Middle East Issues - Israeli Settlements

Har Homa, Israeli Settlement near Bethlehem

Bob's Definition:
A settlement is an Israeli colony built within the Palestinian Territories. The entire international community agrees that they are illegal, since they violate the Geneva Convention. No occupying power is allowed to move their civilian population into the occupied territory, yet it happens daily in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinian land is confiscated and homes are demolished to make room for these Israeli settlements. They are an incredible provocation and aggravation to Palestinians.

Aug 11, 2003 Home Demolitions / Israeli Settlement Tour
Oct 12, 2002 Israeli Settlers Continually Harass Palestinian Christian Family
Oct 10, 2002 Christian Homes Ordered Demolished by Israeli Army
Jun 07, 2002 Settlements
Feb 23, 2002 West Bank Maps
Jan 23, 2002 Hebron (Settlements)

A Better Definition from Americans for Middle East Understanding:
Settlements: Originally any new Jewish development in Israel, but now more frequently used to describe the ring of residential communities constructed around Jerusalem and scattered in strategic areas throughout the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights. Israelis refer to those within the green line as “Jerusalem neighborhoods,” but this is contested by Palestinians and others who note that the status of East Jerusalem is not yet resolved. Most settlements were constructed on confiscated Arab land and at least partially at the expense of the Israeli government. Sometimes called “colonies” these settlements, built for Jews only, often are massive apartment blocks or suburban homes, and are a source of international controversy and Arab anger. Since the Oslo Accords were signed in September 1993, 19,000 new housing units were added, including 3,000 under Prime Minister Ehud Barak. In all, there are now 194 settlements in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and 18 in the Gaza Strip. [www.ARIJ.org; www.fmep.org/home.html; www.gush-shalom.org]