mediterreanean shore, is disputed with those who advocate a Palestian homeland. Often the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been called the "occupied territories", although Israelis often prefer the term "disputed territories" which is seen by some as being a more neutral term.

History

Note: this history should start much further back.

A part of the pre-1948 Mandatory Palestine, the West Bank was reserved by the 1947 Partition Plan (UN General Assembly Resolution 181) to an Arab state (with the exception of Jerusalem and a narrow corridor leading to it which would be considered international territory). In effect, a Palestinian Arab state failed to materialize, but the territory was captured by the neighboring kingdom of Jordan. This occuptation was not recognized by the UN or by the international community. In the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel captured this territory, but the U.N. did not recognize it either and asked for Israel's withdrawal in Resolution 242. In 1988, Jordan withdrew all claims to it.

The 1993 Oslo Accords declared its final status a subject to a forthcoming settlement between Israel and the Palestinian leadership. Following the accords, Israel withdrew its military rule from some parts of West Bank, which was then split into:

  • Palestine-controlled, Palestinian-administered areas
  • Israeli and Palestinian co-controlled, but Palestinian areas
  • Israeli-controlled, Israeli-adminstered areas (the majority of the territory)

However, Israel has continued to construct many settlements in the West Bank. Israel has been criticized for this practice by supporters of the Palestinian cause.

See also Palestine.

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