Major Israeli Settlement Activities in the Palestinian Territories from January - December 1997

We would like to share with you the continued Israeli flagrant violations and grave breaches of the Interim-Agreement, from January 1997 to 30 April 1997, the Israeli Government waged a major expansion of settlement and confiscation of land in the West - Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, that included among others.

January 1997,

The Israeli Government announced the expansion of the settlements of:-

1- Expansion of the settlement of Biseal - Project # 315 which meant that hundreds of Dunmes were confiscated from Fasial Village in the Jordan Valley - ( Jericho Area) .

2- Expansion of the settlement of Tumar - project # 316 which meant that hundreds of Dunmes were confiscated from Fasial village in the Jordan Valley - ( Jericho Area ).

3- Expansion of the Settlement of Native Higdod - Project # 318 which meant that hundreds of Dunmes were confiscated from Auja village in the Jordan Valley - (Jericho Area).

4- Work began on the Quarry of Wadi Teen in Tulkarem which meant the confiscation of 9900 Dunmes from the villages Ras Jabard, Kfar Sur, Safreen, Kur and Shufa in Tulkarem.

5- The Israeli Government evicted 50 Bedouin families to expand the Maale Adumim settlement.

February 1997

The Israeli Government announced the expansion of the settlement of:-

1- Karni Shamron- Project # 8/117, near the town of Deir Astia in Salfit region in the Nablus Governerate, the expansion included the confiscation of 509 Dunmes of Palestinian land, project announced on February 24, 1997.

2- Confiscation of land south of Jericho that included 208 Dunmes, which the Israeli Government announced on February 17, 1997. (Project # 923/3).

3- Confiscation of 1300 Dunmes in Arab Area in Jenin Governerate to be used for by pass road # 60 ( Project # 901/15 ). February 18,1997.

4- In February the Israeli Minister of Housing announced official Government finance to expand the settlement of Al Mouq, Metsbah Shalim, Kulia and Jaljal in the Jordan Valley, February 12,1997.

5- The Israeli Government announced that the settlement of the Jordan Valley and those adjacent to the green line ( 1967 borders) are classified as development Area, "A".

6- Project 901/5 was announced, which meant the confiscation of 900 Dunmes of Al Khader village near Beathlehem to be used for by pass road. ( February 19, 1997).

7- The Israeli Government announced the confiscation of 234 Dunmes of the Village of Tarqumia near Hebron to expand the settlements of Talim, ( Project # 501) ( February 18,1997).

March 1997

1- The Israeli Government announced the confiscation of 12443 Dunmes of land from the village of Abu Dis, Bethany, Anata, Tur to expand Maale Adumim settlement, and also to link Maale Adumim with Bisqat Zeev (El Project)

Israeli Defense Minister Itzhaq Mordachi signed this special order now known as project # 4/420, 3000 housing units will be added.

2 On March 13, 1997 the Israeli Government announced the expansion of Givat Zeev " B" settlement North of Jerusalem, this meant the confiscation of 200 Dunmes of the land of Jeeb village (Project # 7/4/220).

3- On march 13, 1997, Maale Adumim was expanded by confiscation of 19.5 Dunmes from the village of Abu Dis (Project # 422/1/6/9 ) .

4- The Israeli Government announced the expansion of the settlement of Verd Yariho near Jericho - 41.5 Dunmes were confiscated from the Jericho area and it was announced that 40 housing units will be added to this settlements. (Project # 2/603).

5- 54.5 Dunmes were confiscated from the land of Beithunia village near Ramallah, from the Expansion of the Givat Zeev "A" settlement ( Project # 13/220).

6- The Israeli Government announced the building of 136 housing units in Bisqat Zeev, the land was confiscated from the village of Hizma and Beit Hanina near Jerusalem, ( March 5, 1997) ( License # 96/0286.1).

7- The Israeli Government approved the building of six floors units instead of four floor in the settlement of Bisqat Zeev.

8- On March 14, 1997, the Israeli Government announced the building of 833 housing units in the settlement of ( Almon-Anatot), 1541 Dunmes were confiscated from the village of Anata near Jerusalem, ( Project # 2/226).

9- On March 17, 1997, the Israeli Government announced the expansion of Sha'ri Takfeh 22 Dunmes were confiscated from the village of Mashah and Seneria near Nablus. (Project # 1/123).

10- On March 18, 1997 construction began to build the new settlement in Jabel Abu Ghuniem.

11- On March 19, 1997, the expansion of Majdelim settlement was announced 241 Dunmes were confiscated from the village of Qsra and Jourish near Nablus. ( Project #142).

12- On March 24, 1997, the Israeli Government announced a further expansion of the settlement of Givat Zeev- north of Jerusalem. 783 Dunmes of the village of Beithunia and jeeb were confiscated, ( Project # 9/220, 1-/220 and 14/220- ( 155 housing unit will be added).

13- The Israeli Government ( through Jerusalem municipality approved the construction of 400 housing units in the settlement of Bisqat Zeev. ( March 26, 1997).

14- The Israeli Government announced that construction began in road 4 and 45 in the Jerusalem area.

April 1997

1- The Israeli Government announced the confiscation of 497 Dunmes from the village of Bani Naim near Hebron to expand the settlement of Maaleh Haifer. April 7, 1997, ( Project # 507).

2- On April 13 1997 the Israeli Government announced the confiscation of 1720 Dunmes of the village of Abu Dis, Bethany, SurBaher, Sauhra West, and Tur, to construct a tunnel connecting West Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim settlement, it was also announced that tens of Palestinian homes will be demolished. ( Project # 4751).

3- On April 24, 1997, the Israeli Government began the expansion of the settlement of Efrat, Which meant the confiscation of 400 Dunmes from the village of Artas and Khader south of Bethlehem.

4- On April 27, 1997, the Israeli army evicted 20 families of the farmers and Beduins from Tubas area, near the Jordan Valley, it was also announced by the Israeli Government that will be evicted 5000 Beduins from their current locations in the West-Bank, especially in the Jericho Area, Tubas, Bethlehem, Hebron, and other locations.

5- On April 30, 1997 the Israeli government announced the allocation of $300 million for the construction of by pass roads through out the West Bank, which will lead to the confiscation of thousand of Dunmes from the Palestinian people.

6- On April 24,1997, the Israeli government tried to expand the settlement of Kfar Yam in the Mawasi area in Khan Yunis-Gaza Strip.

7- On April 1997, the Israeli government announced the expansion of the settlement industrial Zone in ( Areal, Emmanual, Kadomim, Adam, and Al fi-Minshah ). All in the West Bank, nearly 3000 Dunmes were confiscated for this purpose.

MAY 1997

1 - On May 11,1997 the Israeli Government announced the expansion of Tumar Settlement in the Jordan valley. (project # 31611).

2- On May 13,1997 the Israeli Government announced the expansion of Adoura Settlement in Tarqumia in the Hebron area 206 dunmes were confiscated for theis purpose. (project # 516).

3- On May 4,1997 the Israeli Government began building 62 housing units in Allon Morch settlement in the Nablus area. (project # 41107) 66 dunmes wew confiscated.

4- On May 18,1997, the expansion of Orniet settlement began, 147 dunmes were confiscated from Sineria village in Qalqlia area. (project # 9/121).

5- On May 18,1997, the Israeli government began the expansion of Alefa Menshah near- Azzoun village Qalqelia aria, (project # 12/115).

6- On May 20, 1997, the Israeli government announced the expansion of Beit Harou settlement near Beitunia in Rammallah area, 171 dunmes were confiscated, (project # 213).

JUNE 1997

1 - On July 12, 1997 the Israeli government announced the new settlement (Har Humda) Nablus area.

2- On June 13, 1997 the expansion of Beit Hafra settlement began near nabi Mousa in the jercho area, 611 dunmes were confiscated.

3- On June , the Israeli government announced the expansion of Yatshar settlement near Bourin in the Nablus area.

4- On June the infra-structure work on “stage b” of Bourkan industrial (zone began 400 dunmes were confiscated from villages in the Salfit area.

5- On June 12, 1997 the Israeli government announced project (4894) to construct central bus station in east Jerusalem and a new hotel.

6- On June 29, 1997 the Israeli government announced (project # 5156) to expand the religious school of Shove beimem in east jerusalem aqbat Al-Khaldya neighbourhood.

JULY 1997

1 On July 25, 1997 Ehud Olmert announced the building of a new settlement quarter in Ras-Elamud in East Jerusalem.

2- On July the Israeli government announced further expansions of the settlements in the Jerico area.

3- On July 8, 1997 the Israeli government announced “project # 2/1/226” for the expansion of Allon settlement near the village of Anata in the area of East Jerusalem. The expansion meant the confiscation of 1541 dunmes to add 833 housing units.

AUGUST 1997

August 17, 1997 the Israeli Government announced "project 3139 A" to expend ( Nahlat Shinon) in East-Jerusalem, the expansion will include a bus station and three hotels. The land was confiscated from the Islamic Waqaf and Palestinian Shawer family in 1968.

On August, the Israeli government announced the expansion of :

a : Suisa settlement “project # 523”, Hebron area. More land was confiscated from the town of Yatta.

b : Tinah-Qumarim settlement “ project # 515”, Hebron area. More land was confiscated from the town of Daberyia.

C : Kirtat Arba settlement “project # 19/5/0”, Hebron area. More land was confiscated form the city of Hebron.

SEBTEMBER 1997

1- On September 7,1997, the Israeli Government announced the confiscation of 52 dunmes of the Khader village in Bethlehem , to widen road # 60'(project # 901/5/1).

2- The Israeli government announced the expansion of Nahleil settlement (project # 239/1) in Rammallah area . It should be noted that the settlement was built on 2100 dunmes confiscated from the villages of Kuber, Beittio, and Mazerah Sharqia in 1984.

3- On September 1, 1997, the Israeli Government began the expansion of Talmoun D settlement by adding 13 Caravans, the land was confiscated from the Mazerah village in Ramallah area.

4- On September 12, 1997, the Israeli government announced (project # 115/12) to expand Alefi-Menshi settlement near the town of Azoun in Tulkarem area.

5- On September 12, 1997, the Israeli government announced (project # 226/2) to expand Alon settlement by adding 833 housing units on 1541 dunmes confiscated from Anata village near Jerusalem.

6- On September 15, 1997, the Israeli government announced (project # 51/107/3) to expand the settlement of Neve Samaul near Beit Aksa village in Jerusalem.

OCTOBER 1997

1 - The Israeli government announced the confiscation of 200 dumnes from the villages of Aboud,, Shubaqa and Shibteen for use on road 445 that will link Nilli settlement with Ofarim settlement.

2- The Israeli Government announced the expansion of Enaf. settlement by adding 10 housing units, in the Tulkarem area.

3- On October 5, 19971, the Israeli government announced military order (# T/28/97), to construct a new road near Halhoul in Hebron area. 20 dunmes were confiscated from the town of Halhoul.

4- On October 8,1997 , the Israeli government began the work on the infra structure of a new settlement near Kiryat Saver.

5- On October 10,1997, the Israeli government announced (project # 989) to pave road # 90 in the Tubas area.

6- On October 13,1997 the Israeli government announced the expansion of Bisgat Zeev settlement by adding 338 housing units, (project # 3381 A).

NOVEMBER 1997

1- On November 1997 the Israeli Government announced (project # 240/1) to expand Givaat Binyamin on the Jerusalem area, this meant the confiscation of 424 dunmes of Jaabh village.

2- On November 1997, 397 dunmes wew confiscated of town Daheryia near Hebron for the expansion of Shuneia settlement by adding 145 housing units, (project # 514).

3- On November 1997, construction continued to build the new settlement of Orr Tesemeh in the Ramallah area 541 dunmes were confiscated from Baleen and khrabath, (project # 210/4/1).

DECEMBER 1997

1 - On December 8, 1997 the Israeli government confiscated 277 dunmes from Samau, Dura and Yate villages in the Hebron area to expand Etaneal settlement (project # 512).

2- On December 1997, the Israeli government announced the expansion of Tauka settlement in the Bethlehem area (project # 412/4/2).

3- On December 1997, the Israeli government accounted the plans to establish an Israeli industrial zone in Jaaba village in the Jerusalem area (project #241).

4- On December 1997, the Israeli government announced the expansion of Rihan settlement near Yabed in the Jenin area.

5- On December 28, 1997 the Israeli government announced the expansion of Beit El settlement near Rammallah and Nitseent settlement in the Gaza strip.

6- On December 29,1997 the Israeli bulldozes began work on the 4.000 dunmes that were confiscated from the town of Salfeet and Shahkha and Yassof villages.

7- On December 30,1997 the Israeli bulldozers uprooted 400 olives trees near the town of Tamoun in Tubas.

8- During 1997 the government of Mr. Netanyaho constructed six major by pass roads, built 12 mew settlements and tight industrial zones in the West-Bank.

It should be noted that the majority of the above mentioned projects were approved by prime minister Binjamin Netanyahu and signed by Defense minister Itshaq Mordechi.

All attempts and calls made by the Palestinian Authority, Arab countries Russia the USA the European Countries and other nations, in order for the Israeli Government to halt such actions, and to put the peace process back on track, were to no avail.

The Israeli Government continues with its unilateral steps of settlements activities, including the new settlement of Jabel Abu Ghuneim, massive confiscation of land, homes demolition, eviction of people, by pass roads, collective punishment through the west Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

The peace process can not be put back on track with the continuation of the above mentioned Israeli unilateral steps.

Once again, we call upon your Government to participate with us in our efforts to stop the violations of the Israeli Government before we all realize it is too late.

A Map of the Current Israeli Settlements Activities- 1997