This study aimed to examine the impact of Israeli settlements and the presence of Israeli settlers on Palestinian access to education and healthcare in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Through the utilization of different methods and several metrics performance checks, this study analyzes the VPP2015 dataset offered by OCHA-oPt. This analysis provides valuable insight into the complex dynamics and implications of the presence of settlements and settlers on these crucial aspects of Palestinian life.

This study reveals significant correlations between the presence of settlers and increasing travel time to health facilities. Furthermore, the lack of Palestinian control over Area
C and the complete Israeli control over it is significantly correlated with increased travel time to health facilities and ambulance arrival time. The empirical results find a strong correlation between the presence of Israeli settlers on roads taken by Palestinians and disruptions in educational services. Army incursion into schools and detention of students in Area C and communities that suffer settlers’ presence. The analysis provides quantitative evidence that Israeli settlers pose a substantial barrier to Palestinian access to education and healthcare.

The implications of this study are significant. By establishing a clear understanding of the adverse effects of the Israeli settlements on Palestinian access to education and healthcare, policymakers (Palestinians, Israelis, and international) can better understand the urgency of this issue. Priority should be made to granting safe and equal access to education and health services. Israeli settlements are not only a violation of International law but also a violation of UNICEF recommendations of universal access, quality, and safe and protective education environments. The expansion of settlements and the presence of settlers pose a severe threat to Palestinian children’s mental and physical health.

However, it is essential to acknowledge the limitation of data used to conduct this study. The data used was collected in 2015, and the extent of settlers’ violence and settlement expansion has increased since then. Therefore, there is a vital need to collect up-to-date data to further investigate the current state of Palestinian access to health and education. In conclusion, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence of the detrimental impact of Israeli settlements on Palestinian access to education and healthcare. The findings presented here shall catalyze further research, advocacy, and policy changes to address this issue and ensure the realization of Palestinian’s safe access to education and healthcare by dismantling any discriminatory regimes and laws and fostering an environment of equal rights, duties, opportunities, and a just future for all.