Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., November 21, 2009 Kislev 4, 5770 | | Israel Time: 08:21 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Share |
Last update - 00:00 18/03/2002
Peace Now: 34 new settlements since Sharon took office
By Nadav Shragai, Ha'aretz Correspondent

The government has established 34 settlement outposts, including eight over the last two months, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since the February 2001 elections, according to an aerial survey conducted by Peace Now and the results of which were published Monday. All of the outposts have been built at least 200 meters from existing settlements.

Peace Now has not visited the new sites due to the security situation. According to the group, the outposts have an independent infrastructure and thus should be considered new settlements. Peace Now noted that 40 such outposts were established during the Netanyahu government, and that while none were started during former prime minister Ehud Barak's tenure, some of the settlements established in previous years were retroactively given legal status.

Peace Now charged that the Sharon government is systematically violating its public commitment (as stipulated in the unity government's basic platform) not to establish new settlements. "Under Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, the settlers are carrying out an unprecedented takeover of additional lands," according to a statement released by the group. "Either Ben-Eliezer does not control what happens in the field, or he has given in to pressure from the settlers. Both possibilities point toward a deficient performance by someone who presumes to be a candidate for prime minister."

The defense minister's media advisor, Yarden Vatikaim, said that similar reports have been issued by Peace Now in the past and that the Defense Ministry found in these cases that the new sites were "outposts" (ma'ahzim) and not new "settlement points" (nikudot hityashvut). "The defense minister's directive to the IDF and the Civil Administration is to prevent any illegal activity on the ground," Vatikaim said.

The Yesha Council of Jewish settlements said in response that all the sites have been reviewed a number of times by defense officials and have met all of the required criteria. "It would be better for Peace Now to concentrate on locating the weapons given to the Palestinians that are now being used to kill Israelis in Kfar Sava and other Israeli cities," the statement said
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Israel and NATO
Marking improved ties, officials say Israel warship to join NATO naval force
Stadium stopped
Israel is demanding that a nearly completed stadium in the West Bank be torn down
Special Offers
Advertisement
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Date Local Jewish Singles
Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
 Haaretz Hot Topics
Iran elections
Obama speech in Cairo
The Pope in the Holy Land
Durban II conference
Israel vs. Hamas
More Headlines
02:55 Six powers urge Iran to reconsider nuclear deal
23:12 Israel warship to join NATO anti-terror force
03:12 Twilight Zone / Mourning uprooted olive trees in West Bank villages
18:53 Report: IDF arrests 5 Palestinian intelligence officers
19:48 Abbas prods Brazil to help end Iran support for Hamas
20:37 Aluf Benn / The Netanyahu paradox: All-powerful except in one area
19:08 Convicts help rescue neglected Jewish cemeteries in Poland
06:13 TV ROUND-UP: Shalit deal progress; Hamas,Fatah warn of third intifada
06:15 Netanyahu to choose new attoreny general from shortlist of four
23:06 What does Israel have against a Palestinian stadium?
06:23 Report: Jerusalem stabbing of Arab nationalistically motivated
06:21 'Fatah officials warn of third Palestinian intifada'
22:48 Rabin-Clinton deal makes East Jerusalem freeze possible
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved