REPORT ON IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

A Bimonthly Publication of the Foundation for Middle East Peace Volume 13 Number 2 March-April 2003

BARBED WIRE, STONE, AND ASPHALT FORGE A NEW

Israel has just elected Sharon tion, contiguous to existing development itself built in part on al-Azariya’s patri- for a second term, an expression of pub- and in new outposts along adjoining mony. lic support not bestowed on an Israeli mountain ridges, and extensive site This road features a tunnel under prime minister since Menachem Begin. preparation for future development. Mt. Scopus, not unlike the Tunnel Road International efforts to fill the diplo- Revolutionary changes in patterns of that links the East settlement matic vacuum created by the destruction transportation and access are also in the of Gilo with the Etzion bloc of settle- of the Oslo process continue to proceed works. There are new roads for Israeli ments to the south. For a time, Palestin- in fits and starts, without much confi- settlers, aimed at facilitating safe travel ian snipers had all but closed this route dence of success. While most interna- to Israel and encouraging economic to settlers—since the outbreak of the tional attention is focused on these two development. In contrast, the dynamic intifada they are the only who features of the political and diplomatic for is just the opposite—an travel the West Bank—but today the landscape of the conflict, the best ever-increasing network of barricades, route is lined with concrete barriers. barometer of relations between Israelis obstacles, patrol roads, and prohibitions The road is meant to serve residents and Palestinians is, and remains, the that isolate them from settlements, each of the settlement of Betar Ilit, home to state of affairs on the contested lands other, and from places of work, compro- almost 20,000 members of the ultra- themselves. mising their ability to lead normal lives orthodox Haredi community. After A recent visit to the region south of and impoverishing an entire national transiting the tunnels, the road contin- Jerusalem highlights two prominent community. ues past the Palestinian village of al- aspects of this continuing and unequal These elements of everyday life are at Khadar. The road linking the village to battle for control of the land. In virtual- once contradictory and complementary. this main thoroughfare has been block- ly every Israeli settlement, colonization They illustrate the contrast between the aded. As a consequence, villagers walk efforts are proceeding apace. These unequal fortunes of settlers and their to a nearby lot where buses await. Such measures include new housing construc- Palestinian neighbors while sustaining blockades, which have grown more the overall impression of an Israeli poli- extensive and impermeable over the cy that by design and execution aims at months of rebellion mean that Palestin- Also in this issue: consolidating Israel’s ability to secure a ian vehicles, with their distinctive green permanent hold over these lands. and white license plates, have all but Etzion Bloc Map 3 The Palestinian village of al-Azariya disappeared from the principle West Settlement Time Line 4–7 offers no better metaphor for this Bank roadways. New Security Perimeters 8 extraordinary state of affairs. The village The road to Betar Ilit continues past ——— ——— is defined by the road that passes the Palestinian village of Husan. Ten through it from Jerusalem to Jericho. meters from the road a wire fence at Visit our website, www.fmep.org, for back issues of the Settlement Report, Today, the road is impassable. Israel has least five meters tall—to keep settlers maps, and current analyses and constructed a concrete wall across the safe from stones—surrounds the village’s commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian road at the eastern perimeter of southern perimeter. High intensity conflict. Jerusalem’s municipal boundary, split- lights shine directly into homes. ting the village in two. Betar Ilit serves an expanding com- The first in a series of and Hardly five kilometers distant, a new munity of Orthodox . Affordable Hebrew translations of the Settlement Report can be viewed at www.fmep.org. road has opened to connect Jerusalem with the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, WEST BANK, continued on page 3 TO OUR READERS FOUNDATION FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE Jeff Aronson’s account in this issue of witnessed the massive scale and velocity of settlement expansion south of Jerusalem the settlements project, one reason, perhaps Merle Thorpe, Jr. and the accompanying map vividly illus- why Washington has never fully grasped Founder trate ’s drive to cement Israel’s the danger of settlements and the urgent (1917–1994) domination of the occupied territories. need to confront the issue. Sharon is exploiting the diplomatic vacuum Many hope that after the war in Iraq, Philip C. Wilcox, Jr. in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict created by the U.S. will reengage more vigorously in President Washington’s retreat from this issue and its Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy. President Geoffrey Aronson preoccupation with Iraq to accelerate Bush supports a “viable, credible, Palestin- Director, Research and Publica- changes in the political geography of the ian state” and a secure Israel. But settle- tions, Editor, Report on Israeli West Bank. He is also moving aggressively ments absolutely block both goals. The Settlement in the Occupied Territories to isolate from the West “Road Map”, which defines current U.S. Bank. The scale of the latter effort is star- policy, calls for a settlement freeze. But, like Mallika Good tling. It includes roads, trenches, walls, tun- the failed Oslo process, it lacks a clear des- Editorial Assistant nels and settlements designed to preclude a tination that defines a final status agree- Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem, a bot- ment with the essential elements for peace, ADVISERS tom line element for any peace deal. security, and a viable Palestinian state. Lucius D. Battle Over the years this Foundation and oth- These must include, not just an immediate Landrum R. Bolling ers have monitored settlement growth and halt to settlement growth, but evacuation of Peter Gubser warned of the threat to peace. U.S. diplo- most of the settlements. Jean C. Newsom mats and intelligence analysts have also provided accurate reports on settlements. Gail Pressberg But texts and maps, without on-the-ground Nicholas A. Veliotes observation, do not fully convey the stark TRUSTEES reality. Too few senior U.S. officials have Peter M. Castleman Chairman Lucius D. Battle Calvin H. Cobb, Jr. Settlement Localities and Population, 2001 James J. Cromwell Stephen Hartwell Number of Settlements Richard S.T. Marsh Settlement Type (West Bank and ) Population Richard W. Murphy William B. Quandt Rural 10 9,700 Sally S. Thorpe Rural Communal 69 41,700 Rural Kibbutzim 9 1,800 The Foundation, a non- profit I.R.C. 501(c)(3) Rural Moshavim 32 8,800 organization, supports peace Total Rural Population 120 62,000 and security for Israelis and Palestinians through mutual Urban 2,000–9,999 14 57,500 recognition and a negotiated Urban 10,000–19,999 4 63,000 division of historic Pales- tine. It publishes the bi- Urban 20,000–49,999 1 25,800 monthly Report on Israeli Total Urban Population 19 146,300 Settlement in the Occupied Territories. Grand Total 139 208,300 Copyright © 2003 Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Abstract of Israel, 2002, Table 2.9.

2 ❖ Report on Israeli Settlement March-April 2003 ETZION BLOC AND ENVIRONS - March 2003

Palestinian Locality Anata

Israeli Settlement Za'im Jerusalem East Jerusalem Old City Azzariya Israeli Settlement Bloc MA'ALE ADUMIM Highways; Existing- Abu Projected Dis Traditional Roads- Israeli Roadblock or Walaja Checkpoint I S R A E L GILO

HAR HOMA MEVO Husan BETAR Ubaydiya IS R AE L Al Khadr BETAR ne ILLIT West Li Shawawra n ee Nahhalin W e s t Bank Gr R amallah GEVA'OT B a n k NEVE Za'atara Jaba DANIEL Jerusalem BAT ROSH EFRATA AYIN ZURIM Bethlehem

KEFAR TEKOA ETZION 0 5 Km Surif MIGDAL OZ 3 Miles Map : © Jan de Jong

WEST BANK, continued from page 1 torial footprint of Betar Ilit to the west. On a hilltop to the southeast is Rosh Zurim, part of the housing in the recently incorporated Etzion bloc of settlements. To the There is such a thing as International Law. municipality has catapulted Betar northeast is the settlement of Neve Ilit to the top of the list of fastest There are rules and obligations which it Daniel, expanding across the hill- growing settlements. Panoramic imposes on an occupying power. Certain tops. The old road leading from views from the nearby Palestinian minimal obligations towards letting an occu- Nahalin past the settlement and to village of Nahalin bring Israel’s pied population enjoy a certain minimal stan- the main thoroughfare to Bethle- patented methods of settlement dard of living. There was a time when Israeli hem is now blocked by stones. expansion into view. The settlement There is no need for an Israeli rule was more or less within this framework. is growing along the hilltops and checkpoint. Further to the south lie down into the wadis that just sepa- Now it is totally broken. The only considera- the settlements of Bet Ayin and, to rate the settlement from Nahalin. tion, overriding everything else, is mainte- the southwest, Giva’ot. The latter is Nahalin is growing too, also in the nance of the settlements, which are inherently today a small outpost on a hilltop. If direction of the wadi, but the limit- a violation of International Law. all proceeds according to plan it will ed resources that villagers can bring Avigdor Feldman, prominent Israeli attor- someday be a town of many thou- to bear do not compare with the ney, at a symposium, March 12, 2003 sands, part of Ariel Sharon’s effort transformation of Betar Ilit into a to establish a series of towns along sea of red-roofed apartment houses. the old border. The view from the heights of Nahalin looking west shows the A quick reading of the compass, and a bird’s eye view haphazard growth of the village below, almost to the current across this striking landscape establishes that Nahalin has limits of Betar Ilit, whose neat rows of apartments give way to been encircled by expanding Israeli settlements. Ariel Sharon extensive land preparation for future development. Within has planned it this way, and his territorial vision is being real- easy sight is the Israeli village of Mevo Betar to the west, just ized. In contrast, local and international efforts to confront, across the Green Line. let alone roll back the new reality being fashioned every day Nahalin’s predicament offers a vivid testament to that faced out of soil, stone, and barbed wire, appear hopelessly inade- by many villages today. It is confronted by the growing terri- quate.

March-April 2003 Report on Israeli Settlement ❖ 3 SETTLEMENT TIME LINE

October 1 After signing a State Depart- minister Rehavam Ze’evi. preventing the muezzin at the Tomb of the ment spending bill, U.S. president George Patriarchs from calling the faithful to prayer; October 8 Ha’aretz reports that Israeli W. Bush claims that his administration is that settlers have invaded waqf offices and defense minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer has not legally bound to follow a provision in it vandalized equipment; and that settlers have ordered the army to begin evacuating 20 to that requires Jerusalem be identified as broken into a local school. When Israeli 30 illegal settlement outposts in the West Israel’s capital. “We have always opposed police arrived at the Jewish enclave in the Bank. legislative action that hinders the president’s heart of the city’s old quarter, settlers prerogatives on advancing our interests in October 9 Dozens of soldiers sign a peti- assaulted them with paint. the region and promoting a just and lasting tion to be sent to Prime Minister Ariel October 15 More than 5,000 buildings peace,” said State Department spokesman Sharon demanding the evacuation of all ille- have been destroyed by Israeli incursions Richard Boucher, adding, “the State Depart- gal settlement outposts in the West Bank. into Palestinian territory since October ment made consistently clear that it was (Ha’aretz) 2000, including the destruction of whole opposed to those provisions.” The Danish security services firm Group 4 neighborhoods, schools, shops, factories, and October 2 The trial begins of four men Falk announces plans to shut down opera- farmland. According to PA labor minister accused of being members of a Jewish cell tions in West Bank settlements after learn- Ghassan al-Khatib, some 500,000 people are responsible for planting a bomb in an East ing that its security group subsidiary unemployed in the territories, 150,000 of Jerusalem girls’ school in April. (Israel Line) Hashmira Corp patrols areas in and around whom once worked in Israel as laborers and settlements. (Ha’aretz) 350,000 of whom worked in the territories October 3 Ha’aretz reports that Jewish set- but cannot get to their jobs because of clo- tlers from Hebron have taken control of a Ha’aretz reports the IDF’s dismantling of sures and curfews. The hardest hit have been Palestinian-owned house close to the Jewish two illegal settlement outposts in the West the 30,000 who live near settlers in Hebron enclave of Beit Romano. Bank. and have been under curfew for 385 days in October 4 The October 10 Israel continues to demolish the last two years. (Ha’aretz) attack al-Zahraa, south of Gaza City, after a agricultural land and uproot olive trees in The Council of Jewish Settlement missile hit settlement, injuring no Tura al-Gharbiya village, , for the pur- calls on IDF soldiers to ask their command- one. (Hear Palestine) poses of the “seamline” wall. (Hear Palestine) ing officers to release them from duties evac- October 5 Jewish settlers confiscate the The IDF demolishes 11 homes and a farm uating the settlements, citing religious rea- well that provides al-Laban al-Sharqiya vil- in Qalqas and al-Sha’aba areas, southeast of sons and reasons of conscience. The council lage with drinking water and confiscate a Hebron, for lack of proper construction per- also calls on all Zionist parties to leave the home in the village. The action falls within a mits. (Hear Palestine) government coalition if it continues its poli- wider plan that aims at confiscating more cy of removing outposts. (Mideast Mirror) than 400 dunums of Palestinian agricultural Settlers kill a Palestinian from the Aqraba land in the area. (Hear Palestine) village. Israeli settlers east of Jenin continue to pre- vent the residents of Deir Abu Da’if from October 11 Construction of the “seamline” October 6 After Palestinians fire a rocket harvesting olives on land situated near the wall has affected 6000 dunums of Qiffin’s at a settlement near Khan Yunis, causing no settlements. (Hear Palestine) casualties, Israel raids the Gaza Strip, leaving land, located north of Tulkarem, with anoth- 12 Palestinians dead and 80 wounded. er 5,000 dunums expected to be bulldozed. October 16 Hear Palestine reports settlers (Mideast Mirror) By the time the wall is finished, the IDF will attacking Palestinian farmers near Yassuf, have confiscated 40 percent of Qiffin’s agri- north of Salfit, forcing them to evacuate The Khan Yunis hospital is hit by IDF cultural land. (Hear Palestine) their land. assault rifle fire after the military traces three mortar shells fired at nearby settlements to October 12 Settlers open fire on Palestin- October 18 Settlers from Efrat cut down the hospital. The gunfire killed one man and ian olive pickers in Beit Furik, near Nablus, 50 olive trees to the west of al-Khader vil- wounded three others. (Associated Press) and set fire to olive trees in Silwad and al- lage. (Hear Palestine) Mizra’a al-Sharqiya, east of . Ha’aretz reports settlers from Gidonim and October 19 Two hundred peace activists killing a Palestinian and wounding October 13 While heading to their land to go to several West Bank locations to protect two others during an attack on olive har- harvest olives, farmers in the town of Tqu, Palestinians from settler harassment during vesters from the village of Aqraba, near southeast of Bethlehem, become the target the olive harvest. (Ha’aretz and Gush Shalom) Nablus, the latest in a series of such attacks. of random machine-gun fire from settlers. Hear Palestine reports settlers throwing (Hear Palestine) October 7 The IDF bulldozes at least five stones and garbage at students of the houses in the village of Yabad, west of Jenin, Hear Palestine reports Israeli settlers setting Qartaba School for Girls in the center of because their owners did not have building fire to land cultivated with olive trees in Hebron, forcing students to avoid the main permits. (Agence France Presse) Dura al-Qaria, north of Ramallah. road. Ha’aretz reports that the Jordan Valley Road October 14 Ha’aretz reports Palestinian Settlers prevent residents of the West Bank will be named after slain Israeli tourism complaints that Hebron settlers are forcibly villages of Aqraba and Inabus, near Nablus,

4 ❖ Report on Israeli Settlement March-April 2003 SETTLEMENT TIME LINE and Jewish and Arab Israeli left-wing because of protests by human rights groups destroyed 1,435 dunums of trees, 122 activists from picking olives by firing shots and Israeli politicians. (Ha’aretz) dunums of greenhouses, 5 water wells, and in the air. (Jerusalem Post) more than 7,000 dunums of cultivated land October 24 After abandoning their village since October 2000. (Palestine Report) Ha’aretz reports twelve police officers and because of settler attacks, four families from ten settlers wounded when security forces Yanun return after an Israeli army officer Israeli bulldozers level land north of al-Ram begin the evacuation of Havat Gilad, near promises that the residents will be protected in preparation for construction of the separa- Nablus. as they harvest their olives. Mayor Abdel tion zone around Jerusalem. (Hear Palestine) Latif Sabih declares, “We will not let go of October 20 Settlers return to the disman- October 31 Three commanders who live in our village and land. We left to seek a safe tled Havat Gilad outpost to rebuild a tem- religious settlements are expelled from their haven for our wives and children, but we porary structure. (Ha’aretz) brigade for refusing to evacuate the illegal men will come here everyday.” (al-Ayyam) outpost of Mitzpeh Assaf, near Beit El. The Hear Palestine reports confrontations commanders say they cannot take part in an between residents of Jayous, supported by October 25 Hear Palestine reports 160 operation that means “evacuating Jews from foreign volunteers, and the IDF when Israeli homes partially demolished and more than the Land of Israel.” (Ha’aretz) bulldozers begin demolishing the village’s 1,750 damaged, most in the Block ‘O’ agricultural land, including more than 150 refugee camp in , as a result of ran- November 3 Israeli soldiers continue to olive trees. dom IDF shelling. Approximately 2,200 prevent farmers from Salfit from harvesting residents from the camp were without refuge olives. (Hear Palestine) The IDF bulldozes dozens of dunums of as a result. During the al-Aqsa intifada, land between Izbat Salman and Izbat Jalud 190 civilians, including 60 children have November 4 Settlers attack residents of to make room for the construction of the been killed in Rafah and 2,300 residents Kfar Qalil village during which a large “seamline” wall. Israeli officials declare the wounded. amount of harvested olives are stolen. (Hear confiscation of a further 2,600 dunums of Palestine) land from Izbat Salman. (Hear Palestine) Settlers arrested for involvement in the dis- turbance at Havat Gilad are released and the November 6 claims responsibility October 21 Settlers from Shvut Rahel fire evacuation of more West Bank illegal out- for an attack on the bloc in Gaza weapons, throw stones, and set cars on fire at posts is postponed for a week. (Ha’aretz) where two settlers were killed and one a Palestinian-owned orchard in Turmus A’ya wounded. (Hear Palestine) as residents harvest olives. (Palestinian October 27 A Palestinian detonates explo- November 9 Al-Ayyam reports moves in Human Rights Monitoring Group) sives at a gas station near the Ariel settle- ment in the West Bank, killing three people the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis for the con- Kol Yisrael reports the IDF killing two and injuring nineteen. (Yediot Aharonot) fiscation of the fishing port and its transfer Palestinians attempting to infiltrate the set- to a new settlement bloc. tlement of in the Gaza Strip. Ha’aretz reports five people injured when A report by the General Committee for the settlers from peace activists Settlers erect two temporary structures at the Defense of Land claims that settlers in more and Palestinian olive harvesters from the dismantled outpost of Havat Gilad, west of than 84 settlements in the West Bank have nearby village of Yanun. Nablus. The IDF announces it will not carried out more than 1,000 attacks against attempt to remove the structures at this Hear Palestine reports that the IDF has start- Palestinian farmers and their property in the time. (Ha’aretz) ed construction of a wall 10 meters high past year. The attacks have resulted in civil- along the border stip between Rafah and ian casualties and the destruction of more October 22 The European Union agrees to . than 12,200 dunums of cultivated land, the continue favorable treatment of Israeli source of income for 1,414 Palestinian fami- exports from the territories as part of its free October 29 Ha’aretz reports three settlers lies, with the Nablus area suffering the trade agreement with Israel. (Ha’aretz) killed and five wounded when a Palestinian greatest damage. (al-Quds) infiltrates the settlement of , near October 23 Israeli authorities issue three Jenin. Kol Ha’ir reports that 45 Palestinian homes house demolition orders in al-Khader vil- will be demolished and 1,250 dunums of lage, Bethlehem, in order to construct a road Canadian authorities announce their deci- land confiscated for Jerusalem’s eastern ring for a nearby settlement. sion to revoke tax exemptions on donations road. (Hear Palestine) made to the organiza- Ha’aretz reports that Israeli national infra- tion after noting that money for the emer- November 11 The General Information structure minister Effie Eitam has ordered a gency medical services supports ambulances Center in Hebron releases a report announc- stop to all drilling for water by Palestinians operating in the territories. (Ha’aretz) ing that in the two years of the al-Aqsa in the West Bank, as well as a freeze on per- intifada, 160 Palestinian residents have been mits for further drilling. IDF and police return to Havat Gilad for killed and more than 8,256 wounded. The the third time to evacuate a group of settlers The IDF prohibits Palestinians from picking report reveals that the Old City of Hebron from the illegal outpost. (Ha’aretz) olives in the West Bank after announcing has been under curfew for 318 days during that troops cannot protect harvesters from October 30 The Palestinian Agriculture settler attacks. The order is later retracted Ministry in Rafah reports that the IDF has TIME LINE, continued on page 6

March-April 2003 Report on Israeli Settlement ❖ 5 SETTLEMENT TIME LINE this period and that the IDF has demolished near the Elkana settlement in the West December 9 The IDF arrests Tanzim 34 homes under “security” pretexts and 20 Bank. They were found with uprooted olive operative Mahmud Muhammad Mahmud under the pretext of “no construction per- trees and claimed to have had permission Amro, a resident of Hebron, for the death of mit.” More than 3,250 dunums around from the Palestinian owner of the orchard to 10-month-old Shalhevet Pass. (Israel Line) Hebron has been seized for settlement remove the trees. (New York Times) December 10 The Israeli High Court expansion. (al-Quds) The IDF has demolished some 80 issues an order instructing the IDF not to November 12 Israeli authorities prevent Palestinian homes in Gaza since August. demolish Palestinian buildings adjacent to residents of Nablus from harvesting olives. (News Asia) the areas planned for a new road to link the Settlers confiscate olives from Yanun, and and Hebron. (Ha’aretz) the IDF prevents residents from November 27 The IDF kills three Pale- from harvesting olives. In Beit Furik, har- stinians attempting to infiltrate the Gaza December 12 Palestinian gunmen kill two vesters are unable to reach their land to pick settlement of Rafiach Yam and Atzmona. Israeli soldiers at a guard post between olives because of movement restrictions (Hear Palestine) Hebron and Kiryat Arba. (Arutz 7) imposed by the IDF. (WAFA) Palestine Report announces that since the A spokesman for the Hebron Jewish November 13 Israeli defense minister start of the al-Aqsa intifada, the Palestinian Community states, “Blood is cheap in Shaul Mofaz tells the that in the Agricultural Relief Committee has built 211 [ Jewish] Hebron. It has been a month since preceeding month, the IDF has dismantled agricultural roads to serve more than 300 12 men were killed by terrorist gunfire [very 23 illegal outposts and evacuated 60 others. residential areas in the West Bank and Gaza. close] to tonight’s attack. What did the gov- (Kol Yisra’el) The construction has provided work for ernment do? No buildings were destroyed, 5,000 laborers who have been unable to the incitement continues, the inciters have November 14 Israeli bulldozers supported work inside the Green Line, and 2,200 fami- not been apprehended, and the terrorists’ by the IDF clear 10 dunums of land and lies have benefitted directly from the roads, arms have not been confiscated. The new demolish water networks and the main water which help farmers reach their cultivated neighborhood linking Hebron and Kiryat well in the Palestinian area around the set- lands. Arba has not yet been approved. Such negli- tlement of Kfar Darom. (Hear Palestine) gence only encourages terrorists to murder, November 29 A Palestinian youth is killed again and again.” (Arutz 7) November 15 Three settler families set up and three Israelis wounded in armed con- camp in a clearing alongside a road to frontations inside the Bedolah settlement, in Hear Palestine reports Israel demolishing Hebron after Islamic Jihad members Rafah. (Hear Palestine) seven homes in Hebron’s al-Rajabi quarter, ambushed Israeli soldiers. Visiting near the Ibrahimi mosque. member Eli Cohen says, “If you come here December 1 The Knesset Finance Com- in three years, you will see this neighbor- mittee approves the allocation of $10 million A Palestinian from al-Maghazi refugee camp hood connected to historic Hebron. This is a for building bypass roads in the West Bank. is killed near the Netzer Hazani settlement historic moment.” (Ha’aretz) (Ha’aretz) in the Katif bloc while trying to infiltrate it. (Hear Palestine) November 17 Kiryat Arba settlers set up December 2 The IDF posts notices order- an outpost at the site of an attack against ing property seizures and house demolitions December 13 Hear Palestine reports, armed Israelis who were providing security along the length of a street in Hebron that “Israeli bulldozers leveled over 20 dunums of for worshipers on their way to the Tomb of will be used to link the Hebron and Kiryat agricultural land southwest Deir al-Balah the Patriarchs. The IDF begins uprooting Arba settlements. Sixty buildings and pieces today as well as destroyed water and electric- trees and destroying houses. (Ha’aretz) of land will be seized on al-Haram St. for ity networks in the area. Two tanks and a “military necessity.” About 15 buildings are bulldozer took off from Tel Katif settlement November 18 A U.S. State Department abandoned or falling down, but 30 or so under intense fire and headed towards al- spokeswoman declares, “We believe that, families still occupy about half the street. Baraka area where vast areas of agricultural consistent with the Mitchell committee rec- () land were destroyed. Bulldozing activities ommendations, Israeli settlement activity also took place on land northeast of al- An IDF soldier sustains light injuries when should halt. We understand Israel’s right to Qarara. Over 300 fruitful olive, palm and fig an armed Palestinian attempts to infiltrate defend itself against the perpetrators of the trees were destroyed, around 400 meters Netzarim in the Gaza Strip. (Israel Line) [Hebron] attack but continue to urge both away from Kisofim settlement road. Over 60 sides to refrain from unilateral actions which December 3 Yediot Aharonot reports that dunums of agricultural land were demol- aggravate an already dangerous situation.” more than 1,000 Palestinian olive trees have ished.” (Reuters) been sold to nursery owners in Israel. “By Residents of Bethlehem are placed under cautious estimate, at least 2,000 olive trees An Israeli woman is killed and another curfew for the thirtieth consecutive day. In have been uprooted in recent months. Some injured in an ambush near the West Bank Hebron, a curfew continues for the thirty- are destroyed in the process.” It was noted settlement of Rimonim, northeast of fourth day. (Hear Palestine) Ramallah. (Ha’aretz) that some trees are returned to their Palestinians owners to be replanted, but December 15 “At the weekly Israeli cabi- November 26 Police arrest three settlers most are sold. (Boston Globe) net meeting, Chief of Staff Ya’alon reported

6 ❖ Report on Israeli Settlement March-April 2003 SETTLEMENT TIME LINE that since Operation “Defensive Shield,” outpost in the middle of Hebron, established rant in the Otniel settlement, south of more that 4,700 Palestinians involved in ter- after the November 15 ambush that killed Hebron. Both Palestinians are killed by the rorism have been arrested and 109 homes nine Israeli soldiers and three security volun- IDF. Sary al-Quds, a faction of Islamic have been demolished in Judea and Samaria. teers from nearby Kiryat Arba. Zvi Katzover, Jihad, claims responsibility. (Hear Palestine Approximately 200 terrorists, who attempted mayor of Kiryat Arba, said to Army Radio, and Ha’aretz) to infiltrate communities and cross the fence “The evacuation was pointless. We plan to December 28 Al-Ayyam reports IDF con- into Israel, have been killed in defensive return and settle there and soon.” (Mideast fiscating 20 dunums of land belonging to the actions in the Gaza Strip.” (Cabinet Mirror) al-Rawashi family, near Kfar Darom. Communique) December 21 A Palestinian is killed dur- The IDF imposes a curfew on Dura and The Relief and Works ing an attack on an Israeli settler convoy blow up two homes. Five residents are Agency reports that by the end of October near , in Rafah. (Hear Palestine) wounded. (Hear Palestine) 2002, 639 shelters accommodating 888 fam- December 23 Arutz 7 reports the IDF rec- ilies had been destroyed or damaged beyond An Israeli tank opens fire and kills a Pale- ommending that YESHA residents not repair in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli stinian youth attempting to approach a mili- hitchhike after learning that abductions may military activity: 519 shelters for 739 refugee tary post near Netzarim. The youth, a be made in order to swap settlers in families and 120 shelters for 149 non-refu- Hamas member, was killed near the settle- exchange for detained Palestinians. gee families. ment. (Hear Palestine) The bloc has grown by 117 December 16 The General Committee for Central Command Maj.-Gen. Moshe families in two years. Bat Ayn has grown by the Defense of Land reports that bulldozers Kaplinsky announces that special security 17 families, Tekoa by 14, and Karmei Tzur have cut a road 4 kilometers long and 25 zones have been established around the set- by 13. (Arutz-7) meters wide on hills and agricultural fields in tlements of Otniel and Beit Haggai, south of the area south of al-Bireh and in al-Jadira, December 24 A report issued by the Hebron. The decision means that no “for- northwest of Jerusalem. (Hear Palestine) municipality of Bethlehem claims that 7,223 eign elements” will be allowed within 400 buildings have been damaged and 78 com- meters of the towns. December 17 Ha’aretz reports that the pletely demolished by Israeli incursions this IDF has halted plans to demolish five hous- December 29 The IDF announces that year. (WAFA) es in Bethlehem after learning that the own- it has foiled 21 infiltration attempts into ers are peace activists who enjoy the patron- December 25 Two Palestinians are killed settlements in the preceeding month. age of the U.S. embassy and Senator Hillary by IDF tank fire while attempting to (Ha’aretz) Clinton. approach Netzarim. (Arutz 7) Ha’aretz reports that since September, 78 December 19 Israeli defense minister December 27 Four settlers are killed and houses have been demolished in the West Mofaz orders the evacuation of an illegal ten wounded by two Palestinians in a restau- Bank.

Population in Settlements with More Than 5,000 Inhabitants, 2001*

Settlement 2001 2000 1999 1995 1994 1993 1992 1990 1983 1980

Ariel 16,000 15,600 15,100 13,200 12,800 11,800 10,400 8,000 1,200 700

Giv’at Ze’ev 10,500 10,300 10,000 7,100 6,700 6,400 6,100 4,800

Ma’ale Adumim 25,800 24,900 23,800 18,000 18,400 16,900 15,200 13,500 3,500 300

Katzrin (Golan Heights) 6,100 6,200 5,000 5,000 4,400 4,200 3,700 1,900 1,000

Kiryat Arba 6,400 6,400 6,240 5,700 5,100 5,100 4,900 4,300 2,900 3,000

Population Total 64,800 63,400 55,140 49,000 48,000 44,600 40,800 34,300 9,500 5,000

*Excluding East Jerusalem. Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Abstract of Israel, 2002, Table 2.14.

March-April 2003 Report on Israeli Settlement ❖ 7 SETTLEMENTS EXPAND SECURITY PERIMETERS

Israel’s attorney general Elyakim Rubinstein has deter- controlled areas is being taken because of the increased inci- mined that “existing security circumstances leave no choice dence of Palestinian attacks on settlements. Extensive land- but to permit in principle the establishment of security zones clearing operations around Gaza settlements have been around settlements. underway for some time. Rubinstein has asked elected officials in each settlement in In order to confront the growing phenomena of Palestinian the West Bank to sign a statement promising that they will infiltration raids on settlements, the IDF has also moved not expand construction into the new security zones being many company and regimental outposts inside the settlements created around every settlement. Some leaders are refusing to themselves. make such a commitment. They argue that in many cases, the Budgetary restraints promise to stretch completion of the land inside the new perimeter is within the master plan project over many months. In the meantime such settlements boundaries for the settlement, and by signing such an as Karmei Tsur, where two settlers were killed by a Palestinian agreement, settlements might compromise their ability to intruder, have decided to improve the existing security peri- expand into territory for which they have statutory planning meter by deploying concussion grenades connected by trip authority. wires along its length. Residents of the Jordan Valley settle- Palestinians who find that their lands or travel routes are ment of Ma’ale Ephraim suggested to Minister of Defense affected by the new “special security zones” are to be assured Shaul Mofaz that they plant illumination mines around the use of these lands “after they pass a security check,” according existing fence. The IDF remains opposed to such “non-selec- to Rubinstein. Israel is prepared to pay compensation to tive” measures and the causalities that they might produce. landowners whose property is expropriated for construction of There are also calls to create “sterile areas” along highways security fences. where attacks on settlers have occurred. The Ofra-Shilo- Initial plans are to construct security perimeters 300 meters Ma’ale Levona area east of Ramallah is one such location. distant from the existing perimeter, defined by interior and Binyamin Regional Council head Pinchas Wallerstein sup- exterior electronic fences, around 30 settlements. There will ports the creation of such a zone 100 to150 meters wide on be “special open fire regulations” in the zones. The length of both sides of the main highway. “Whoever enters that zone an average perimeter is 6–7 kilometers. The construction must be considered suspicious,” Wallerstein explained. “The cost for the more than 150 settlements in the West Bank is Arab residents will simply have to pay the price of not travel- estimated at $200 million. This expansion of settlement- ing in this area.”

“The prolonged Israeli-Palestine conflict is furthering anti-American sentiment, increasing the likelihood of terrorism directed at United States interests, increasing the pressure on moder- ate Middle East regimes and carries with it the potential for wider regional conflict. With each side determined to break the other’s will, I see no end to the current violence. It seems to me that this is our greatest omission, of putting that crisis on the back burner and not moving it forward to resolution.” Testimony of Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, Director Defense Intelligence Agency, before the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, February 11, 2003

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