Settlements and Solutions @setandsolutions

First-of-its-kind interactive map of Israeli settlements & Palestinian communities in the West Bank. A @WashInstitute project from @DavidMakovsky. washingtoninstitute.org/westbankintera… Washington, DC Joined September 2018

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

Yesterday, Israel legalized 3 West Bank outposts: Avigail, Asael and Beit Cholga. This decision marks the first time Israel has legalized outposts as separate settlements since 2012 and was made in strong opposition to recent statements by the US. 1/

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

International reactions may become clearer once the new plans are formally announced. Regardless, settlement expansion, particularly east of the barrier, increases the obstacles to a 2-state solution and raises tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. 16/16

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

With no date set/agenda released for the next Planning Committee meeting, current figures and plans may change. It is unclear how the “Quintet” of parties involved in Aqaba & Sharm will respond to the plans. The Sharm communique entailed a commitment to reconvene in Egypt. 15/

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

The Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Ministry responded with calls for sanctions and other punitive measures against Israel, urging the international community to take more substantive steps than condemnation. 14/ mofa.pna.ps/ps/pr1362023

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

State Dept spokesperson Matthew Miller also said that “advancing settlements is an obstacle to peace and the achievement of a two-state solution” and called for all parties to uphold commitments made in Aqaba and Sharm. 13/ state.gov/briefings/depa…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

In line with prior opposition to Israeli settlement expansion, NSC spokesperson John Kirby said that the US doesn’t “want to see actions taken that are going to make a two-state solution that much more difficult to achieve.” 12/ whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

The plans continue to expand Israel’s presence beyond the security barrier. In a potential 2-state solution, the barrier may serve as a border between Israel and a Palestinian state in the West Bank. Further construction east of the barrier undermines Palestinian contiguity. 11/

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

Moreover, majority-Haredi settlements would receive only 12.8% of the planned units, despite their high growth rate that comprise more than 31% of the settler population (Haredim make up 37% of the settler population overall – vast majority live west of the barrier). 10/

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

The location of the plans is not reflective of the settler population. Though only 23% of settlers live east of the barrier, about 40% of the units under consideration (and 56% of deposits) are east of the security barrier, and about 60% west of it. 9/ kan.org.il/content/kan-ne…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

Plan deposits are an indicator of the government’s intentions, since plans may come up for validation months or years after they are first put forward. That 56% of deposits are east of the barrier is a clear indication of a desire to entrench settlements outside of the blocs. 8/

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

Settlement construction plans require a series of approvals. The 2 most important are committee decisions: deposit of plans & validation of plans. Plans must meet technical criteria before deposit, then are opened to public objections, and finally advanced for validation. 6/

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

Under heavy coalition pressure to advance settlements, the gov’t is waiting for the 4-month moratorium on new units set out in the Feb 26 Aqaba Joint Communique to expire at the end of June. The communique was a bid to calm tensions pre-Ramadan. 5/ state.gov/aqaba-joint-co…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

On Monday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, also a minister in the Defense Ministry, implied that the current slate of approvals is part of a compromise with Netanyahu, in exchange for Smotrich’s implicit approval of the E1 postponement. 4/ axios.com/2023/06/12/isr…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

The deferral came amidst US pressure, including last week’s call between Sec Blinken and Netanyahu in which the two discussed upholding commitments made at the Aqaba & Sharm El Sheikh summits and avoiding measures that undermine prospects for 2 states. 3/ state.gov/secretary-blin…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

The reports follow Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent postponement of a meeting set to advance the highly controversial E1 plan, a settlement plan that would severely disrupt Palestinian contiguity in the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem. 2/ timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-said…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

2 years ago

Most plans under review (70%) are at the earlier deposit stage, indicating settlement planners remain behind on submitting new plans. The last committee meeting in February was tasked by a cabinet resolution to advance 10k units, but with few plans ready approved only ~7k. 7/

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

3 years ago

Update: Civil Administration evacuated & dismantled outpost early Wednesday AM, largely w/o incident. While Derech Emunah was only ~15 buildings & families, it will not be the last Haredi outpost, according to settlement activists. timesofisrael.com/ultra-orthodox… washingtoninstitute.org/westbankintera…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

3 years ago

Activists claim that residents come from Jerusalem, Bnei Brak & Beitar Illit, not only Metzad. To understand more about the demography & geography of settlements in the West Bank, visit the Settlements and Solutions interactive map (2/2): washingtoninstitute.org/westbankintera…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

3 years ago

Haredi settlers have built an illegal West Bank outpost, Derech Emunah, near Metzad settlement, ~4.5 miles NE of Hebron & east of barrier. This is 1st time Haredim set up an outpost. Most live west of barrier in cities of Modiin Illit & Beitar Illit. (1/2) timesofisrael.com/activists-esta…

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David Makovsky @DavidMakovsky

3 years ago

The IDF largely prevented thousands of settlers affiliated with splinter group Nachala from establishing 7 illegal West Bank outposts, dismantling all but one by this morning. Nachala crowdfunded over NIS 5m ($1.45m) from 8k+ donors to support effort. bit.ly/3PHgOJo 1/11