ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Israeli settlement timeline

Do you know how when you play with your toys, you like to create a little town or city with them? Well, Israeli settlements are kind of like that, but with real people and real land.

A long time ago, a group of people called Jews believed that a certain area of land belonged to them because it was promised to them by God. This land is now known as Israel. But not everyone who lived in that area was Jewish, and other groups of people also wanted to live there.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Israel started building settlements in different areas of the country, mostly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These settlements were places where Jewish people could live and create communities on the land they believe belonged to them. However, these areas were also inhabited by other groups of people, like Palestinians, who also had claims to the land.

Over time, more and more settlements were built, and the Israeli government provided incentives for Jewish people to move there, like affordable housing and job opportunities. This caused tension with the Palestinians who lived in the same areas, as they felt like their land was being taken away from them.

Today, there are over 130 settlements in the West Bank and over 20 in the Gaza Strip. Many countries and organizations around the world see these settlements as illegal and a barrier to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. However, some Israelis believe that these settlements are important for their security and for maintaining Jewish culture and history in the area.