October 7 exposed the security cost of the settlements | Shai Gal

Shai Gal argues that the settlements in Judea and Samaria constitute a security burden rather than an asset, presenting data on the allocation of IDF forces on the eve of October 7. He calls for examining policy alternatives, including a demilitarized Palestinian state.

In an opinion piece, Shai Gal argues that the settlements in Judea and Samaria are not a security asset for Israel, but a heavy operational burden. He notes that on the morning of October 7, 2023, only 671 soldiers were available to the Gaza Division, while 23 battalions were stationed in Judea and Samaria. According to him, the IDF is required to protect hundreds of settlements within a Palestinian area, secure roads and junctions, and deal with settler violence, diverting resources from other missions. Gal compares this to Gush Katif before the disengagement, stating that the settlement enterprise is not a protective force but a defensive mission. He criticizes the policy that allowed Hamas to strengthen through Qatari money, and notes that Turkey and Iran benefit from the Palestinian split. Gal calls for the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state as a solution that would free up Israeli forces for border defense, and demands a state commission of inquiry to examine the security costs of the settlements.