Soon after its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in June 1967, Israel seized absolute control over the West Bank and Gaza Strip’s land and natural resources. From that time until today, Palestinians are permitted to use less than 15 % of the total amount of their water resources. Vast areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been confiscated or closed off to Palestinians. Israeli colonies continue to be built on illegally confiscated Palestinian (mainly agricultural) land. A devastated Palestinian economy is still controlled largely by Israel. Also, a dangerously dilapidated infrastructure has been nearly completely ignored. The paper was presented at the Conference of the Mediterranean Parliments. It then presents the geopolitical status of the Palestinian Territory, discusses the Judaization of Jerusalem, and shows how the continuous Israeli actions affect the peace process in the Middle East.
