Israeli settlements, constructed to monopolize on resources and drive wedges between sections of the West Bank, have long been considered illegal under international law by the World Court. Now, in a landmark ruling, Israel’s own supreme court has finally ordered a halt to construction of part of the Bet El settlement which is being built on privately owned Palestinian land, making the construction illegal even under Israeli law.

If all Jewish buildings constructed illegally under Israeli law were to be demolished in the West Bank, nearly 40 percent of them would be removed.