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REPORT ON IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

A Bimonthly Publication of the Foundation for Middle East Peace Volume 11 Number 4 July-August 2001

SETTLEMENT FREEZE OR ‘NATURAL GROWTH’ IN NEW CLOTHES

By Geoffrey Aronson Arab-Israeli diplomacy. The peace ini- Is this a freeze. I don’t know whether Demands for a freeze in the expan- tiative promoted earlier this year by the [Bush] accepts this or not, but he knows sion of Israeli civilian settlements locat- Egyptian and Jordanian governments that this will happen.” At that time ed in territories occupied by in and the report of a presidentially there were 250,000 Israelis living over June 1967 are now at the center stage of appointed commission headed by for- the 1967 Green Line. mer senator George Mitchell and At a June 27, 2001 meeting with endorsed by all parties have placed a President George W. Bush, Ariel NEWS settlement freeze at the heart of their Sharon refused to entertain the idea of recommendations for stabilizing deteri- the complete freeze at the heart of the The June ceasefire agreement orating relations between Israel and the Mitchell plan, offering instead to sponsored by the United States . restrict expansion to existing settlement has failed to end almost daily vio- The effort to win Israel’s endorse- areas. Asked for Bush’s reaction, Sharon lent confrontations, including ment for a freeze in the growth of replied, “I don’t think that he loved it, more frequent vigilante actions by Israel’s outposts in the , but this is the Israeli position.” settlers. , and East has an Today, after 34 years of Israeli occu- According to MK Mossi Raz, impeccable diplomatic pedigree. Every pation, more than 400,000 Israelis have 1,500 families—about 6,000 peo- president since Jimmy Carter has been settled in more than 200 purposely ple—have moved to settlements endeavored, with varying degrees of built towns, suburbs, and villages in East since January. Since the outbreak commitment, to cajole, convince, or Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the West of the al-Aqsa intifada in Sep- threaten Israeli leaders to undertake a Bank, on lands that at least three mil- tember 2000, 300 to 400 families fundamental change in one of the cen- lion Palestinians consider to be their have left settlements for Israel. tral components of Israel’s security and patrimony. Palestinians who have wit- domestic policy. nessed the doubling of Israel’s popula- Also in this issue: These efforts have uniformly failed. tion in their midst during almost a At Camp David in 1979, Jimmy decade most observers have described as Sharon’s Palestinian State 3 Carter thought that he had won an peace might be forgiven for questioning Settlement Statistics 8 Israeli commitment to a five year freeze. not only Israeli intentions, but those of But Menachem Begin was only pre- their own leadership as well. ——— ——— pared to stop for three months. And he Israel’s effort to literally transform To subscribe to the e-mail version of forgot to tell Carter that the “thicken- the landscape has been undertaken in the Settlement Report: ing” of existing settlements, whose pop- the service of ideology and military [email protected]; ulation then numbered 50,000, would strategy, a winning combination that has leave “Subject” blank. continue unabated. demonstrated its vitality and staying Write: subscribe settlements-L. George Bush and Yitzhak Rabin power in times of war and peace. agreed in 1992 to another freeze, Settlements are the most emotive Visit our website, www.fmep.org, for excepting the “natural growth” of settle- expression of the century-old Zionist back issues of the Settlement Report, ments. Rabin defended himself against revolution in Palestine, the most practi- maps, and current analyses and commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian right-wing attacks for his concession, cal illustration of both the power and conflict. noting with some exasperation, “The construction of 11,000 units continues. SETTLEMENT, continued on page 7 TO OUR READERS FOUNDATION FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE The current U.S. diplomatic effort to Understanding that Palestinian violence implement the Mitchell Report’s call for a is in large part a rebellion by a subject pop- Merle Thorpe, Jr. cease-fire and “confidence building” is get- ulation suffering from onerous Israeli poli- Founder ting nowhere. A total end to Palestinian cies and deep despair, and not, as the new (1917–1994) violence that Sharon demands is improba- mythology claims, a weapon Arafat has ble without prompt relief from Israel’s chosen to destroy peace, does not mean Philip C. Wilcox, Jr. tough policies of collective punishment, violence is to be excused or rewarded. It President including closures, economic sanctions and must be condemned absolutely, as ruinous Geoffrey Aronson demolitions, which provoke and exacerbate for all sides. However, accountability lies, Editor violence. (A genuine settlement freeze is not just with Arafat’s inadequate efforts. Efrat Shvili also a must, though problematical, as point- Israel, on its part, has relied exclusively on Jerusalem Correspondent ed out in this issue. But easing other pres- often lethal and provocative military sures is even more urgent.) Greater dedica- responses and on draconian collective pun- Jenna Beveridge tion by Arafat is unlikely to stop all vio- ishment and repression. No less important, Editorial Associate lence, especially by angry youths and mili- Sharon’s current vision of a peace deal pro- Tobias Van Assche tants who live in Palestinian areas under jected in the map on page 3 offers no hope Intern/Statistician Israeli control. Moreover, Sharon’s demand for Palestinians. for a long “cooling off ” period after a Blanca Madani cease-fire and before confidence-building Webmaster measures begin is unrealistic. Unless confi- ADVISERS dence-building is linked more closely to an end to violence, the Mitchell plan will fail. Lucius D. Battle Landrum R. Bolling —————— —————— Murray J. Gart Peter Gubser Jean C. Newsom Gail Pressberg

TRUSTEES Peter M. Castleman Chairman Lucius D. Battle Calvin H. Cobb, Jr. James J. Cromwell Stephen Hartwell Richard S.T. Marsh Richard W. Murphy William B. Quandt Sally S. Thorpe

The Foundation, a non- profit, I.R.C. 501(c)(3) organization, receives no U.S. or foreign government funds. It supports peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians through mutual recognition and a negotiated Source: Ha’aretz, May 18, 2001. division of historic Palestine. Copyright © 2001

2 ❖ Report on Israeli Settlement July-August 2001 Palestinian Sovereign Areas According to the Barak / Sharon Proposals - 2001

Palestinian Autonomous Areas (Areas A and B) - July 2001 41% of the West Bank Israeli Sovereignty according to the Barak Proposal (Taba January 2001) REHAN 6% of the West Bank Jenin Palestinian Sovereign Areas according to the Barak-Proposal - 2001 (94% of the West Bank) ISRAEL MEVO Projection of Palestinian Sovereign DOTAN Areas envisioned by Sharon - 2001 (43% of the West Bank) SANUR Israeli Settlements / MEHOLA Selected Settlement built-up areas Tulkarm AVNE HEFEZ ENAV SHAVE BARAK PROPOSAL SHOMRON Israeli SAL'IT Sovereignty 6 % Nablus ELON 41 / KEDUMIM MOREH 65% Kalkilya ALFE MENASHE YIZHAR

BRAKHA SHOMRON

SETTLEMTS. r

ORANIT e

v ELKANA i West Bank ARIEL Palestinian R MA'ALE Sovereignty n 87 / 35% EFRAIM SHILO a 94 % BET d r ARYE o

J

SHARON PROPOSAL OFARIM Israeli HALAMISH Control 57% BET 7 / EL 0.4% MODIIN ILLIT GIV'AT West Bank ZE'EV Palestinian Latrun Jericho Sovereignty 121 / 99.6% Salient (No Man's 43 % Land) MA'ALE City limits unilaterally ADUMIM expanded by Israel, June 28, 1967, Jerusalem West Bank Sovereignty Areas,including Number annexed by , July 30,1980 of Israeli Settlements and Percentage of Settlers, Abu KALIA excluding Dis

BETAR EREZ Bethlehem

K.ETZION EFRAT Gaza TEKOA

NEZARIM

K.ARBA SETTLEMENTS Dead Khan Yunis Sea ISRAEL 0 20 KM Rafah SHIM'A 20 Miles Foundation for Middle East Peace Map : © Jan de Jong

July-August 2001 Report on Israeli Settlement ❖ 3 THE MITCHELL REPORT

The following text is excerpted from the Report of the Sharm el- between the two sides. There has in fact been a good deal Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee, headed by former senator of discussion on the question of settlements between the George J. Mitchell, issued on April 30, 2001. two sides in the various negotiations toward a permanent status agreement. [Israeli submission] INTRODUCTION Indeed, Israelis point out that at the Camp David summit Some Israelis appear not to comprehend the humiliation and during subsequent talks, the GOI offered to make signif- and frustration that Palestinians must endure every day as a icant concessions with respect to the settlements in the con- result of living with the continuing effects of occupation, sus- text of an overall agreement. . . . tained by the presence of Israeli military forces and settle- Settlements: The GOI also has a responsibility to help ments in their midst, or the determination of the Palestinians rebuild confidence. A cessation of Palestinian-Israeli violence to achieve independence and genuine self-determination. . . . will be particularly hard to sustain unless the GOI freezes all WHY DID IT HAPPEN? settlement construction activity. The GOI should also give careful consideration to whether settlements that are focal The Palestinian Perspective: Palestinians are genuinely points for substantial friction are valuable bargaining chips for angry at the continued growth of settlements and at their future negotiations or provocations likely to preclude the daily experiences of humiliation and disruption as a result of onset of productive talks. Israel’s presence in the . Palestinians see The issue is, of course, controversial. Many Israelis will settlers and settlements in their midst not only as violating regard our recommendation as a statement of the obvious and the spirit of the Oslo process, but also as application of force will support it. Many will oppose it. But settlement activities in the form of Israel’s overwhelming military superiority, must not be allowed to undermine the restoration of calm and which sustains and protects the settlements. the resumption of negotiations. The Interim Agreement provides that “the two parties During the half-century of its existence, Israel has had the view the West Bank and Gaza as a single territorial unit, strong support of the United States. In international forums, the integrity and status of which will be preserved during the United States has at times cast the only vote on Israel’s the interim period.” Coupled with this, the Interim Agree- behalf. Yet, even in such a close relationship there are some ment’s prohibition on taking steps which may prejudice difficulties. Prominent among those differences is the U.S. permanent status negotiations denies Israel the right to government’s long-standing opposition to the GOI’s policies continue its illegal expansionist settlement policy. In addi- and practices regarding settlements. As the then-secretary of tion to the Interim Agreement, customary international state, James A. Baker III commented on May 22, 1991: law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, prohibits Every time I have gone to Israel in connection with the Israel (as an occupying power) from establishing settle- peace process, on each of my four trips, I have been met ments in occupied territory pending an end to the with the announcement of new settlement activity. This conflict. . . . [PLO submission] does violate United States policy. It’s the first thing that According to the PLO, “In the seven years since the Arabs—Arab governments, the first thing that the (Declaration of Principles], the settler population in the West Palestinians in the territories—whose situation is really Bank, excluding East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, has dou- quite desperate—the first thing they raise when we talk to bled to 200,000, and the settler population in East Jerusalem them. I don’t think there is any bigger obstacle to peace has risen to 170,000. Israel has constructed approximately 30 than the settlement activity that continues not only new settlements, and expanded a number of existing ones to unabated but at an enhanced pace. house these new settlers. . . .” The policy described by Secretary Baker, on behalf of the The Israeli Perspective: From the GOI [Government of administration of President George H. W. Bush, has been, in Israel] perspective, the expansion of settlement activity and essence, the policy of every American administration over the the taking of measures to facilitate the convenience and safety past quarter century. of settlers do not prejudice the outcome of permanent status Most other countries, including Turkey, Norway, and those negotiations. of the European Union, have also been critical of Israeli set- Israel understands that the Palestinian side objects to the tlement activity, in accordance with their views that such set- settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Without tlements are illegal under international law and not in com- prejudice to the formal status of the settlements, Israel pliance with pervious agreements. accepts that the settlements are an outstanding issue on On each of our two visits to the region, there were Israeli which there will have to be agreement as part of any per- announcements regarding expansion of settlements, and it manent status resolution between the sides. This point was was almost always the first issue raised by Palestinians with acknowledged and agreed upon in the other agreements whom we met. During our last visit, we observed the impact

4 ❖ Report on Israeli Settlement July-August 2001 of 6,400 settlers [400 settlers in H2 sector of central Hebron; The GOI may wish to make clear to the PA that a future 6,000 in the nearby settlement] on 140,000 peace would pose no threat to the territorial continuity of a Palestinians in Hebron and 6,500 settlers on over 1,100,000 Palestinian state to be established in the West Bank and Gaza Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The GOI describes its policy Strip.... as prohibiting new settlements but permitting expansion of The PA should prevent gunmen from using Palestinian existing settlements to accommodate “natural growth.” populated areas to fire upon Israeli populated areas and IDF Palestinians contend that there is no distinction between positions. . . . “new” and “expanded” settlements, and that, except for a brief The GOI should take all necessary steps to prevent acts of freeze during the tenure of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, violence by settlers. . . . there has been a continuing, aggressive effort by Israel to Official Responses to the Report increase the number and size of settlements. The subject has been widely discussed within Israel. The The United Nations Ha’aretz English language edition editorial of April 10, 2001 “I also appreciate the Committee’s focus on the negative stated: impact of settlement policy on the prospects for peace.” Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan A government which seeks to argue that its goal is to reach Israel a solution to the conflict with the Palestinians through Israel must recall that the question of the settlements is a peaceful means, and is trying at this stage to bring an end matter that, together with, principally, Jerusalem, refugees, to the violence and terrorism, must announce an end to and borders, has specifically been agreed by Israel and the construction in the settlements. Palestinian side as one for treatment in the permanent status The circumstances in the region are much changed from negotiations. There is nothing in the bilateral agreements those which existed nearly 20 years ago. Yet, President between the two sides that suggests that the question of set- Reagan’s words remain relevant: “The immediate adoption of tlements is to be regarded as one that could be separated from a settlement freeze by Israel, more than any other action, the others and unrelated to the overall solution of those other could create the confidence needed.” problems. Indeed, the Committee itself noted that the issues Beyond the obvious confidence-building qualities of a set- of settlements is one of the core issues to be negotiated tlement freeze, we note that many of the confrontations dur- between the sides. The outcome of such negotiations, in ing this conflict have occurred at points where Palestinians, which each side has legitimate positions and claims, should settlers, and security forces protecting the settlers meet. not be prejudged. Keeping both the peace and these friction points will be very On the substance, it must be recalled that it is already part difficult. . . . of the policy of the government of Israel not to establish new Actions and Responses: We are deeply concerned about settlements. At the same time, the current and everyday needs the public safety implications of exchanges of fire between of the development of such communities must be taken into populated areas. Palestinian gunmen have directed small arms account. fire at Israeli settlements and at nearby IDF positions from within or adjacent to civilian dwellings in Palestinian areas, The Palestinian Authority thus endangering innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians The findings of the committee . . . have gone to the heart alike. We condemn the positioning of gunmen within or near of the current crisis—Israel’s on-going occupation as most civilian dwellings. . . . clearly exemplified by Israel’s continuing policy of confiscat- Economic and Social Impact of Violence: Of particular ing Palestinian territory and destroying Palestinian property concern to the PA has been the destruction by Israeli security in order to build and expand illegal settlements and related forces and settlers of tens of thousands of olive and fruit trees “bypass” roads. and other agricultural property.... The report points to the connection between Israeli- Palestinian violence and Israel’s “settlement construction RECOMMENDATIONS activity.” The report emphasizes that the international com- Rebuild Confidence: The GOI should freeze all settle- munity has universally condemned Israel’s settlement policy ment activity, including the “natural growth” of existing settle- as either the “greatest obstacle to peace” or, just as accurately, ments. The kind of security cooperation desired by the GOI as illegal actions under international law and a violation of cannot for long co-exist with settlement activity described Palestinian-Israeli agreements. We wholeheartedly concur very recently by the European Union as causing “great con- with the committee’s findings that Israel should cease all of cern” and by the United States as “provocative.” its settlement activity and that Israel should carefully consider The GOI should give careful consideration to whether set- dismantling settlements that are particularly provocative flash tlements which are focal point for substantial friction are points. We are also encouraged by a recent Israeli poll indi- valuable bargaining chips for future negotiations or provoca- cating that 62% of Israelis favor a settlement freeze as a tions likely to preclude the onset of productive talks. means of ending the current crisis.

July-August 2001 Report on Israeli Settlement ❖ 5 SETTLEMENT TIME LINE

December 7 A drive-by shooting near December 11 Hear Palestine reports settlers The Jordan Valley settlements end their injures two settlers and two shooting at homes in Burqa, which has been school strike following the acquisition of a soldiers. A Palestinian laborer stabs a settler under curfew for four days. bullet-proof bus. at the Erez industrial area in Gaza. Settlers from Mitzpeh Jericho and Neve December 14 Settlers from Gilo demon- Ha’aretz reports a decision by the IDF to Tzuf block roads to passage by Palestinian strate in front of Prime Minister Ehud increase from 500 to 1,300 the number of cars. Barak’s house, calling for a strong security soldiers deployed to protect settlements. presence in the settlement. Settlers from Patza’el burn tires and December 8 Two settlers are shot and obstruct traffic on the Jordan Valley high- The IDF prevents all Palestinian cars from killed while traveling from the way, protesting the Mekorot company’s deci- using Route 60 near Kfar Etzion and Beit settlement to Kiryat Arba. Another settler is sion to cut water supplies for agricultural Jala. Settlers place themselves at the junc- shot to death and two more are wounded purposes. tions of Ofra and Kfar Etzion, closing the during an attack in Jericho. The IDF reim- roads and stoning Palestinian cars. Settlements in the Jordan Valley close poses a curfew on Hebron’s Old City. schools until enough armored buses are sup- A settler is wounded in a drive-by shooting Settlers from Kiryat Arba close all bypass plied to transport children. near the Halamish junction between Ofra roads and attack Palestinian cars and homes and Shilo. A settler from is fired on Palestinians fire on Gilo, injuring one with live ammunition. The YESHA council in his car near Hebron. A settler is injured woman, and on and . demands that all private Palestinian cars be by rocks thrown at her car near . Two Israeli cars are shot at on the French barred from West Bank roads. Gunfire closes the Tunnels Highway. Hill-Ma’ale Adumim road. Armed settlers take over a home in Hebron’s Ha’aretz reports that PA chairman Arafat Settlers in enter bomb shelters after Baqa’ area (Givat Harsina). Settlers shoot has not visited the West Bank since early exchanges of fire between the IDF and and wound a Palestinian boy in an attempt October due to fears that settlers may try to Palestinians. to take over his house in the village. assassinate him. December 16 According to Arutz-7, more A European Union statement draws a con- December 12 Two settlers from Morag in than 11 attacks are mounted in the occupied nection between Palestinian violence and Gaza are wounded in a drive-by shooting. A territories, including the wounding of a Israel’s settlement policy. settler from Talmon is wounded in a drive- motorist near , a bus shooting near Ofra, shootings at the settlements in December 9 A 13-year-old Palestinian boy by shooting near Na’aleh. An employee of Hebron, and the throwing of grenades at an dies from a gunshot wound inflicted by the Bezeq telephone company is wounded in army jeep near Rafah in Gaza. Israeli settlers in Hebron. According to a roadside shooting attack in the Jordan Palestinian sources, settlers from Kiryat Arba Valley. December 17 Two settlers from Neve Tzuf and Hebron had raided and vandalized Settlers set fire to a furniture storage build- are arrested in connection with the death of Palestinian homes in response to the shoot- ing and a tile sawmill in Salfit. Settlers also a Palestinian whose body was found near ing of two settlers the preceding day. The destroy several commercial shops and facto- Abud. The settlers claim they were attacked settlers contend they were attacked while ries. with stones and shot in self-defense. attempting to occupy a Palestinian home Israel begins construction of a new bypass A settler from Kiryat Arba is charged with that they believe was illegally built. road from Deir Sharaf to the and aggravated assault in connection with the Settlers hold violent demonstrations in Enav settlements near Nablus. wounding of a Palestinian. The settler claims Hebron, protesting the deaths of two settlers he shot after being attacked with stones. Gunfire penetrates the settle- on December 8. ment in Gaza. The head of the Neve According to Arutz-7, more than 15 attacks December 10 Shots are fired at workers Dekalim community center states that, are perpetrated against settlers including constructing a new bypass road connecting “there is a feeling of war here . . . the army shootings at Beit El, Givat Harsina, Neve the Beit El and Psagot settlements. would like nothing better than to close up Dekalim, and Shdermah. Palestinian gunfire closes the Tunnels Highway. Hear Palestine reports settlers shooting at the building altogether, but we object; we homes and a school with live ammunition in expect protection like everyone else.” A settler from Mevo Dotan is shot in his Sila. December 13 Settlers block Palestinian car. Shots are fired at a bus traveling from Morag. The IDF announces new measures designed traffic at dozens of intersections, including to curb shooting attacks on West Bank those near , Beit El, Kiryat Arba, December 18 After two and a half roads: private Palestinian cars with male- Neve Tzuf, Ofra, and Talmon. Neither the months, the IDF lifts the curfew on the only passengers will not be allowed to travel; police nor the army intervenes. Old City and industrial areas of Hebron. army activity will increase at night; Areas A The Palestinian Islamic and National Com- Settlers open fire on and attempt to break are to be placed under closure and Palestin- mittee to Resist Settlements calls on Pale- into the Hawara High School in Nablus, ian villages cut off from cities. The army rec- stinians to boycott Israeli-made goods, say- wounding two students. The settlers sur- ommends settlers travel in pairs of cars to ing “the most dangerous phenomenon is that round the school before the IDF arrives and reduce their vulnerability. of buying Jewish settlement products.” stops them.

6 ❖ Report on Israeli Settlement July-August 2001 SETTLEMENT TIME LINE

Hundreds of religious teachers march in while traveling along the Jerusalem-Modi’in December 23 IDF forces based in Elon Jerusalem, calling for Barak to “act aggres- road, west of Givat Ze’ev. Moreh fire at Azmout and Salem villages sively in order to keep the shooting away causing severe damage. The IDF shoots and wounds two Palestin- from the settlements . . . and from Gilo.” ians after an anti-tank missile is fired at Kfar More than 200 settlers from Betar, near According to Ha’aretz, settlers fire on two Darom. Shots are fired at military outposts Bethlehem, throw stones at Palestinian cars Palestinians near Nablus, seriously wounding in and Katif Bloc and at the Erez near the entrance of Nahaleen village. one. checkpoint in Gaza. A roadside bomb explodes near Ariel. Palestinians fire on Gilo, near Givat Ze’ev, Settlers from attack Hawara and Palestinians shoot at Israeli cars near Elon settlements in Hebron, at Israeli cars on the destroy more than 100 olive trees near the Moreh, Kfar Darom, and Neve Dekalim. Nablus bypass road, and near Ofarim and settlement junction. Settlers fire at Palestin- December 24 The U.S. Agency for Bracha. ian cars traveling in Salfit. International Development earmarks $70 December 19 Shots are fired at Kfar Ma’ariv publishes tenders for 496 housing million dollars for a highway in the West Darom, Neve Dekalim, and at an Israeli car units in Ma’ale Adumim and 212 units in Bank linking Jenin and Nablus. The project traveling between and Itamar. Alfei Menashe. A later edition of the paper will be funded from aid given to the PA fol- prints a statement canceling the tenders. lowing the Wye accords. December 20 Shots are fired at a bus stop near Ofra, Israeli vehicles near Itamar and December 22 A Palestinian farmer is shot An Israeli bus is fired on at the - Neve Tzuf, and at in Katif Bloc. A while working in his field near the Netzarim Karni crossing; a grenade is thrown at IDF roadside bomb explodes between Elon settlement. forces near Netzer Hazani. Shooting is Moreh and Itamar. No injuries are reported. reported at the Nili settlement. Hear Palestine reports seven Palestinians Housing and Construction Minister injured while attempting to stop a bulldozer Settlers block Palestinian traffic on the Benjamin Ben-Eliezer reports that 1,400 working on land to be annexed to the Kfar Jordan Valley highway at two intersections. settlement housing units have been started Darom settlement. One settler calls the action “a way of releas- in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since ing steam” because “the media acts as if the A Palestinian detonates a bomb, killing him- January 2000. Jordan Valley has practically been given self and three Israelis at an inn near the away already.” December 21 An Israeli is shot and killed Jordan Valley settlement of Mehola. ————————— ————————— SETTLEMENT, continued from page 1 seriously entertained by Israel, which ous debate on a settlements freeze, recognizes that such calls are motivated Palestinians need to be reminded of the the tenacity of Jewish nationalism. In by an intention to force an Israeli evacu- old adage: Watch what you wish for, the occupied territories, this ideological ation not only of settlements but also of because it might come true. They have imperative has been married to a mili- the Israeli army from the contested ter- been surprised by the renewed reso- tary strategy intent on assuring Israel’s ritories themselves. Only when PLO nance of the freeze idea in the interna- permanent military control west of the leader Yasser Arafat agreed to drop set- tional diplomatic community, but they Jordan River. Civilian Israel settlement tlements from his agenda in 1993 was are much better prepared to attack throughout the territories was essential the road to the historic Oslo process Israel’s refusal to concede this point to the realization of this goal, explained opened. than to consider how exactly such a Moshe Dayan, who remains the most The failure of final status talks earlier freeze might work, or indeed, if it could important architect of Israeli policy, “not this year, the defeat of Ehud Barak at work: What should it include? How because [settlements] can ensure securi- the hands of , and the is it to be monitored? What penalties ty better than the army, but because rebellion against Israel mounted since would be exacted for transgressions? without them we cannot keep the army last October by Palestinians in the occu- The Palestinian strategy is to rely in those territories. Without them the pied territories have created a diplomat- on the United States and the EU to IDF would be a foreign army ruling a ic vacuum that the call for a settlement negotiate the details of a freeze. Yet the foreign population,” rather than an army freeze is meant, in part, to fill. Israeli historical record suggests that negotia- defending the “right” of its citizens to foreign minister Shimon Peres is search- tions to determine the practical meaning live in their homeland in peace and ing the extensive diplomatic lexicon to of this notion could well result in Pale- security. conjure a formulation that will satisfy stinian acquiescence in a settlement Little wonder then that Palestinian the freeze’s partisans while leaving “freeze” that, like all of its antecedents, efforts during the last decade to condi- unfettered Prime Minister Sharon’s leaves intact Israel’s settlement preroga- tion diplomacy on an Israeli agreement extensive settlement vision. tives. to freeze settlements have never been If a working ceasefire results in seri-

July-August 2001 Report on Israeli Settlement ❖ 7 Housing Starts in Israel and Settlements in West Bank and Gaza, 1990–1999

Construction Starts in Construction Starts in Settlement’s Share of Israel* & Settlements Settlements Construction Starts (units) (units)** (percentage)***

Year Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total

1990 19,380 23,030 42,410 830 980 1,810 4.3 4.3 4.2 1991 61,730 21,780 83,510 7,040 1,070 8,110 11.4 4.9 9.7 1992 22,700 23,330 46,030 5,000 1,210 6,210 22.0 5.2 13.5 1993 6,820 30,160 36,980 400 1,830 2,230 5.9 6.1 6.0 1994 10,460 32,860 43,320 550 740 1,290 5.3 2.3 3.0 1995 27,460 41,440 68,900 1,870 660 2,530 6.8 1.6 3.7 1996 19,440 37,000 56,440 1,000 670 1,670 5.1 1.8 3.0 1997 15,700 36,330 52,030 1,000 900 1,900 6.4 2.5 3.7 1998 9,970 33,730 43,700 1,740 2,160 3,900 17.5 6.4 8.9 1999 9,120 28,090 37,210 1,550 960 2,510 17.0 3.4 6.7

* Including East Jerusalem settlement areas. 3.2 percent of the total (2000 Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel). ** Excluding East Jerusalem (data unavailable). Sources: Statistical Abstract of Israel: 2000 (Table 16.5), 1999 (16.5), *** The population of Israel and the settlements is 6.3 million. The settler 1998 (Table 16.5), 1997 (16.5), 1995 (Table 16.4), 1994 (16.4), 1992 population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is approximately 200,000 or (Table 16.5, pp. 472–73).

The Oslo idea was right. Because the idea of Oslo was to go with the PLO [Palestine Liberation Organization] as a partner. And I am still convinced that the idea was right. There was no better alternative in 1993 and there is no better alternative today.The biggest mistake was to adopt the interim settlement model put forward way back, by [Prime Minister Menachem] Begin. But there were another two important mistakes, particularly in the term of the Ehud Barak gov- ernment. One mistake was that we didn’t treat the incitement problem as seriously as it deserved. I admit that I did not take into consideration the gravity of Palestinian incitement. And the second mistake was the settlements. Because we all believed that peace was just around the corner, we did not devote enough thought to the fact that in the Barak period the number of settlers increased by 12 percent. I think that my and my colleagues’ silence in the face of the expanding settlements was a mistake. Former Labor Party minister Yossi Beilin, Ha’aretz, June 14, 2001

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