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Construction Freeze? - A report on Construction in the settlements
09/12/2009

According to data gathered by "Peace Now" construction in the settlements approved by the government, as part of the agreement in the freeze, is still higher on average then construction currently approved and taking place in the rest of Israel.
3,492 housing units in the settlements were approved for construction to take place during the freeze, while in the territories live approximately - 300,000 settlers, which averages to approx -1,167 units for every hundred thousand inhabitants.
However, according to the Israeli CBS, at the time of this freeze, Israel is currently building 836 housing units for every hundred thousand inhabitants within the Green Line.

Examples:
1) Ma'ale Adumim - 476 units are being built in the 10 months freeze period
Compare this with the small number of housing units in cities similar in size in Israel:
Rosh Hayin - 149 units
Kiryat Bialik - 160 units
Dimona - 59 units
Or Yehuda - 12 units
 
2) The settlement of Ariel will build during the freeze 146 units
Compare this with the small number of housing units in cities similar in size in Israel:
Beit Shean - 21 housing
Sderot – 32 units
Kiryat Tivon - 51 units.

3) Even the ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel are discriminated against compared to ultra-Orthodox settlements in the territories.
864 housing units in the ultra orthodox settlement Modi'in Illit, compared to 73 housing units bring built in the ultra orthodox town of Elad within the Green Line.

Conclusion:
The settler’s claims of discrimination and attempts to “dry out” the settlements have no basis in reality, even during the freeze a larger number of housing units than the national average will be built in the Occupied Territories.

B. Weakening of the freeze:


The settlement of Adam - November 29, 2009


The settlement of Oranit - faked construction start - December 7, 2009


The settlement of Elkana - faked construction start - December 7, 2009

During the last few days were dozens of sites in at least 8 settlements where the settlers have set up fake foundations so to obtain a building permit at the last moment.
In at least ten settlements violations of the freeze orders were found.
In addition, the Exceptions Committee set up by the Defense Minister is busy confirming continuation of projects without releasing the information to the public.


C. Special activity of "Peace Now":
Following the wave of calls we have received from settlers and soldiers who express disgust at the behavior of the settler leadership in the area, and have been calling us to report on violations of the freeze orders, "Peace Now" is opening a special “hotline” to receive these calls from the ground – we invite you to call us on 1-700-70-1967.


Groundworks for new construction in the settlements - which are forbidden under the Settlement Freeze Order

In addition, last week "Peace Now" began to commission aerial photographs of the entire area of the settlements and outposts, in order to create a public database to highlight new construction versus continuation of construction on already existing buildings.
Peace Now will report all discoveries of violation of freeze orders directly to the Prime Minister’s office and to the Ministry of Defense and we also will work on a legal level against municipal leaders, contractors and individuals who make law into their own hands in the West Bank.

 
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