Summary - Peace Now Settlement / Outpost Report 2006
Part A – Settlements
In the past year the number of settlements did not grow and remain at 121.
Number of Settlers: According to the Interior Ministry figures 268,000 settlers resided in the settlements in 2006 a growth of 5% as compared to 2005.
In reality the growth of the settler population remains on a steady rate, and 3 times higher then the rate amongst Israel proper. The main growth in numbers is due to the movement of ultra orthodox families to like minded areas in the occupied territories, and the large birth rate, which turn places like Modi‘in Illit and Beitar Illit into the largest settlements in the West Bank.
Tenders: In 2006 a total of 952 tenders were published for construction contracts in the occupied territories, all of these were published post general elections (March 2006). In comparison in 2005 there were a total of 1184 tenders published.
Construction Starts: According to the Central Bureau of Statistics in for the first three quarters of 2006 a total of 1,272 construction starts were recorded. This is in contrast to 1,727 during 2005. However on the ground there is no significant change in the number of construction starts in comparison to the previous years.
Special Security Areas: In 2006 special security areas were constructed surrounding 6 settlements in the heart of the West Bank, east of the fence: Ateret, Nahaliel, Shavei Shomron, Avnei Hefetz, Karmei Tzur, Enav. In 2007 further security areas are planned to build around the settlements of Susiya and Ro‘i.
Bypass Roads and Infrastructure: In 2006 the paving of the Za‘atara bypass road has continued, this bypass road is meant to connect the settlements of Tko‘a and Nokdim with Jerusalem. Also continuing was the work on the Anatot /Mt. Scopus road in order to allow the Anatot settlers to commute to Jerusalem without having to travel outside the fence. Also in 2006 work began to pave the Ofarim – Beit Arye Bypass.
Construction Sites: According to Peace Now evaluations today in the West Bank work on over 3000 units are in place. The largest construction sites can be found in Ma‘ale Adumim, Modi‘in Illit, Beitar Illit, Second largest building sites can be found in Ariel, Efrat, Alfei Menashe and Givat Zeev. Medium-sized building sites are found in El‘azar, Karnei Shomron, Kiryat Arba, Alon (Kfar Adumim),Rosh Tzurim, Nirit site (Alfei Menashe), Kedumim.
For the full settlement report - click here
Part B – Outposts
Number of existing outposts 102
Number of outposts dismantled 1
Number of populated outposts dismantled 0
Number of new outposts established 0
Number of settlers living in outposts approx 2000
Construction in outposts: in 2007 around 90 caravans were added to the outposts and in 30 outposts’ permanent construction are taking place. 22 of these outposts began the permanent construction in 2006.
Most of the changes recorded in the outposts during 2006 occurred in outposts located in the Binyamin regional council. This council also has the largest number of outposts within its boundaries then any other.
Construction and paving of roads in outposts – in 7 outposts construction and paving of roads in and around the outposts took place: Kida, Hahar – Avnei Hefetz, Adei Ad, Nofei Nehemia, Magen Dan, Givat Sal‘it, Hayovel.
Important to note: Despite the state’s commitment to carry out demarcation orders and evacuate 6 specific outposts, in five of them structures were added during the second half of 2006. These are Mitzpe Lachish , T Junction - Givat Asaf, Ramat Gilad, Ma’ale Rehav’am, Mitzpe Yitzhar.
Court Orders: On January 25, 2007 OC central command Yair Naveh signed four orders intended to improve the state’s legal ability to deal with the phenomenon of illegal construction in the territories.
To date there are two Peace Now petitions pending in the Supreme Court against the outposts. The first requesting the demolition of the permanent structures constructed in the outposts Haresha and Hayovel , the second petition requesting the dismantlement of the outpost Migron.
In response to the petition over Hayovel and Hareshsa the state committed in May 2006 to present a complete plan on how to evacuate all outposts, following their own internal mapping process. On March 7 the Supreme Court is supposed to resume the debate on this issue.
Regarding Peace Now’s petition about Migron, the state responded that Migron will be removed, but it is up to the Prime Minister to decide when. An update from the State is supposed to be presented within 2 months.
* Visit the Peace Now website to view the full report.