Human Rights Violations and Well-Being in the Israeli-Occupied Palestinian West Bank: An Inquiry Into Structural Violence

Human rights violations (HRVs) occur across multiple layers of daily life, within families, communities, governing institutions, and the broader political context, and together shape people's well-being. This study examines HRVs by different perpetrators and their association with well-being among adults in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in 2022 with 1908 adults. Well-being was measured using the WHO-5 index, and HRVs were assessed using a locally developed multilevel scale. Different multiple linear regression models were used to assess the effect of HRV on well-being. Overall, 39% of participants reported poor well-being (WHO-5 ≤ 50). HRV was reported by 60% of participants. Higher HRVs were linked to poorer well-being (β = −2.34, p < 0.001). Family (β = −1.82, p < 0.001), community (β = −1.12, p = 0.027), Palestinian Authority (β = −0.85, p = 0.037), and occupation violations (β = −1.47, p < 0.001) all had negative effects on well-being score. Women were most affected by family (β = −2.20, p < 0.001) and occupation violations (β = −1.14, p = 0.044), while men were more affected by community (β = −2.21, p = 0.003) and occupation violations (β = −1.62, p < 0.001). In this study, HRVs emerge as critical social determinants of well-being, requiring integrated approaches that combine legal protection, social support, and contextually grounded health services that recognize the multilevel conditions influencing health and well-being.