By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
JERUSALEM, Israel – On November 7, Peace Now, an Israeli NGO, released a report on development of illegal settlements in Occupied Palestinians Territories (OPT). The report stated that, according to government statistics, the settler population is now 267,500; showing an annual growth of 5.8%. This is more than three times the annual growth of Israel (1.8%).
The settlements are viewed as a violation of international law, which prohibits occupiers from populating occupied land. Expansion of settlements is underway, despite Israel’s claims of a “settlement freeze” and its obligations under the US-backed “road-map” to dismantle unauthorized outposts built since March 2001. According to the report, in 34 unauthorized outposts permanent structures are being built and construction is underway in 88 authorized settlements. Most of the large projects are being built in settlements located in the West Bank, but on the Israeli side of the Separation Barrier, especially in settlements near East Jerusalem, the Ma’ale Adumim bloc, the Gush Etzion bloc, and Giv’at Ze’ev bloc
The report on the continued settlement expansions has several implications regarding the upcoming peace conference scheduled for later this month. The settlements are a key issue for Palestinians, who want their future state to include all of the West Bank. The settlements threaten the continuity of the West Bank, breaking it up into two portions, and will cut it off from East Jerusalem. Peace Now’s director, Yariv Oppenheimer, said that “if you want to have a two-state solution then you can’t continue to expand settlements.” The continued expansion of settlements makes an already difficult discussion of borders more difficult.
The report:
Peace Now – Construction in settlements continues – 7 November 2007
For more information, please see:
Telegraph – Israeli settlers increasing in West Bank – 8 November 2008
Al Jazeera – Jewish settler outposts “expanding” – 7 November 2007
Associated Press – Israeli watchdog: Settlements growing – 7 November 2007
BBC – West Bank settlements “expanding” – 7 November 2007
International Herald Tribune – Israel talks peace, but expanding settlement hurts prospects for Palestinian state – 7 November 2007
Jerusalem Post – Peace Now: settlements are expanding – 7 November 2007
International Middle East Media Center – Report: Illegal Israeli settlements rapidly expanding – 7 November 2007
