Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Regions

West Bank

The West Bank is a landlocked territory west of the Jordan River in the Levant, and one of the two main Palestinian territories.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

The West Bank is a landlocked territory west of the Jordan River, one of the two main Palestinian territories. Since 1967, it has been occupied by Israel, and its final status remains disputed.

What it is

The West Bank lies west of the Jordan River and east of the Green Line separating it from Israel. It covers about 5,660–5,880 km² and is home to roughly 4.2 million people (2025 estimate). Major cities include Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Jericho, with Ramallah serving as the de facto administrative centre of the Palestinian Authority.

Why it matters

The territory’s political status is a central issue in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and its legal status is widely described as occupied territory. The area contains sites of major religious significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Canada treats the West Bank as occupied territory in its foreign policy, making it relevant to Canadian reporting on the Middle East peace process.

Key details

The West Bank is one of two principal Palestinian territories, the other being the Gaza Strip. Its population is predominantly Palestinian Arab, but Israeli settlements are also present. Some broader political definitions include East Jerusalem, though Israeli administrative usage often distinguishes it. The territory’s final status remains unresolved in peace negotiations.

In short

  • The West Bank is a landlocked territory west of the Jordan River, occupied by Israel since 1967.
  • It is one of the two main Palestinian territories, with a population of about 4.2 million.
  • Its political status is disputed between Israelis and Palestinians.
  • Major cities include Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Jericho.
Canadian angle

Canada is among the countries that treat the West Bank as occupied territory in its foreign policy and diplomacy, so the region is relevant to Canadian reporting on the Middle East peace process.

Quick questions

What is the West Bank?
The West Bank is a landlocked territory west of the Jordan River and one of the two main Palestinian territories.
Why is the West Bank disputed?
Israelis and Palestinians disagree over sovereignty, borders, settlements, and the territory’s final political status.
When did Israel occupy the West Bank?
Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War and has occupied it since then.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/West-Bank
    Supports: Geographic location, historical background, and disputed status
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/West-Bank
    Supports: Area, population estimate, major cities, and general overview
  3. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/asia/west-bank-and-gaza-political-geography/west-bank
    Supports: Territory description, boundaries, and approximate area
  4. CIA World Factbook — https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2022/countries/west-bank
    Supports: West Bank as a Palestinian territory and population estimate