A/HRC/28/45 authorities have pressed ahead with a number of plans that either pave the way for the expansion of settlements or enlarge existing settlements. 79 The settlements as drivers of conflict and human rights violations 45. The settlements are at the centre of many of the ongoing human rights violations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. 80 The mere presence of settlements, and the associated restrictions that are imposed on Palestinians, fragment the Palestinian landscape, undermining the core right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, a right which is at the heart of the two-State solution. Every expansion, such as the declaration of State land near the Israeli settlement of Gush Etzion in August 2014 81 and the approval of new housing units in the Ramat Sholomo and Har Homa settlements in East Jerusalem in October 2014, 82 compounds that process. 83 Plans to transfer thousands of Bedouin and herders from the Jordan Valley may also be connected with settlement expansion. The Bedouin and herders are at risk of forcible transfer, a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as multiple human rights violations.84 46. The impact of the settlements on the enjoyment of Palestinians’ economic, social and cultural rights has been well documented. The settlements have had a markedly detrimental effect on Palestinians’ rights to water, food, an adequate standard of living and education.85 Moreover, the mere presence of the settlements has an impact on the rights of Palestinians and they are sources of tension and conflict across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. That has a corresponding impact on Palestinians’ enjoyment of civil and political rights, including the rights to life and to freedom of expression, of peaceful assembly and of movement. 86 A number of the main flashpoints for demonstrations and clashes, which often result in killings and injury of Palestinians, centre on the settlements or are in reaction to settler violence, particularly in places such as Silwan in East Jerusalem, and An Nabi Saleh and Silwad in the central West Bank. Additionally, around some settlements, such as Bracha and Yitzhar near to Nablus, settler attacks on Palestinians and Palestinian property are common.87 47. The Israeli authorities’ pursuit of settlement expansion only fuels violations of international law, which in turn fan the flames of violence and conflict. It is of concern that the endeavour is backed at the highest levels. Successive Israeli governments have ignored calls to reverse settlement activities. In the wake of an announcement of settlement expansion in East Jerusalem, the current Prime Minister proclaimed that “we have built in Jerusalem, we are building in Jerusalem and we will continue to build in Jerusalem”, even as that very exercise fuels tension and conflict in the city and across the Occupied Palestinian Territory.88 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 14 A/HRC/28/44. A/69/348, para. 11; A/68/513, paras. 12–14. A/HRC/28/44, sect. III; A/68/348, para. 19. A/HRC/28/44, sect. III. A/HRC/22/63, paras. 32–28; A/67/375, paras. 10–11. A/69/348, paras. 12–16. A/HRC/28/44; A/HRC/22/63, paras. 80–95; A/HRC/25/38, paras. 21–36. A/HRC/22/63, paras. 72–79. A/HRC/28/44. www.pmo.gov.il/English/MediaCenter/Speeches/Pages/speechHarbor281014.aspx.