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Land Confiscations

Since 1967 Israel has also pursued a policy of land expropriation of Palestinian land in the Occupied Territories. So far, it is estimated that 212 settlements have been built in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The houses located in the settlements are designated for Jewish people only. By establishing settlements Israel is creating irreversible facts on the ground. The de facto annexation of large parts of the territories presents the Palestinians with a 'fait accompli' obstructing progress to a lasting peace.

The creation of bypass road is a consequential effect of settlement construction. Bypass roads are built to enable settlers to literally 'bypass' Palestinian towns and villages and to connect Jewish settlements to each other and to Israel proper. Currently, 12 new 'bypass' roads are being constructed in the West Bank, a network that was not designed to serve the needs of Palestinian population.

For the period covering January 1 to June 30 1999, the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human rights and the Environment (LAW) reported 10,024 dunums confiscated and 14,678 dunums levelled to build either bypass roads or settlements. In addition 2,265 trees were uprooted and 34 houses were demolished in the West Bank including East Jerusalem this year. The aims of such policies have been to prevent the growth and development of the Palestinian communities and increase the number of Israeli settlements.

For more information check out LAW's website at www.lawsociety.org


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