arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

October 4th, 2001

Peace Now
"10 NEW ACTIVE SETTLEMENT SITES ESTABLISHED BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER"

An aerial survey conducted by Peace Now has discovered that between June and September 2001 at least 10 new active settlement sites have been established in the West Bank. This figure is the result of a comparison between the findings of an aerial survey conducted over the past few days and an identical aerial survey conducted in May. The earlier survey found 15 new sites established between February and May 2001. In total, 25 such sites have been established since the February elections.
Main Findings:
10 new active settlement sites were established between June and September 2001
See full listing at:
http://www.peace-now.org/SettlementSites/NewSitesJun-Sept-2001.rtf

2. 39 new structures were added to the 15 sites established between February and May 2001 See full listing at:
http://www.peace-now.org/SettlementSites/StructuresAddedJun-Sept-2001.rtf

3. Despite repeated commitments the Minister of Defense has dismantled only one (in Itamar) of the 15 earlier sites.
All the sites are located 200 meters and more from existing settlements; most are more than 700 meters away and some even 2000 meters and more. Military or semi-military sites were not included in the survey. Similarly, temporary memorial sites were not included in the survey. The term "outpost" used for these sites is deceptive. These built up sites constitute new settlements in every sense of the word, since they contain independent infrastructure and involve new areas of land.
Ramifications:
1. The Sharon Government is violating the commitments made in the guidelines of its own coalition, according to which "no new settlements will be built." 2. Under the authority of Defense Minister Benyamin Ben Eliezer, the settlers are conducting a takeover of new lands, unprecedented in its pace and scope. The new findings clearly demonstrate that the commitment made by Ben Eliezer to dismantle the 15 sites established before May is not worth the paper it is was written on. 3. The conduct of the defense establishment in this matter makes a mockery of the concept of "rule of law" along with the idea of the authority of the government over its citizens. The settlers and their supporters in the government are those determining Israel's policy in the territories. Evidence of this can also be found in the Comptroller General's Report published last week, which revealed that approximately 75% of the cases opened against settlers over land disputes were closed on the grounds of "no public interest."

Professor Arie Arnon, Peace Now: "The Sharon Government, with the backing of the Labor Party, is continuing the settlement policy in the territories. The creation of new settlements inflames the conflict with the Palestinians and endangers more Israeli soldiers and civilians. This settlement policy also jeopardizes Israel's position in the new world constellation formed in the wake of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. The settlements are an obstacle to any future agreement, and, as in the past, the settlers are endangering Israel's security and leading us on a suicidal path."
On Sunday, 7 October, the settlers are planning the creation of three new sites, two in the West Bank and one in the Gaza Strip. The inauguration will take place in a festive ceremony with the participation of government ministers (!). Peace Now will hold a demonstration at one of the sites, near Beit Haggai, just south of Hebron. *

Further information:
Didi Remez, Peace Now Spokesperson,
972-54-302796
email: didi@peacenow.org.il

Peace Now Website: http://www.peacenow.org.il
Snail mail address: PO Box 29828, Tel-Aviv Israel
Phone: 972-3-5663291, 972-2-5660648
Fax: 972-3-5663286