West Bank

Quick Facts: Who was West Bank?

Subject:

West Bank

Known for:

Palestinian territory, the larger of the two occupied Palestinian regions.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The West Bank is the larger of the two Palestinian territories (the other being the Gaza Strip) that make up Palestine. A landlocked territory located on the western bank of the Jordan River near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in West Asia's Levant region, it is bordered by Jordan and the Dead Sea to the east, and by Israel (via the Green Line) to the south, west, and north. Since 1967, the territory has been under Israeli occupation, which is illegal under international law.

Career & Major Achievements

The territory first emerged in the wake of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War as a region occupied and subsequently annexed by Jordan. Jordan ruled the territory until the 1967 Six-Day War, when it was occupied by Israel. Since then, Israel has administered the West Bank (except for East Jerusalem, which was effectively annexed in 1980) as the Judea and Samaria Area.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Jordan continued to claim the territory as its own until 1988. The mid-1990s Oslo Accords split the West Bank into three regional levels of Palestinian sovereignty, via the Palestinian National Authority (PNA): Area A (PNA), Area B (PNA and Israel), and Area C (Israel, comprising 60% of the West Bank).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1948: 1948 Milestone — The territory first emerged in the wake of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War as a region occupied and subsequently annexed by Jordan.
2. 1967: 1967 Milestone — Since 1967, the territory has been under Israeli occupation, which is illegal under international law.
3. 1980: 1980 Milestone — Since then, Israel has administered the West Bank (except for East Jerusalem, which was effectively annexed in 1980) as the Judea and Samaria Area.
4. 1988: 1988 Milestone — Jordan continued to claim the territory as its own until 1988.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: West Bank

True or False: “The West Bank was fully and legally administered by Jordan until the 1967 Six-Day War.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While Jordan administered the West Bank for a long period, its legal status was always contested, and the 1967 war fundamentally altered its control, leading to Israeli occupation.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akshay Kumar — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer, celebrated for action roles and prolific career.
• Albert Luthuli — Historical peer (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• A. Wyatt Tilby — Historical peer (Died in 1948) (1948): British author, journalist, and traveler known for his writings on history and philosophy.
• Abby Aldrich Rockefeller — Historical peer (Died in 1948) (1948): American socialite and influential philanthropist, key patron of modern art.
• Abby Wambach — Historical peer (Born in 1980) (1980): Iconic American soccer forward, celebrated for her goal-scoring prowess and longevity.
• Adande Thorne — Historical peer (Born in 1980) (1980): Trinidadian-American YouTuber, animator, comedian, and actor known as Swoozie.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering nonviolent activist and founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.

Frequently Asked Questions about West Bank