As Canada prepares to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly, many in the West Bank express fears that it may be too late for meaningful change. Anas Samir, a 42-year-old father of four, sits outside his grocery store in Al-Eizariya, a Palestinian town near Jerusalem. He reflects on the loss of land that Palestinians hoped would be part of an independent state, as Israeli settlements continue to expand.

Last month, Samir and others received demolition orders from the Israeli military, impacting their homes and businesses. "All this will go," he said, referring to plans for the expansion of the nearby Jewish settlement of Ma'ale Adumim. This expansion is particularly contentious, as the Israeli government has indicated it will undermine the prospect of a Palestinian state.

International law considers all Israeli settlements in occupied territories illegal. However, the planned expansion of Ma'ale Adumim, which will cover a 12-square-kilometer area known as E1, has raised alarms among Palestinians. The area is seen as critical for maintaining a contiguous Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Hiba Husseini, a Palestinian lawyer based in Ramallah, described the Israeli government's actions as a retaliation against countries like Canada that are moving toward recognizing Palestinian statehood. "It sends a strong message to the West: 'If you recognize the State of Palestine, it's really irrelevant for us on the ground,'" she said.

Ma'ale Adumim is one of the largest Israeli settlements in the West Bank, housing around 40,000 residents. Its mayor, Guy Yifrach, views the expansion as strategic, hoping it will eventually integrate the settlement into Jerusalem and Israel.

Palestinians fear that the expansion will further isolate East Jerusalem from the West Bank, making the establishment of a viable Palestinian state increasingly difficult. The E1 plan has been on the table for decades but has faced international pushback until recent years. The current Israeli government, backed by hardline nationalists, has shown a willingness to advance these plans despite international criticism.

Husseini, who participated in the Oslo Peace talks, believes that every Israeli decision is aimed at undermining the two-state solution. She and former Israeli negotiator Yossi Beilin are working on a new proposal for a two-state solution, which they call the Holy Land Confederation.

Despite skepticism about the impact of recognizing a Palestinian state, Husseini argues that it is a significant shift. "It's a statement that the world is no longer accepting that Israel is undermining the two-state solution," she said.

Many Palestinians, however, feel that recognition comes too late. With over 700,000 Jewish settlers now living in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, the situation appears increasingly dire. The Israeli military has displaced thousands of Palestinians from their homes, claiming to target militant groups.

The violence against Palestinians has surged since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Reports indicate that the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli settlers or forces has risen sharply, from 154 in 2022 to 498 in 2024.

Samir recalls losing his first business in Jerusalem due to the construction of a security barrier, which he and many others refer to as an apartheid wall. Now, he faces another uncertain future as his community is threatened by the expansion of settlements. "We don't know where we have to go. It's over," he lamented.

Khalil Toufakji, another veteran Palestinian negotiator, describes the current situation as a fragmented landscape, likening it to Swiss cheese. He believes a viable Palestinian state could still be possible through negotiations and land swaps, but only with serious international engagement.

Husseini emphasizes the need for the international community to consider economic sanctions against Israel if it continues its current trajectory. "When you are allowing hundreds of thousands and millions in Gaza to go hungry under the watchful eyes of the world, I think this requires some significant steps," she said.

She remains hopeful for a two-state solution, stating, "The Palestinians are not going to go away. The Israelis are not going to go away. And we have to find a way." However, she acknowledges that the path forward seems increasingly challenging amid heightened animosity and distrust.