RAMALLAH, November 10, 2026 – WAFA – The Commission Against the Wall and Settlements has revealed that Israeli occupation authorities have approved Plan No. 200/5, which authorizes the establishment of firing ranges across 31 colonial sites located within the governorates of Ramallah and Al-Bireh, Jerusalem, Nablus, and Jericho and the Jordan Valley.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commission explained that the targeted locations encompass 29 settlements, colonial outposts, and colonial neighborhoods, in addition to two industrial zones. It noted that the plan paves the way for the expansion of weapons-training facilities, amid an escalation in attacks by colonists against Palestinian citizens.
The Commission indicated that the plan includes the "Maccabim" industrial zone—built on the lands of the town of Saffa, west of Ramallah and Al-Bireh—and the "Tel Maryam" area, known as "Sha'ar Binyamin," located in the Jerusalem governorate. It pointed out that the scope of the plan extends from south of Nablus to the vicinity of Jerusalem, reaching as far east as the areas toward Jericho and the Jordan Valley.
Furthermore, the Commission stated that the plan designates "firing ranges" as a permitted use for land otherwise allocated for public buildings and institutions, tourism, commerce, industry, crafts, sports, and recreation. It clarified that these ranges are intended for live-fire training, the use of firearms, and the qualification of individuals to carry weapons. The Commission indicated that an Israeli government list from 2022 included nine licensed firing ranges located within West Bank settlements, such as the Ariel, Karnei Shomron, Ma'on, and Alon Shvut settlements.
It further noted that a document published in 2024 by the economic arm of the "Mateh Binyamin" settlement council revealed a proposal to operate a firing range in the Psagot settlement, located in the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate. The document linked the need for this facility to an increase in applications for firearm licenses following October 7, 2023, and stated that the council’s economic arm would cover the costs of constructing the range and the access roads leading to it.
In a related context, the Commission reported that 31 Palestinians have been killed by colonists since the beginning of this year. It also documented 1,369 attacks carried out by colonists during the month of October—a 111.6% increase compared to the 647 attacks recorded in September.
The Commission added that the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate saw 393 attacks in October, followed by the Nablus Governorate with 353. These attacks included shootings, physical assaults, the burning of property, the destruction of crops, the theft of agricultural produce and livestock, and the obstruction of Palestinians' access to their own land. The Commission warned of the dangers posed by expanding weapons-training facilities in areas that frequently witness attacks against Palestinians. It noted that such expansion heightens the risks facing Palestinian communities and increases the likelihood that weapons will be used to assault citizens, thereby pressuring them to abandon their lands and livelihoods.
The Commission stated that the approval of this plan establishes a broader planning framework for the construction of these facilities—though the actual establishment and operation of each individual training ground remain subject to obtaining the necessary permits. It further cautioned against the dangerous combination of arming colonists, providing them with training facilities, and the ongoing attacks—all occurring under the protection of the occupation forces.
The Commission emphasized the urgent need to provide protection for Palestinian citizens and to hold both the perpetrators of these attacks and the entities that support and enable them to continue their crimes accountable.
K.T
