Israeli settlements are communities established by Israel in territories it captured during the 1967 Six-Day War, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements are built for Israeli citizens and vary in size from small outposts to large towns. The international community is divided on their legality, with many countries considering them a violation of international law. The growth of Israeli settlements has been a significant point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians view these settlements as encroachments on land they claim for a future state, while Israel argues that they are necessary for security and historical reasons.