REPORT ON IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

A Bimonthly Publication of the Foundation for Middle East Peac e Volum e 19 N umber 1 January-February 2009

AS PROSPECT OF TWO STATE PEACE RECEDES, NEW U.S. POLICIES ARE URGENT

By Geoffrey Aronson the international community the oppor - that it strengthens Abu Mazen and tunity for some new thinking about how weakens Hamas; ’s assault on Gaza, after the to re-energize its unfulfilled commit - I continuing the effort to breakdown of a six month cease-fire ment to end the occupation and create a strengthen Abu Mazen by acting as with Hamas, offers the most recent evi - sovereign, independent Palestine at paymaster to the Palestinian Authority dence of the breakdown of the diplo - peace with Israel. The selection of for - (PA), supporting a “counterinsurgency” matic process ushered in by the Oslo mer senator George Mitchell, a media - strategy against Hamas, and prodding agreements in 1993 and the declining tor of international standing, as Presi- Israel to make marginal concessions to prospect of a peace agreement based dent Barack Obama’s special envoy is PA security services as part of a “perfor - upon its principles. It is yet another sig - widely viewed as an inspired choice. As mance based” effort aimed at moving nal that, beginning with Ariel Sharon’s Mitchell begins a much needed reas- toward Palestinian independence and an “disengagement” from Gaza in 2005, sessment of the U.S. led effort to end to occupation. the focus of the Israel Palestine conflict strengthen Abu Mazen and weaken Continuing U.S. support for policies is now urgently centered on the Gaza Hamas, he inherits a policy based upon that fail to acknowledge the real Strip, and more broadly, on the con - the following principles: changes among the principle players tentious relationship between Israel and I denying Hamas’s role in Palestin- risks making Washington increasingly Hamas. ian affairs, demanding its adherence to irrelevant to the march of events. Israel The election of Barack Obama offers the Quartet principles (recognition of and Hamas in particular are pursuing Israel, foreswearing the use of agendas that differ markedly from those force, and accepting the Oslo promoted by the international commu - West Bank Settlement Update, 2008 Annapolis agreements); refus - nity. In the absence of a revitalized and I 285,800 West Bank settlers (excluding ing to accept its rule in Gaza, re-oriented American-led effort, their East Jerusalem) and opposing national political confrontation will define the policy I 1,518 new structures (including 261 in reconciliation; choices of the future. It may still be pos - I outposts) built in 2008 acquiescing in practice to sible for the international community to I 61 percent (927) of new structures built Israel’s diplomatic and security bring an end to Israel’s occupation and west of the separation barrier agenda on the West Bank to enable the creation of a unified I 39 percent (591) of new structures built while offering only rhetorical Palestinian state next to Israel under east of the separation barrier objection to the system of secular Palestinian leadership that enjoys I 25 percent of new structures built east of checkpoints and settlement the support of both Israeli and Palestin- the barrier were in outposts construction; ian majorities. To do so, however, will I I 31 percent increase in the settler popula - supporting Israel’s securi - require a dramatic departure from pre - tion in the West Bank compared to an ty agenda in Gaza, and the vailing assumptions and policies. 11 percent increase in Israelis inside the draconian Israeli and Egyptian The ongoing battle in Gaza has Green Line between 2000 and 2006 restriction of imports sufficient made the environment for such an effort I 15,000 new settlers moved to the West only to meet minimal humani - far more difficult. Israel increasingly Bank in 2008 tarian needs, and supporting focuses on Hamas as its primary reconstruction aid on condition PROSPECT , continued on page 6 TO OUR READERS FOUNDATION FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE President Barack Obama and his Solving these problems will require pro - Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, face found changes in Israeli and Palestinian Merle Thorpe, Jr. huge challenges as they look for a way to policies and a comprehensive and deter - Founder bring about peace for Israelis and Palestin- mined new U.S. approach. Success will (1917–1994) ians. A stable cease-fire and reopening of hinge, above all, on the restoration of hope Gaza’s borders, after a war that accom - in Israel and Palestine that a two-state Philip C. Wilcox, Jr. plished nothing while inflicting great peace remains possible. The power struggle President human costs, should be an immediate pri - between a militant Hamas that is under - Geoffrey Aronson ority. Reunification of the Palestinians, mining the moderate Palestinian Authority Director, Research and now deeply fractured between Fateh and cannot be resolved unless Palestinians per - Publications, Editor, Report on Hamas, must also occur if the Palestinians ceive that peace and sovereignty are possi - Israeli Settlement in the Occupied are to become a credible partner in making ble and that their internal quarrel stands in Territories peace with Israel. the way of their liberation. American diplo - Nitzan Goldberger At the same time, Israel must be per - macy must create this hope. The United Waseem Mardini suaded to reverse its relentless effort to States must similarly offer the Israeli public Editorial Assistants control the West Bank and East Jerusalem a vision of real peace and security to over - through continued settlement, barriers, set - come their existential fears. Only this hope Erin Lauer Intern tler roads, checkpoints, and other measures will embolden Israelis to confront their designed to hinder the creation of a viable own rejectionist minority and oblige their TRUSTEES Palestinian state. Israel must also cease leaders to turn away from the current self- aggressive efforts in and around the Old destructive policies of occupation and set - Landrum R. Bolling City and greater Jerusalem to seize and set - tlement and accept a genuine two-state Calvin H. Cobb, Jr. tle more Palestinian land in order to seal peace. James J. Cromwell off East Jerusalem from the West Bank. Peter Gubser Stephen Hartwell Richard S.T. Marsh N —————— —————— Richard W. Murphy Jean C. Newsom Gail Pressberg William B. Quandt Nicholas A. Veliotes

The Foundation, a non- profit I.R.C. 501(c)(3) organization, supports peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians through mutual recognition and a negotiated division of historic Pales- tine. It publishes the bi- monthly Report on Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territories . Copyright © 2009

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2 O Report on Israeli Settlement January-February 2009 WEISGLASS WARNS OF A CLASH WITH OBAMA ON SETTLEMENTS

The idleness that the Israeli government has been display - existing settlements in order to supervise the expansion ban. ing in dealing with the unauthorized settlement outposts For this purpose, an American delegation was scheduled to shows that the ministers are insufficiently aware of the severi - arrive in Israel, and this was a sign of anger and loss of confi - ty of the diplomatic problem that Israel faces with regard to dence. the settlements in Judea and Samaria, and to what degree the Bush Letter issue could entangle Israel in a diplomatic crisis that would damage other Israeli vital interests. In President Bush’s letter to Prime Minister Sharon from There is no country in the world that accepts Israel’s terri - April 2004, the administration reached the limit of its under - torial demands in Judea and Samaria, and does not see the standing for Israel’s territorial demands: the large settlement Jewish settlements over the Green Line as an unlawful act and blocs. The administration understood that regarding the new an obstacle to an Israeli-Palestinian peace arrangement. Even reality that has been established on the ground, it would be President Bush’s administration—perhaps the friendliest “impractical” to demand from Israel a full withdrawal to the administration towards Israel since its establishment—was 1967 borders, and any future arrangement would require tak - sharply opposed to any Israeli activity in Judea and Samaria ing into consideration the demographic reality created over that was not vital military activity. the years. In other words: recognition of Israel’s right to the The U.S. administration views the entire area of Judea and settlement blocs by virtue of action and facts on the ground, Samaria as a reserve of land for but not by virtue of right and law. establishing a Palestinian state in The American recognition of due time. The proper existence of a the Israeli demand for control of Palestinian state requires, in the “I used to sit down and speak the large blocs and their continued opinion of the Americans, an inte - with Barak about the evacuation of development was accompanied by a gral Palestinian territory, contigu - illegal settlement outposts. Each demand that Israel refrain from any ous and with links between its dif - settlement activity in the areas out - ferent parts, not a “slice of Swiss time he would bring me a proposal side the blocs. In the administra - cheese” as Secretary of State Rice that in exchange for the evacuation tion’s opinion, Israel would leave put it. The settlements, in the view of one barrel and two tents some - [these areas] as part of the final of the administration, particularly where, I would have to agree to status arrangements with the those located deep inside Palestin- Palestinians, and it is forbidden to ian territory, cut up and divide the build hundreds of housing units in build there and change the land future Palestinian state and prevent the settlements.” reality. a future arrangement, which is also P.M. Ehud Olmert, It was the disengagement plan vital for Israel. Ma’ariv , January 22, 2009 that prevented a public, severe cri - On most foreign policy issues, sis on the matter. The administra - Israel and the administration saw tion was impressed by the Israeli eye to eye. It was only on the mat - initiative, its leaders placed their ter of construction in the territories that there were ongoing trust in Sharon, believed his statement that in the final status differences of opinion, tension and friction. In the summer of arrangements Israel would withdraw from the territories that 2002 Israel committed to refrain from expanding the settle - had been occupied, and deeply appreciated his ability to keep ments: No lands would be confiscated for the purpose of set - his word. tlements or encouraging settlers, and construction would be The mitigating circumstances that existed then are no prevented in the settlements, with the exception of construc - longer in force. It is difficult to believe that the new adminis - tion within the existing “line of construction” (inside the set - tration in Washington will be more patient and considerate tlement itself). than its predecessor. Israel will be called upon to uphold its In the road map, Israel repeated its commitment to cease commitments immediately, and if it continues to drag its feet, all settlement activity in Judea and Samaria and to remove this will lead to a severe diplomatic entanglement. unauthorized settlement outposts. Since then, the government Dov Weisglass was a key advisor has indeed refrained from establishing new settlements, but to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, unauthorized settlement outposts have been added and con - Yediot Aharonot , November 24, 2009 struction in the existing settlements has not stopped for a moment. Conversely, the U.S. administration has not stopped com - plaining that Israel has failed to meet its commitments, and demanded, among other things, to mark the boundaries of the

January-February 2009 Report on Israeli Settlement O 3 SETTLEMENT TIME LINE

September 2 Ha’aretz reports that privately September 17 Setters from Itamar burn 50 Israeli military, force Palestinians in Kafr owned Israeli vehicles, as well as secured dunams of olive trees belonging to Palestin- Qaddum to leave their land. (OCHA) buses, can now enter Rachel’s Tomb in ians from Burin and Madama villages. October 7 In , settlers from Beit Bethlehem. (OCHA) al-Rajabi assault and injure a Palestinian September 4 Settlers from Beit al-Rajabi September 18 Police and IDF soldiers woman. (OCHA) (“Peace House,” see the March 19, 2007, evacuate the Yad Yair outpost, after which October 10 Settlers from the Bracha set - timeline entry) and the Kiryat Arba settle - settlers torch fields belonging to Palestinians tlement throw stones at Palestinian farmers ment throw stones at Palestinians from and puncture tires on IDF vehicles. In from Kfar Qalil, injuring four. (OCHA) Hebron, injuring two people ages nine and response to a petition by settlers, Israel’s twenty. (OCHA) High Court of Justice had issued a tempo - October 11 Settlers from the Yitzhar set - rary freeze on the IDF’s plan for the evacua - tlement cut down 18 olive trees and throw September 9 The Marker reports on a plan tion, but the orders arrived too late. ( Yediot stones at Palestinian farmers from Burin by the kibbutz movement to write off 50 to Aharonot ) village, injuring three. (OCHA) 60 percent of its debt on loans it took out on behalf of settlements in the Golan Heights, September 20 Palestinians throw fire - Settlers from the Susiya settlement physical - Jordan Valley, and the Etzion bloc. bombs at settler vehicles near the settlement ly beat and injure three Palestinians in their of Migdal Oz. (Arutz 7) home south of Hebron. (OCHA) Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and set - tlers block Palestinians’ access to the September 21 Israeli soldiers confiscate October 12 Palestinians demonstrate Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron. (OCHA) 140 dunams of Palestinian land in the against a new synagogue opened by settlers northern West Bank village of Bardala, in on al-Wad Street in Jerusalem near the al- September 10 reports the northern Jordan Valley. (Ma’an News) Aqsa mosque. (Ma’an News) on a pilot program to allow settlers to drive through West Bank checkpoints without September 25 Settlers injure historian October 15 A large group of settlers from stopping for IDF inspection. Ze’ev Sternhell by detonating a pipe bomb the Bet El settlement attempt to damage a on the front door of his Jerusalem home. Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance September 12 At the West Bank settle - The police find fliers offering more than transporting the body of a Palestinian boy ment of Beit El, security forces injure $196,000 to anyone who kills members of killed by the Israeli military on October 14. Palestinians throwing Molotov cocktails. Peace Now. ( Yediot Aharonot ) (OCHA) (Arutz 7) September 27 Palestinians fire on settler IDF soldiers shoot and kill a young Palestin- Settlers enter the Palestinian village of Asira vehicles near the West Bank settlement of ian preparing to throw a Molotov cocktail at al-Qibliya, near Nablus, and vandalize prop - Ale Zahav, injuring a settler. (Ma’an News) soldiers in the West Bank village of Kfar erty, damage windows and vehicles, sever Malik. ( Ha’aretz ) water pipes, and uproot gardens. (OCHA) Stone-throwing Palestinians injure two October 16 IDF soldiers fatally shoot a teenage settlers near Hebron. (Arutz 7) September 13 A Palestinian man sets a Palestinian armed with a firebomb near the house on fire and stabs a nine-year-old boy September 28 Peace Now petitions the Jalazun refugee camp. ( Ha’aretz ) in Shalhevet, a settlement outpost near High Court of Justice for an injunction Hundreds of settlers enter Joseph’s Tomb, in Yitzhar. ( Yediot Aharonot ) ordering the evacuation of the Derech Nablus. The IDF provides security and sets Ha’avot settlement outpost near Jerusalem. Palestinians throw stones at settler vehicles up roadblocks. (Arutz 7) (Peace Now) near the West Bank settlement of Teqoa, Settlers from Beit al-Rajabi physically injuring two passengers. (Arutz 7) Armed settlers attack and injure four Pale- assault a Palestinian boy walking along the stinians and damage property in the village Workers from the El Ad settlement con - Prayers Road in Hebron. (OCHA) of Kafr Addik. (Ma’an News) struction company attack and injure two Settlers from the Shilo settlement attack and Palestinians from Silwan village. (OCHA) October 1 Stone-throwing Palestinians injure Palestinian farmers in Turmus Ayya, injure two settlers driving on Road 55 near near Ramallah. (OCHA) September 14 Settlers from Itamar set fire Azzun. (OCHA) to an olive grove belonging to Palestinians Shvut Ami outpost settlers burn 30 olive from Awarta village, destroying the harvest October 2 IDF forces evacuate the West trees belonging to Palestinians from Kafr of a dozen families. (Ma’an News) Bank outpost of Shvut Ami B, triggering Qaddum. (OCHA) riots by settler activists. ( Ha’aretz ) The Israeli cabinet discusses a proposal by October 18 A harvest near Hebron is Vice Premier Haim Ramon to provide Settlers attack Palestinian farmers from called off after settlers assault two photogra - $215,500 to settlers who agree to relocate Immatin village and set fire to 10 dunams of phers and a foreign activist. (Reuters) west of the separation fence. (Ma’an News) land and 100 olive trees in retaliation for the Settlers from Tel Rumeida attack and injure evacuation of the Shvut Ami outpost by the a Palestinian journalist in Hebron. (OCHA) September 16 Stone-throwing settlers Israeli military. (OCHA) injure two Palestinians near Nablus. (Ma’an October 19 Approximately 100 settlers News) October 3 Settlers, with the help of the from Qedumim attack Palestinian farmers

4 O Report on Israeli Settlement January-February 2009 SETTLEMENT TIME LINE from Kafr Qaddum as they harvest olives. demolition orders for West Bank settlement the voluntary evacuation of the property. (OCHA) houses. The proposal focuses on structures Thousands of settler activists in the Kiryat under construction but not yet inhabited. Arba settlement demonstrate in support of Settlers from Mevo Dotan attack and injure the squatters. (Israel Radio) Palestinian farmers at Arraba and steal their November 3 The Samaria Settlers’ olive harvest. (OCHA) Committee demands that Ministers Haim November 19 In the Binyamin area in the Ramon and Benjamin Ben-Eliezer be West Bank, clashes erupt between settler A group of settlers force Palestinians from indicted for slander and incitement for mak - activists and Israeli security forces during their land in Deir Istiya, interrupting their ing statements critical of settler violence. protests over the demolition of illegal build - olive harvest. (OCHA) (IDF Army Radio) ings near the Modi’in settlement. (Army IDF soldiers intervene when dozens of set - Radio) November 5 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert tlers assault olive harvesters near Qalqilya. and Defense Minister Ehud Barak decide to Israel issues a military order seizing 20 (Reuters) relocate the outpost of Migron to the east of dunums of land south of Yatta, in the October 20 Palestinians throw stones at the Adam settlement. The High Court of Hebron area, for construction of the separa - settler vehicles traveling along Road 5 near Justice had ordered evacuation of the settle - tion barrier. ( al-Quds , al-Ayyam ) Barqan and Salfit, injuring one. (OCHA) ment built on private Palestinian land. November 24 Knesset members sign a let - (Makor Rishon-Hatzofe) October 22 Settlers erect tents and build ter to Prime Minister Olmert calling on him two wooden structures at the site of the Israel demolishes four unauthorized Pale- to refrain from evacuating Beit al-Rajabi Homesh settlement, which was evacuted and stinian buildings in East Jerusalem, trigger - until after Knesset elections on Feburary 10, razed in 2005. Subsequently, the settlers ing clashes between Palestinian youth and 2009. (Arutz 7) camping at Homesh burn 43 olive trees that Israeli police in the Silwan neighborhood. A November 25 Israeli military forces belong to Palestinian farmers from Nablus. home in Shuafat and a wedding hall in Beit demolish a Palestinian house in Azariya, (OCHA) Hanina are also demolished. (BBC News) East Jerusalem, for being built without a A dozen masked settlers armed with clubs November 6 Seven Knesset members visit permit. (Ma’an News) scuffle with IDF soldiers deployed to guard Beit al-Rajabi in Hebron and call on the November 26 New housing sales in 2008 Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest, government not to evict the settlers. are reported to have dropped 5 percent in wounding one soldier. ( Ha’aretz ) (Arutz 7) Israel and 21 percent in Jerusalem, but to Modi’in police arrest 29 settlers protesting November 9 Israel demolishes two Pale- have increased by 17.1 percent in the West outside the home of IDF major general stinian dwellings in East Jerusalem. The Bank. Of all new housing sales, 4.7 percent Gadi Shamni, GOC Central Command. action follows a ruling by the High Court of were in the West Bank. ( Ma’ariv ) (Ha’aretz ) Justice that the al-Kurd family did not own October 23 A Palestinian stabs to death an the land. (Ma’an News) elderly settler in the East Jerusalem settle - November 12 The High Court of Justice YESHA Chairman Danny Dayan ment of Gilo and wounds a police officer. issues a temporary order blocking settlers (Arutz 7) was quick to respond to Mitchell’s from inhabiting 35 housing units being built appointment, saying: “The appoint - October 26 Settlers from Beit al-Rajabi for the settlement of Beit El on private ment of George Mitchell as special enter the al-Ras cemetery and destroy head - Palestinian land. The Court also freezes fur - envoy to the Middle East is disturb - stones. (OCHA) ther construction. ( Ha’aretz ) ing, particularly against the backdrop Rioting settlers from Hebron demolish sec - November 13 Al-Quds reports on state - of the fact that Mitchell was the first tions of the electrified perimeter fence ments made by Nir Barkat, the newly elected who included natural growth in the around the Kiryat Arba settlement. mayor of Jerusalem, supporting new home settlement as part of the policy of a construction in East Jerusalem settlements. October 30 Clashes erupt between settlers settlement freeze, which is some - and Israeli security personnel during the November 15 Settlers from the Havot thing that is inconceivable. Will demolition of the Fedderman Farm outpost Ma’on outpost, in the southern West Bank, every new mother in Judea and near Hebron. (OCHA) attack Palesitnian shepherds grazing their Samaria require authorization from flocks nearby, killing one donkey and injur - Israeli soldiers bulldoze houses in the West the administration in Washington ? ing two international activists. (Ma’an News) Bank village of Umm al-Kher, near the Mitchell also drew an unacceptable Karmel settlement, and in a Bedouin com - November 17 Members of the al-Aqsa and immoral comparison between munity near the Ma’ale Mikhmas settle - Martyrs Brigades open fire at a vehicle near the Palestinians’ obligation to com - ment, leaving 130 Palestinians homeless. Qalqilya, injuring a settler. (Ma’an News) bat terrorism and a construction (Ma’an News) freeze in the settlements.” November 18 Settlers squatting at Beit al- Israel Radio reports on Defense Minister Rajabi in Hebron fail to meet the deadline Ma’ariv , January 22, 2009 Ehud Barak’s approval of a plan to carry out established by the High Court of Justice for

January-February 2009 Report on Israeli Settlement O 5 PROSPECT , continued from page 1 I ending the siege and restoring functionality of Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt for imports and exports so that Palestinian threat and principal Palestinian interlocutor, rather normal economic activity can resume; than Fateh and Abu Mazen. The latter in Israel’s view have I opening the Rafah border with Egypt as a strategic goal been “domesticated” by the peace process. Their interests, in order to establish a link with the world independent of therefore, do not have to be seriously addressed. Israel; Israel waged war to force the Hamas-led government and I resolving the prisoner exchange issue with Israel accord - security forces in Gaza to accommodate a security agenda ing to its suggested formula. defined by Israel—to cease all missile strikes against Israel As George Mitchell has noted, the immediate challenges without conceding Hamas’s demand to open Gaza’s borders, facing the new U.S. administration have been defined by the especially to Egypt (at Rafah). Hamas, in turn, demands an bitter contest between Israel and Hamas. The war has forced end to the economic “siege” and open borders as the price of a Israel to reconsider its previous policies on prisoner release durable ceasefire. and border operations. There is as yet no agreement on a The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah failed to win Israeli cease-fire or the release of prisoners, notably the Israeli corpo - support for its restoration in Gaza. Israel’s decision not to ral Gilad Shalit, because there is no agreement on ending the destroy the Hamas regime dispelled the illusion fortifying draconian import export regime imposed by Israel with inter - many in Fateh that Israel would support their return to power national support. Gaza’s borders remain all but closed because lost in the January 2005 election and the June 2007 debacle in Israel longs to divide Israel and the West Bank from Gaza Gaza. The war demonstrated Israel’s lack of interest in pro - and end all economic ties with the area, no matter which moting its declining fortunes. This view informs Israeli policy Palestinians rule there, and because of Egypt’s determination on issues now at the center of international concern—Gaza’s to resist Israel’s intention to move Gaza into its economic and border regime and reconstruction aid. Fateh, weakened by the security orbit. Nevertheless, the prospects for fragile under - war, should be prepared to entertain proposals that will win it standings on borders and prisoner release on terms closer to a role in the provision of aid to Gaza and border operations those long favored by Hamas are now better than before the commensurate with its reduced power. In the West Bank, war. European, U.S., and Arab officials continue to make the case The diplomatic dimension of the Annapolis process has for the need to strengthen Abu Mazen through Israeli securi - exhausted itself. The deafening silence that greeted lame-duck ty if not political concessions. In today’s environment, Israel is Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s report to Mitchell of his con - less likely than ever to follow this international agenda. ditional offer of Palestinian statehood and settlement evacua - The war in Gaza placed Hamas at the center of a new tion attests to Israel’s disinterest in addressing final status page in the history of the century old Palestinian battle issues under the Annapolis banner. Israel’s uncertain election against Israel. It survived the Israeli attack and successfully results make a credible resumption of this process even more defended Gaza against an Israeli re-occupation. In contrast, problematic. Abu Mazen, and more significantly Fateh, were mere specta - Little remains of the Annapolis effort except the security tors in this latest Palestinian battle against Israel. In the after - element managed by U.S. and European security officials in math of the war, Hamas’s control of the government, bureau - cooperation with Israeli and Palestinian security forces. cracy, and security arms in Gaza is undiminished. The “move - During the war in Gaza, PA security forces in the West Bank ment” remains intact despite its leadership losses, and its deci - performed well and according to script under extreme and sion making capacity has not been compromised. The integri - unprecedented pressure in a successful effort to minimize ty of Hamas’ s security forces has been impaired but there is public protest and unrest. Their motivation for doing so, how - ready evidence that they continue to exercise a monopoly of ever, was not so much a desire to protect Israeli interests or to force in Gaza. They remain capable of projecting power, how - safeguard Palestinians from IDF entry into the streets, as it ever feeble, against Israel. Hamas is also demonstrating an was to demonstrate to the international community and par - ability to provide for the burgeoning humanitarian require - ticularly to the U.S. that Palestinians have upheld their part of ments of the Gaza population, despite the continuation of the the Oslo/Mitchell Commission/road map/Annapolis bargain “siege.” This situation establishes a threshold far above what and that they now expect a payoff in the form of more securi - Hamas leaders defined as victory in the midst of the war. ty space to call their own and real progress towards settlement Hamas’ policy goals today remain almost identical to the evacuation, an end to occupation, and independence. prewar period: An American policy that results in the timely realization of I recognition by Israel, Egypt, and the international com - these Palestinian national demands, which have been endors- munity as the responsible power in Gaza, without submitting ed by the international community, is the only effective means to external dictats (the Quartet principles); for reviving the fortunes of secular Palestinian nationalists. I maintaining a credible “resistance option,” not to defeat Israel and Hamas have chosen another road. They are not Israel, which it recognizes is impossible, but rather to alter the waiting for Washington, but are creating a dynamic alterna - terms of the relationship with Israel in its favor; tive to a moribund “peace process.” N

6 O Report on Israeli Settlement January-February 2009 NOTABLE QUOTES

“Every grain of soil from the Jordan River to the the Nation and the Land, said during the meeting, “The Mediterranean Sea is the Land of Israel. When you dig in enemy of the Jewish people is not the left wing, but rather the this soil, you don’t find writing from Arafat’s grandfather’s State of Israel.” In response to Wolpe’s incendiary remarks, grandfather, but rather Jewish history. However, four million Rabbi Eleizer Waldman, director of the hesder yeshiva in Palestinians live between the Jordan River and the sea, and Kiryat Arba, said, “We are not fighting against the state, but Israel must decide whether it will become one state that rather against those who have become disengaged from includes everyone, or two states—one Jewish and democratic, Zionism and Judaism.” Wolpe later recanted, stating that he and the other Palestinian. If we reach the conclusion that the meant the government of Israel, not the State of Israel, is the right solution is two states, then we must hand territory over enemy. to them. I never gave up the Temple Mount or the holy sites, Yediot Aharonot , November 23, 2008 since these are the places we faced as we prayed for two thou - sand years. However, no Jew ever prayed toward the Israeli security forces on [December 4] forcibly evicted some 250 Kalandiya refugee camp or Abu Dis. Three hundred thousand settlers and their supporters from a disputed building in the West Arab citizens who have no connection to Israel live there, and Bank city of Hebron, about three weeks after the High Court of we see them as part of Jerusalem, and really, all we are doing Justice ordered its immediate evacuation. is providing them with municipal services and National Israel police and Border Police troops could be seen on television Insurance payments.” pulling the settlers out of the house and dragging them away from P.M. Ehud Olmert, Yediot Aharonot , November 12, 2008 the premises, one by one. Israeli Settler Response “There is no Palestinian people, nor has there ever been, and there never will be a Palestinian state. We shall offer “[Daniela Weiss] is responsible for the events of the past them human rights without civil rights, so long as they prove few days and is ruining any chance of saving the (Hebron’s al- their loyalty to their Jewish state host and accept Jewish sov - Rajabi) house. Weiss’ conduct is causing the public to view ereignty over their land. In such a situation they will be given the West Bank as some sort of ‘Wild West’ that no person in legal-resident status and they can carry on their private affairs his right mind would want as a part of his country.” without anyone infringing on their human rights.” Danny Dayan, chairman of the Yesha Council, Moshe Feiglin, head of the Likud’s Manhigut Yehudit Ma’an News, December 3, 2008 (Jewish Leadership) movement, in the manifesto “The Day After,” describing policies he would pursue if he “Senior officials serving in the Prime Minister’s [Office] became prime minister, Ha’aretz , December 10, 2008 yesterday made an astonishing statement: ‘Since these Jewish terrorists are as bad and as dangerous as the Arab terrorists, “The settler presence here is in itself illegitimate. And in they need to be dealt with using the same means that the addition to that, they engage in acts of violence against our Shin Bet security service employs against Palestinian terror - citizens, particularly at this time of year when they pick olives, ists.’” with all that the olive tree signifies to our people.” Yediot Aharonot , December 5, 2008 Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Ma’an News, October 20, 2008 “There are those who accuse the youths here of acting vio - lently towards the security forces and the local Palestinian “For years we shut our eyes, now we intend to act before population, but truth is that they are the victims of violence, it’s too late. It is inconceivable that we should finance a school not the perpetrators. The Palestinians throw stones at us and or yeshiva out of which come lawbreakers who pose a danger we respond by throwing them back—because we are no [to] Israeli democracy. Even if the issue at hand is only a longer a people in exile and we have no intention of remain - budget for transportation to the school, we will stop it.” ing silent. The security forces, instead of protecting Jews, pro - Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, tect Arabs, and pelt us with smoke grenades and tear gas. Yediot Aharonot , November 23, 2008 That is the reason for the violence.” Daniella Weiss, Israel HaYom , December 4, 2008 At an emergency meeting in Kiryat Arba concerning the A Pogrom in Hebron planned evacuation of the “Peace House” in [Beit al-Rajabi] Hebron attended by the settlement’s residents and members [Palestinian woman]: “There were thousands of [settlers]. of the settlement in Hebron, Rabbi Zalman Melamed, direc - They attacked our homes. We are 10 homes here. You can tor of the yeshiva in Beit El, called for Israeli police and IDF count them. Do they think that those young men will be able troops to not participate in the evacuation. Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe, chairman of the right-wing Committee to Save NOTABLE QUOTES , continued on page 8

January-February 2009 Report on Israeli Settlement O 7 NOTABLE QUOTES , continued from page 7 It should not have happened in an area under our control. We were always infuriated abroad when the authorities did not to rescue the entire population of this area? Where are the protect Jews. Here we see that the government is helpless, the Arabs? rioters are going wild and harming Palestinians, and we stand [Palestinian man]: “Those herds of settlers are burning and look and are shocked.” homes. They have injured us. They have beaten our children Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann criticizing and women. Ehud Barak for the security establishment’s failures [Second Palestinian man]: “Let them leave us alone and we after the evacuation of a disputed house in Hebron, can take them on. But the army should not attack us as well. Yediot Aharonot , December 7, 2008 What a misfortune! Where are the officials? Where are the people to help us? “Immediately after the evacuation, there were actions that [Illyas Karram, al-Jazeera reporter]: “These attacks took cannot be described except as attempted pogroms by Jews place after settlers were evacuated from the house of the fami - from the Hebron area and other areas against Palestinian resi - ly of al-Rajabi several days after the settlers had been holed dents in Judea and Samaria. We are the children of a people up in the house, refusing to vacate it voluntarily. Thousands of whose historic ethos is built on the memory of pogroms. The police members took the settlers by surprise and evicted them sight of Jews firing at innocent Palestinians has no other from the house by force in implementation of a decision by name than pogrom. Even when Jews do this, it is a pogrom. the highest judicial authority in Israel. The evacuation did not As a Jew, I am ashamed that Jews could do such a thing.” last more than an hour and ended with around 20 injuries Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, within the ranks of the police and the settlers. Jewish Telegraphic Agency, December 7, 2008 [Avshalom Peled, commander of the Hebron Police]: “I think that we carried out the main task we have been “Braude arrived at the Palestinians’ house, and he was assigned. First, we implemented the order of the Israeli holding a gun for no reason. He could have gone in the direc - Supreme Court. Second, the mission of evacuation ended tion of the disputed house, but why didn’t he go? Because he quickly and with the least number of injuries. came to attack. His goal was to instigate an entire population [Karram]: “The attacks of settlers have expanded beyond against us. These are people who take the law into their own the city of Hebron. In Jerusalem, settlers have blocked the hands.” entrances of the city and clashed with the police, which Police officer Daniel Toledano in reference to arrested a number of them. Similar attacks have occurred in Zeev Braude, a Kiryat Arba resident suspected of several areas of the West Bank, during which settlers blocked shooting two Palestinians following the evacuation streets leading to Palestinian cities and towns. This prompted of settlers from the disputed house in Hebron, the Israeli army to declare south of the West Bank a closed Ma’ariv , December 8, 2008 military zone. The evacuation of the settlers was a test to the supremacy of law, especially since they had gone too far in RICE’S PARTING COMMENT their attacks on the occupation authorities and on the Palestinians alike. This evacuation could become a turning ON SETTLEMENTS point in the way the occupation authorities deal with the set - Secretary Rice: And on the settlements, I think we’ve tlers all over the West Bank.” made stronger statements about the Israeli settlements than al-Jazeera, December 5, 2008 at any other time in American—for an American administra - tion. But what has to happen is that they need to determine “Judea and Samaria Division Commander Brig. Gen. these borders so that everybody knows what’s in Palestine, Noam Tibon and Coordinator of Government Activities in everybody knows what [is] Israel, and that’s what we’ve the Territories Maj. Gen. Yosef Mishlav met with command - focused on in the negotiation. ers of the Palestinian security forces in Judea and Samaria. Question: I think your predecessor, James Baker, though, ‘The Palestinians were highly critical of the IDF, which failed actually went as far as urging Congress to freeze the loans— to prevent settler attacks on Palestinians across Judea and the housing guarantees. Samaria,’ said one officer from the division. ‘The IDF Secretary Rice: Well, in fact, one of the things that has demands of them that they maintain public order and yet we happened that seems to have been little noticed is that much failed to do that. The testimony is simply painful.’” of the support to the settlement movement has ceased from Ma’ariv , December 7, 2008 the Israeli government. You know that there—if you look at the support for the—there were these guarantees, loan guar - “What was going to happen after the evacuation was obvi - antees. The Sharon government got rid of those. So in fact, ous, and I regret very much that the security troops were not some of that’s already happened. prepared to prevent the pogrom that was perpetrated against Remarks by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, the Palestinians by Jewish rioters. It was a shocking pogrom. Agence France-Presse, December 22, 2008

8 O Report on Israeli Settlement January-February 2009 SHORT TAKES

West Bank Settlement Construction Rose by 60% in 2008 municipal jurisdiction. I The registration and publication of construction projects According to a report by Peace Now, construction in West in Ariel, Modi'in Ilit, Ma'aleh Adumim, Mevo Horon, Bank settlements increased by 60 percent in 2008. At least Oranit, Efrat, Givat Ze'ev, Beit El, Neveh Daniel, Alon 1,257 new buildings were built in 2008, compared to 800 new Shvut, Har Adar, Kochav Ya'akov, and Talmon. The two latter buildings in 2007. At least 261 new buildings were erected in settlements are situated to the east of the separation fence. outposts in 2008 compared to 98 in 2007. I Mekorot, the Israeli water company, was given permis - In 2008, tenders were issued to build 539 new housing sion to prepare plans in Kiryat Arba, which is also situated units in settlements, compared to only 65 housing units in east of the fence. 2007, an eight-fold increase in the number of tenders. Central I Authorization to plan "an experimental electricity pro - Bureau of Statistics figures also showed a 60 percent rise in duction farm" in southern Mount Hebron. the number of building starts in 2008 compared to 2007: I Renewal of authorization for the marketing of 31 homes 1,647 new housing units through August 2008, compared to and commercial properties in Beitar Ilit. 1,389 in all of 2007. I The planning of a cemetery in the area of Ma'aleh In East Jerusalem, tenders were issued to build 1,184 new Adumim. housing units in 2008, compared to 793 in 2007. Only 46 of I The allocation of 4.6 dunams (just over one acre) for the the tenders in 2007 were issued during the first 11 months of development of a nature reserve in the Prat stream in Wadi the year. However, 747 were issued in December 2007, soon Kelt, which is east of the fence. after the Annapolis conference. Construction plans for 5,431 I The allotment of plots for the construction of public housing units in East Jerusalem were open for public review buildings in the neighborhood of Matityahu East in Modi'in during the year, of which 2,730 received final approval, com - Ilit (which has been partially built on lands of the Palestinian pared to 391 housing units approved during 2007. village of Bil'in). Similar allotments were made in Elkana, Housing starts in Tel Aviv in 2008 dropped by 29 percent Kfar Oranim, , and Beit Aryeh. and in Jerusalem by 14 percent. Conversely, housing starts in Ha’aretz , November 16, 2008 the West Bank settlements rose by 46 percent compared to the previous year. There were 1,650 housing starts in settle - WORLD BANK REPORT ON ments in 2008. PALESTINIAN TRADE IN THE WEST The West Bank settlement of Modi’in Illit alone had 427 housing starts in the between January and September 2008, a BANK, DECEMBER 2008 156 percent increase compared to the same period the previ - (The following excerpts are from “Palestinian Trade: West Bank ous year. Routes,” a World Bank report documenting the effect of settlements Peace Now, report on construction in the West Bank, and the security structure that supports them on the functionality January 2009; The Marker , December 1, 2008; Ma’ariv , of the Palestinian economy.) December 1, 2008. “The internal closures and movement restrictions imposed in the West Bank, mostly for the security of the expanding Defense Minister Barak Has Approved Dozens of settlements, have significantly raised trade logistic costs, Construction Projects in the West Bank which in turn has resulted in shrinking the already small Ha’aretz reports that Defense Minister Ehud Barak has domestic Palestinian market. If Palestinian producers are approved dozens of construction projects in the West Bank in going to achieve minimum efficient scale, not only will they recent months. Some of the permits for construction projects have to take advantage of the entire local market but must were granted in settlements to the east of the separation also be able to access highly competitive international mar - fence. kets. But this will not be possible on a large scale under the In January, Barak asked that all construction projects in the prevailing conditions. West Bank be brought to him for authorization. Since April, “The World Bank’s trucking survey found that because of Barak has authorized the following construction projects in the Israeli restrictions, the travel time and distance for the West Bank: Palestinians moving between major cities increased dramati - I The marketing of at least 400 housing units and plots, of cally after the beginning of the intifadah in 2000. Though the which 315 homes and 32 plots are in Beitar Ilit, 48 homes crossings have been built and are operational, the promised and 19 plots in Ariel, and 40 housing units and a commercial reduction in internal movement restrictions has not material - center at Efrat. ized and restrictions have in fact increased. Consequently, the I The construction of some 60 homes in a neighborhood new crossings are an additional layer of restrictions over and that is several kilometers away from its mother settlement of above the internal restrictions and thus add to the costs and Eshkolot, in southern Mount Hebron, but is included in its delays faced by Palestinian shippers.” N

January-February 2009 Report on Israeli Settlement O 9 TIME RUNNING OUT FOR A TWO-STATE SOLUTION? 60 Minutes: Growing Number of Israelis, Palestinians Say Two-State Solution Is No Longer Possible Transcript of CBS’s 60 Minutes, January 25, 2009 “I don’t know forever and ever, but they will remain and will flourish,” Benvenisti said. Daniella Weiss moved from Israel to the West Bank 33 “The settlers, the attitude that I present here, this is the years ago. She has been the mayor of a large settlement. heart. This is the pulse. This is the past, present, and future of “I think that settlements prevent the establishment of a the Jewish state,” Daniella Weiss told Simon. Palestinian state in the Land of Israel. This is the goal. And She says the she and the settlers are immovable. “We will this is the reality,” Weiss told 60 Minutes correspondent Bob stay here forever.” Simon. . . . Daniella Weiss told 60 Minutes [settlers] will not be Moderate Israelis who deplore the occupation used to stopped. believe passionately in a two-state solution. That is no longer Despite the army tearing down a structure, the settlers the case. began rebuilding it on the same day. “We will have the upper Meron Benvenisti used to be deputy mayor of Jerusalem. hand,” Weiss vowed. He told Simon the prospects of the two-state solution becom - “But the army will tear it down again,” Simon pointed out. ing a reality are “nil.” “And we will rebuild it,” Weiss said. “The experience shows “The geopolitical condition that’s been created in ‘67 is that the world belongs to those who are stubborn, and we are irreversible. Cannot be changed. You cannot unscramble that very stubborn.” egg,” he explained. Stubborn, she says, because they were ordered to populate Asked if this means the settlers have won, Benvenisti told this land by no less an authority than God. “This is the mis - Simon, “Yes.” sion of our generation and I want to emphasize the most “And the settlers will remain forever and ever?” Simon important point is this,” Weiss said, picking up some soil, “to asked. hold strong to the soil of the Holy Land.” N

“The government calls on the new U.S. Administration, E.U. countries, all parties to the Quartet, and insti - tutions of the international community to draw lessons from the dire results of the failure of international efforts to make Israel end its settlement policies and turning its back on the resolutions of international legiti - macy and the previous agreements. This has caused a decline in the credibility of the peace process among our Palestinian people and the peoples of the region. “This requires a serious handling of the root causes of the conflict, manifested in the Israeli occupation, aggression, and settlement policy, which pose a threat to the security and stability of the region. The govern - ment calls on the international community to shoulder its political, legal, and moral responsibilities by provid - ing protection for our people and ending the settlement policy and the Israeli security violation of the West Bank areas as a prelude to ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories occupied on 5 June 1967.” Palestinian Authority Cabinet communique, January 26, 2009

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