Love itself sometimes seems unwinnable. The Israeli occupation quietly curtails relationships between Palestinians and foreigners, compounding the obstacles. Earlier this month, authorities announced that any foreign national who falls in love with a Palestinian in the West Bank must inform the ministry. Confusion spread through the Israeli Defense establishment. As violence in the occupied territories climbs toward a peak not seen since 2016, with about 140 Palestinians killed by the Israeli Army, the push for new settlements continues to cast a shadow over Palestinian rights in private life.
Facing backlash, Israel stepped back. The controversial demand for foreigners to report romantic ties with Palestinians was withdrawn alongside quotas that restricted foreign university professors and students studying at Palestinian institutions. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh labeled these measures racist. Tom Nides, the United States ambassador to Israel, said he was actively engaging with the Israeli government to reverse the policies, while expressing concern about the published protocols. Yet restrictions persisted on foreign spouses of Palestinians.
“How to love normally”
Married couples where one partner is Palestinian in the occupied West Bank are eligible for short term visits only and may face a requirement to deposit up to 70,000 shekels, roughly 20,000 euros, to secure their departure. Critics argue these rules drive family separation and contribute to a broader withdrawal of Palestinian society from the outside world. HaMoked, an Israeli nonprofit, argued in a lawsuit before the Israeli Supreme Court that the regulations amount to demographic manipulation and isolation of Palestinian life.
Experts indicate that restricting who can love and how love is expressed for Palestinians makes it harder for those who deny the existence of apartheid in Palestine. The rest of the measures were slated to take effect on October 20. On the streets of Palestine, life is split between funerals and vigils as daily fatal violence claims more lives at the hands of Israeli forces. The community wakes each morning missing another member.
More than 140 Palestinians killed
Since the start of the year, Israeli operations have claimed the lives of more than 140 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Jenin, a historical center of Palestinian resistance, has seen a wave of funerals that seem endless. In January, 34 Palestinians were killed in Jenin alone. In recent days, two Palestinians died at a checkpoint in the West Bank and an Israeli soldier also lost his life in the ensuing clashes.
Palestinian officials expressed grave concern about the ongoing escalation and pledged to pursue accountability at international bodies. Attacks by Palestinian groups have appeared in some cities in the occupied territories, including Ramallah and East Jerusalem, as well as near settler outposts in the West Bank. Last week the Israeli government released findings on the May 11 killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, saying the soldier responsible was highly likely to have acted accidentally. The report drew sharp reactions from regional partners and humanitarian groups who called for independent investigations.
Following these developments, the United States, a major ally, urged Israel to review rules of engagement in the West Bank to prevent such incidents. In response, Prime Minister Yair Lapid defended Israel’s actions as necessary for national security and noted that cooperation with allies remains critical, even as debates about responsibility continue. No conclusive findings were presented about the broader accountability process in the wake of the journalist’s death.
2,000 Palestinians at risk of deportation
Israel continues to operate with a sense of impunity as plans unfold for expansion. Reports indicate the approval of thousands of new homes in two settler settlements near East Jerusalem. More than 2,000 Palestinians from Bedouin communities could be displaced from Beit Safafa as part of broader efforts to shape the demographic layout around Greater Jerusalem. The Palestinian Liberation Organization condemned these moves, labeling them forced relocation and a war crime. Observers argue that the plan would turn Palestinian villages into settlements under siege, reinforcing a demographic shift in favor of settlers.
Humanitarian groups view these actions as part of a broader pattern of colonial expansion and strict rules that restrict foreign access to Palestinian areas. Analysts argue that such policies function as a tool of occupation and contribute to ongoing segregation. In this context, the idea that love or land might be saved from division feels increasingly distant, yet many communities continue to seek connection and resilience in the face of adversity. The human cost of these policies remains the central concern for international observers seeking a path toward accountability and lasting peace.