1997 - A look back at the year in settlement

A report issued by the Orient House in Jerusalem documents an increasing acceleration in the rate of settlement growth in the West Bank from the beginning of 1997 until the end of December. During this period, a total of 12 new Israeli settlements, eight settlement industrial zones and six new settler bypass roads were established in the West Bank by Israel. The following summary of the Orient House report appeared first in al-Quds on December 30, 1998.

Jordan Valley

In the valley itself, the Israeli authorities announced the expansion of the authorities granted to already established settlements, and the proposed enlargement of highway 90. They also announced their intention to expand existing and establish new settlements in the area southwest of Nablus.

The report indicated that the new industrial zones southwest of Nablus were established for the purpose of securing the geographical continuity of the Jewish population between the 1967 Green Line to the west and the Jordan Valley to the east. Another objective was to expand the area of existing settlements (e.g., Ariel, near Nablus) and create job opportunities for settlers in that area. It should be noted that there is already a college with 2,200 students in Ariel, a settlement which now stretches from Kfar Tfuh at the Za'atara junction all the way to the Green Line (at Ras al-Ein), a distance of 16 km.

The report stated that these industrial zones were established inside the Green Line, far from what had been agreed on, the construction of Israeli industrial zones close to the Green Line, starting from Muqaybala from the north to Khirbat Jamroura west of Hebron. This allows increased Israeli control over West Bank lands and allows continuing environmental pollution of Palestinian skies.

The Road of Peace

This road is considered one of the most dangerous since it separates the northern and southern West Bank regions. There is a project to construct a new road, called the "peace road" for which 1,850 dunams were confiscated.

Intent to Annex

The report highlighted existence of industrial zones near Jerusalem which show that Israel is planning to annex these areas within the framework of "Greater Jerusalem", especially after the announcement of the intention to establish a new settlement between the two settlements of Neveh Ya'acov and Adam. This industrial zone is on the lands of the village of Jab'a, 4,800 dunams of which were confiscated in 1984. There are also industrial zones distributed in the area lying between the south of Nablus northeast Hebron.

Roads Disecting the West Bank

The report confirmed that the north-south and east-west roads which now divide the West Bank into a mosaic of difference geographical pieces, have succeeded in isolating West Bank cities and villages and establishing "strategic roads" [for Israeli purposes]. The objectives of the road planning are becoming clearer" to connect the coastal areas of Israel with the Jordan Valley. The roads which lie in the "Greater Jerusalem" area were intended to swallow large parts of West Bank land, create a new reality, draw new borders and buy more time to benefit Israeli policy.

Accelerated Settlement Growth in Jerusalem

The Orient House report states that there was a noticable acceleration in settlement growth in the Jerusalem area, including the increase of housing units, hence, an increase in the settler population; the continued establishment of settlement belts around the outside of the [expanded] Jerusalem municipality borders; and the redrawing of the city boundaries. These [activities] stand in the way of any Palestinian hopes to establish a capital in Arab Jerusalem.

The report also notes that this policy has taken on a new dimension by announcing a cluster of settlement expansions aimed at linking the settlements south of Jerusalem to those to the north and east of the city. In addition, thousands of housing units have been constructed, and new hotel areas, directed at achieving Israel's economic, political and security goals in Jerusalem, closing off the city's eastern areas and placing all Arab villages inside these belts.

Mt. Abu Ghneim Settlement

In the southeast area of Jerusalem, the construction of infrastructure for the Har Homa settlement was completed at Mt. Abu Gheim. The 6,500 housing units to be established at the site are central to achieving a demographic and geograghic balance [favoring Israel].

To the west of this settlement, the planning for the Khirbat Talbiya area (Giva'at Hamatos) has been completed for the establishment of 4,600 settlement housing units. There is also a large hotel area, aimed at destroying the Palestinian economy which depends on tourism, especially since this project is only a few minutes away from Bethlehem.

The Reality

The Orient House report revealed that Israel has begun to request the help of settlers in outlining its new settlement policy, which entails establishing new settlement areas which will in effect expand the existing borders of settlements. These areas will be created through the use of mobile housing caravans, which [unlike other housing units] do not require a permit from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

These caravans were already used to start on implementing the new settlement plan. The inhabitants of Ofra settlement established a new settlement only three kilometers to the east by setting up six caravans in the Thahr al-Mazari' area of Silwad. A road was then established connecting this new area with the main road and the caravans were hooked up to the electricity grid. These moves have served to expand Ofra's influence and include it within the map of Israeli security interests, since it lies north of al-Assour mountain....

Structural Projects in Progress

Bypass Roads

Road Projects For Which Plans Were Announced

Road Plans Which Were Put Into Effect

New Settlements

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