Settlement construction rate rises 70% in 2013

BY SPENCER HO, TOI

The first half of 2013 marked a 70 percent increase in construction projects started in Israeli settlements compared to the same period last year, according to a report by a left-wing activist organization released Thursday.

Between January and June of this year, construction began on 1,708 units — 180 in illegal outposts — while last year that figure was 995.

The study by the Peace Now group also found that 44% of the new projects were located east of the security fence, and the vast majority of all the new construction, 1,469 units, began without tenders in settlements where they are not required.

In addition, 1,794 units were completed and 2,840 units in total were under construction during the six-month period.

Israel and the Palestinians began a new round of US-brokered peace talks in July after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to start the talks despite continued construction in the settlements and Israel agreed to release 104 Palestinian prisoners.

However, last week Abbas reportedly left on a trip to Europe to lobby for international pressure on Israel to halt settlement construction and told a Palestinian television station that he was considering an appeal to the UN Security Council over what he termed as Israel’s continuous violation of Palestinian property as well as ongoing settler violence in the West Bank. Part of the deal to start the peace talks was that the Palestinians would refrain from turning to international bodies to take action against Israel while discussions were ongoing.

October 17, 2013 | 12 Comments »

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12 Comments / 12 Comments

  1. Ted, let us know as soon as you get the results of the Municipal elections – particularily the outcome of Jeruselem. Thanks bunches!!

  2. CuriousAmerican Said:

    I am surprised they used the term illegal.

    Usually when you read in the Israeli press about “illegal” settlements it means settlements that have yet to be fully approved by Israel. When the internationals use it they mean that all settlements are illegal by virtue of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The Levy Report disagrees and says the FGC does not make the settlements illegal. The Levy Report also recommends that final approval be given to “illegal outposts”.

    Peace Now referenced “illegal outposts”. They mean outposts which have not yet been approved by Israel.

    Yamit, cool it.

  3. @ CuriousAmerican:
    CA, do you really need to reply to rude personal attacks? I see your reasoning as intelligent and quite balanced; your statements are very well informed. I share many of your views, and probably many other people do too.

  4. @ yamit82:
    That may or may not be true but name some of the sites if you can?

    Israpundit for one! Ted not only accepts the Levy Report but thinks it did not go far enough.

  5. @ Bear Klein:

    I wrote the same thing plus a few more additions but all three times they were rejected by the software.

    CuriousAmerican Said:

    Do you read, or just shoot off your bigoted mouth without thinking?

    Yes but apparently you didn’t at least understand what you read. The TOI in strait reporting quoted Peace Now when using the designation of ” Illegal Settlements” So it seem you are the stupid big mouth between us.

    As for me being a Bigot? Been called worse but my answer to you is here: https://www.israpundit.org/archives/63590773#comment-63356000111613

    Most Zionist sites accept the Levy report which says they are NOT illegal.

    That may or may not be true but name some of the sites if you can?

    In any event the Levy Report did not address the legality of existing settlements or illegality of them. The report addressed the right of the State of Israel to build in Y&S only. The GOI never adopted the report and so far has buried it. So it’s mute.

    How should I know what the GOI uses as the definition of illegal? It seems it changes weekly.

    Easy!!! The legality of settlements is what the GOI says they are.

  6. @ CuriousAmerican:
    Peace Now Made the Report, TOI reported on it. PEACE NOW is a foreign funded Israeli enemy of Jews living in Judah and Samaria that is why the use of the term illegal settlements.

  7. @ yamit82:

    @ CuriousAmerican:
    The Times of Israel is a Zionist website. I am surprised they used the term illegal. Usually such sites accept the Levy Report.

    Define the term “Illegal Settlement” in the context of the TOI and The GOI!! What makes them illegal?????

    Do you read, or just shoot off your bigoted mouth without thinking?

    I did NOT say the settlements were illegal. I expressed surprise that the Times of Israel used the term illegal. Most Zionist sites accept the Levy report which says they are NOT illegal.

    How should I know what the GOI uses as the definition of illegal? It seems it changes weekly.

  8. etween January and June of this year, construction began on 1,708 units — 180 in illegal outposts — while last year that figure was 995.

    The Times of Israel is a Zionist website. I am surprised they used the term illegal. Usually such sites accept the Levy Report.

  9. @ NormanF:

    lol. Who are you trying to convince?? The Roman Catholics? The Christians? The athiests? If what you claim is true then maybe we could also ‘steal’ The Rapture that the Christians claim and leave the rest of you behind! Let’s just see how ‘peaceful’ it will be…. The terrorists will immediately become lovers of the human race, the church will no longer discriminate and the athiests will become believers and everyone will be happy happy. As if…..

  10. Its all Israel’s fault there is no peace in the world and the Jooz’ have stolen that proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

    Cue the violins.