The settlements’ outposts: another Israeli Impediment to the peace process

The settlements’ outposts: another Israeli Impediment to the peace process

The Israeli outposts' phenomena started back in the year 1996 with the 'Sharonian' call for Jewish settlers to take control of hilltops and lands in the West Bank before 'losing them to Palestinians'  in any future peace framework between the two sides.  

 

'Everybody has to move run and grab as many hilltops as they can to enlarge the settlements because everything we take now will stay ours …everything we don't grab will go to them.' Ariel Sharon addressing a meeting of militants from the extreme rightwing Tsomet party. Agence France Presse November 15 1998.

 

 

Despite the fact that the successive Israeli governments have not given any such phenomenon a legal cover, it nevertheless, has provided security and logistical cover to its presence and survival, where the Israeli army has helped the Israeli settlers move to such locations and provided them with the essential infrastructure to ensure their survival there.  

 

And contrary to the given facts, the Israeli government denied its knowledge of the existence of these outposts under the pretext that such outposts were established away from any formal governmental procedures and as a result, Israeli settlers have succeeded since that time and until the date of this report to erect 220 illegal Israeli settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, where they constitute a real impediment to the progress of the peace process. See Map 1

 

On the other hand, the Israeli government sought in previous years to justify the construction of these outposts, or in some of them at least, citing the classification of this construction and expansion as new neighborhoods in existing settlements and not outposts as 'claimed' by Palestinians. This has brought the total number of settlements outposts in the West Bank to 56 by the beginning of the year 2001.

 

The Israeli Settlements' Outposts and the Road Map

On June 24, 2002, a 'Quartet of international entities: the United States, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations adopted what is known today as the 'road map' which stated that among the obligations Israel should during the first phase of the Road Map is to 'immediately remove the settlements' outposts established since March 2001'. Contrary to this, Israel defied what has been agreed upon by the entire international community and opened the door for Israeli settlers and with the indirect encouragement of the former Israeli Prime Minister 'Ariel Sharon' to establish more outposts in the West Bank, and seize more Palestinian Land in the West Bank and transform them into outposts; thus, adding to the number of outposts established in the West Bank until the year 2001, 164 more, bringing the total number to 220 outposts by October 28, 2007; thus, contradicting with what has been agreed upon in the Road Map.

 

Table 1: Israeli settlements' outposts estalished in the West Bank during the period of 2001 & 2007

Outpost Name

Closest Mother Settlement

No. of Structures

Period

Hill 857/ Jabal Artis

Beit El

32

Jan 2001

Yair Farm

Yakir

29

Jan 2001

Giv'at Salit

Mehola

16

Jan 2002

Nahleil Tel

Nahl'iel

2

Jan 2002

Einav Northeast

Enav

13

Jan 2002

Einav  Southwest

Enav

1

Jan 2002

Einav East

Enav

1

Jan 2002

Ofra East

Ofra

1

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Tal Binyamin Synagogue

Ofra

1

Jan 2002

Rahelim South

Rechelim

14

Jan 2001

Rachelim

Kfar Tapuah

1

Jan 2001

Psagot East

Pesagot

2

Jan 2002

Ma'avar Michamsh

Migron

10

Jan 2004

Neve Yair

Hallamish

5

Jan 2001

Pool hill Compound

Talmon

2

NA

Mitzpe Kramim

Kokhav Hashahar

22

Jan 2001

Elmatan (Ma'ale Shomton South)

Ma'ale Shomron

16

Jan 2002

South Eli

Eli

18

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

East Beit Horon

Beit Horon

3

Jan 2002

West Nofim

Nofim

0

2002 – June 2003

North West Niriyya Construction

Niriyya

1

Jan 2004 – Aug 2004

West Ariel Industrial Park

Ariel Industrial Park

2

Jan 2004 – Aug 2004

Ofra North East

Ofra

13

Jan 2004

Ginot Arye

Ofra

17

Jan 2001

South Ofra

Ofra

2

Jan 2001

East Beit El

Beit El

22

June 2003 – Jan 2004

Beit El East

Beit El

22

Jan 2002

North Modin Illit

Mod'in Illit

3

2002 – June 2003

East Naaleh

Na'aleh

2

Jan 2004 – Aug 2004

Ateret North

Ateret

1

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Mitzpe Shlomo South

Kokhav Hashahar

0

Jan 2003

West Rimmonim

Rimmonim

3

June 2003 – Jan 2004

North Kokhav Hashahar

Kokhav Hashahar

4

June 2003 – Jan 2004

North Maale Mikhmas

Ma'ale Mikhmas

1

Jan 2003

Far North Maale Mikhmas

Ma'ale Mikhmas

4

2002 – June 2003

Mevo Horon Agricultural farm

Mevo Horon

8

Jan 2002

Eli South/Apiryon Hill/Haro'e

Eli

30

Jan 2002

Neve Erez

Ma'ale Mikhmas

7

Jan 2001

North West Shadmot Mehola

Shadmot Mehola

10

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

South Kfar Tapuah

Kfar Tapuah

2

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Nofei Nehama

Rechelim

18

Jan 2002

Derech Ha'avot

El'azar

40

Jan 2001

Giva't Hatamar

Efrat

41

Jan 2001

Giva't Rehavam

Hagai

1

Jan 2001

Old Masuot Yitzhak

Bat Ayin

6

Jan 2001

Hill 652

Bat Ayin

2

Jan 2002

Ma'ale Rehavam

El David (Kfar Eldad) & Izdeba

18

Jan 2002

Karmi Tzur South

Karmei  Zur

1

Jan 2002

Ma'oz Zvi

Mevo Dotan

7

Jan 2001

Migdal Oz West

Migdal Oz

3

Jan 2002

Hill 833

Ma'on

11

Jan 2001

Avigail

Ma'on

19

Jan 2001

Mitzpe Lachish

Negohot

9

Jan 2002

Suseya North

Susiya

2

Jan 2002

Tekoa B & C

Tekoa

26

Jan 2001

Beit Hagai West

Hagai

4

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Alt 673

Bat Ayin

2

Jan 2003

South Kfar Etzion

Kfar Etzion

2

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Qiryat Arba West

Hebron Jewish Quarter

10

Jan 2002

Tzur Shalem

Karmei  Zur

23

Jan 2001

Karmel  West

Karmei  Zur

0

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Susiya Old Synagogue

Susiya

13

Jan 2002

Shima' North (Formely Mizpe Eshtamoa)

Shim'a

16

Jan 2003

Taqu' D

Tekoa

26

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Asa'el

Peza'el

10

Jan 2002

Old Maon Farm

Ma'on

5

Jan 2002

Maon East

Ma'on

1

Jun 2007

West susiya

Susiya

6

Jan 2001

Mirshalem

Negohot

5

2002 – June 2003

Neve Danyiel North

Neve Danyyiel

12

Jan 2002

Antena Hill

Pene Hever (Ma'ale Hever)

1

Jan 2003

Yatir South West

Mezadot Yehuda

5

2002 – June 2003

Mizpe Ishtamoa/Roadblock 850

Otni'el

6

Jan 2002

North  of Rehan

Rehan

2

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

North Hermesh

Hermesh

5

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

South Kadim

Kaddim

9

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

North Maale Efra

Ma'ale Efrayim

2

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

East Niran

Niran

2

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

West Niran

Niran

1

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Mizpe Yeriho North East

Mizpe Yeriho

7

Jan 2002

South Massua

Massu'a

10

Jan 2002

North Sinsaneh

Sinsaneh

3

2002 – June 2003

West Eshkelot

Eshkolot

10

Jan 2006

Bat Ayin East

Bat Ayin

11

Jan 2002

Tekoa D

Tekoa

20

Jan 2002

South Mshoki Dargot

Mshoki Dargot

7

2002 – June 2003

Ramot Gilad

Karne Shomron

9

Jan 2002

Mitzpe Rehav'am Shavei Shomron West

Shavei Shomron

7

Jan 2001

Havat Gilad / Gilad Farm

Moshe Zar

14

Jan 2002

Eli South (Hill 792)

Eli

4

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Elon Moreh Darom

Elon Moreh

3

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Hill 778

Bracha

2

Jan 2002

Hill 725

Yizhar

7

Jan 2001

Kochav Ya'akov West

Kokhav Ya'acov

3

Jan 2002

Tapauch west

Kfar Tapuah

13

Jan 2001

Tapuah B

Kfar Tapuah

10

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Hakaron

Eli

2

Jan 2002

Hakaron (South of Eli)

Eli

1

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Ein Prat

Almon

2

Jan  2002

Shvut Rachel

Mizpe Rahel (Shvut Rahel)

1

NA

Habayit Ha'adom

Mizpe Rahel (Shvut Rahel)

9

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

South Elon Moreh

Elon Moreh

2

2002 – June 2003

North Givat Zeev

Giv'at Ze'ev

2

Jan 2002

West Maale Shamron

Ma'ale Shomron

1

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

South Immanuel (Construction)

Emmanuel

1

2002 – June 2003

Kida/ Adi Ad north

Mizpe Rahel (Shvut Rahel)

28

Jan 2003

South East Itamar

Itamar

7

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Givat Ariel/ Ariel Hill

Yizhar

2

Jan 2003

South Yizhar/Mizpe Yizhar

Yizhar

2

Jan 2002

Kokhav Yaacov South

Kokhav Ya'acov

2

Jan 2002

East Givat Zeev

Giva't Ze'ev

8

Jan 2004

South Kalya

Kalya

3

Jan 2003

Alt 468/ Givat Granit

Neve Brat ( Nofei Prat)

4

Jan 2002

West Kfar Adummim

Kfar Adummim

2

Jan 2004

Adam East (Bne Adam)

Geva Benjamin ( Adam)

2

Jan 2004

North Elon Moreh

Elon Moreh

2

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

North Mevo Daton

Mevo Dotan

6

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

East Gittit

Gittit

5

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

South Mekhora

Mekhora

3

Feb 2001 – Nov 2002

Elon Moreh South

Elon Moreh

1

Jan 2002

South east mizpe rahel

Mizpe Rahel (Shvut Rahel)

1

Befor Nov 2002

North east Pesagot

Pesagot

3

Spot 2004 to Spot 2005

West Alfei Menashe

Alfei Menashe

3

Jan 2004

Tal Menashe Educational Institute

Tal Menashe

23

NA

Itamar North

Itamar

1

Jan 2002

Bracha South/Ein Horon

Bracha

3

Jan 2002

Eli NorthEat neighborhood

Eli

1

NA

Eli West

Eli

1

NA

Eli West closer to Eli

Eli

2

NA

Habayit Haadom (Red House)

Mizpe Rahel (Shvut Rahel)

7

Jan 2002

South of Rotem

Rotem

1

Jan 2004

North Kedumim

Kedumim

25

NA

Shvut Ami

Jit

1

NA

Neve Menachem south

Karne Shomron

4

Jan 2002

Shaharit/ Sheikh Chabah

Bruchin

2

Jan 2003

Ma'ale Israel

Barqan

14

NA

Zayit Ra'anan

Talmon

20

Jan 2001

Nerya

Talmon

70

NA

School Compound/ East of Talmon A

Talmon

14

NA

Caravan Compound

Talmon

23

NA

Nili Northeast

Nili

5

NA

Hashmonaim North

Hashmona'im

2

NA

Psagot South East

Pesagot

30

NA

Mizpe Haai

Pesagot

28

Jan 2001

Migron

Geva Benjamin ( Adam)

60

Jan 2002

Asaf Hill/ T Junction

Beit El

20

Jan 2002

Beit Hagdud/ Eretz Law Institute

Ofra

1

Jan 2004

Ahavat Hayim

Kokhav Hashahar

37

NA

Maale Efriyam Preparatory

Ma'ale Efrayim

35

NA

Omer Farm

NA

5

NA

Mul Nevo

Arvot Hayarden

4

Jan 2001

Givat Zima

Giv'on HaHadasha

12

NA

Heruti

Giva't Ze'ev

2

NA

Kokhav Yaakov East

Kokhav Ya'acov

3

Jan 2003

Ein Mabua

Kfar Adummim

2

Jan 2003

Hill 26

Qiryat Arba'

4

Jan 2002

Building in Shabam Kiryat Arba

Qiryat Arba'

5

NA

Qiryat Arba South/Sde Kalev

Qiryat Arba'

3

Jan 2002

Givat Hadegel/ The Flag Hill

Susiya

38

Jan 2006

Nort East to Tene Omarim

Tene (Ma'ale Omraim)

15

NA

Otniel East

Otni'el

20

NA

Mitzpe Yosef

Bracha

4

Jan 2007

British Police Station

Geva Benjamin ( Adam)

1

Jan 2002

Total

 

1508

 

Source : ARIJ GIS UNIT – 2007

 

 

To Conclude:-

Israel, all along, has sought to mislead the world with the reality of the outposts' by trying to legitimize some of them through issuing ministerial reports where some were considered as legal and others illegal while the truth is that all outposts established in the West Bank since 1996 are illegal and were built on confiscated Palestinian lands with the help and cooperation of the various Israeli ministries which consistently provided these outposts with the required budgets under various allegations.

 

The Israeli government had expressed several times its intention to fulfill its obligations under the road map peace plan but it did not actually work out anything on the ground to transform this intention to reality except for issuing orders to do that. From that point, it must be emphasized that all settlements' outposts are illegal and the need to remove them is necessary to revive the peace process between the two sides (The Israeli and the Palestinian) with the emphasis on the implementation of all evacuation orders and handing over the lands to their original Palestinian owners.

 

 

 Prepared by 

The Applied Reserach Institute – Jerusalem

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: Reports