除占领巴勒斯坦人土地、占用水资源、限制他们自由迁徙的权利外，建立定居点还象征着以色列留在当地的意愿，表明它不愿承认巴勒斯坦人独立的事实。 即使巴勒斯坦人承认以色列的合法地位，表明愿意与以色列和平共处也改变不了什么。
In addition to occupying Palestinians’ land, using their water, and imposing limits on their freedom of movement, the settlements symbolize Israel’s intention to remain, and thus its reluctance to concede independence to the Palestinian people, even if they were to recognize Israel’s legitimacy and show themselves disposed to peaceful coexistence.