Trend Analysis: Israeli Policy and Environmental Pollution in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Israel’s recent attempts to “legalize and authorize” the transfer and disposal of garbage in the West Bank threatens to worsen the already poor environmental situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). This environmental situation has been prompted, in part, by Israeli policy, including settlements, ongoing Israeli military operations, and restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement. Other contributing factors include Israel’s failure to adequately invest in wastewater infrastructure or to take the necessary administrative actions to prevent environmental pollution over the course of its occupation.