Sharon Increases Illegal Jewish Settlers in Palestinian Territory by 16%

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The Israeli Interior Ministry released figures on Tuesday showing that the number of the illegal Jewish settlers in occupied Palestinian Territory in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has increased by 16 percent to 236,381 in the last three years since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon came to power in March 2001 — about double the number that existed when Israel signed the Oslo Accords in 1993.

Figures from Israel's Interior Ministry now show the number of illegal Jewish settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip rose to more than 236,000 at the end of 2003, from about 203,000 in late 2000.

Israeli official statements and figures usually exclude counting the number of illegal Jewish settlers and settlements in occupied Jerusalem, as the Jewish state unilaterally declared the Holy City its “eternal and unified” capital, a fact that has been recognized by none in the world community, which still deals with east Jerusalem as an integral part of Occupied Palestinian Territory.

According to Israeli figures at least 210,000 settlers populate more than 15 major settlements illegally in east Jerusalem. None existed in 1967.

For example the fresh figures from Israel's Interior Ministry show that the settlement of Maaleh Adumim, located just a few minutes drive east of Jerusalem, grew by nine percent.

An official in Sharon’s office told AP the prime minister remains committed to the “roadmap.” The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Sharon has not built new settlements, allowing only “natural growth” in existing settlements.

It has been a conscious policy of Sharon and his ruling Likud party to create “irreversible” facts on the ground and foreclose any peace settlement with the Palestinian people that entails Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian land, which the Jewish state occupied in June 1967.

In June, Sharon committed to implement the US-backed and UN-endorsed “roadmap” peace plan, which calls for a freeze in settlement activity. But the Israeli government has continued to issue tenders for the building of more settlers’ housing units.

The “roadmap” outlines the establishment of an independent Palestinian state by 2005. Some 3.5 million Palestinians live in the West Bank and Gaza.

In a recent policy speech, Sharon said he may dismantle some “outlying” settlements as part of a unilateral “disengagement” from the Palestinians if progress is not made on the “roadmap.”

However he had committed to dismantling some of the “unauthorized” 103 settlement outposts that were built after 2001.

According to the Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now, 56 of the 103 outposts in the West Bank were set up after Sharon was elected.

On Tuesday, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) posted eviction orders at four “unauthorized” outposts in the West Bank, though only one was inhabited.

Israeli media reports on Tuesday said that notices were given to dismantle four outposts, but the settlers say they will not go quietly and are considering the possibility of taking their case before the Israeli Supreme Court.

One outpost due to be dismantled is Ginot Aryeh, after orders were signed by Sharon and “Defense” Minister Shaul Mofaz. The other three are uninhabited and the settlers have just three more days to appeal to the military authorities against the evacuation order.

Plans for the dismantling of Migron, an outpost home to 43 illegal settlers, have been shelved amid fierce opposition from the settlers.

A senior Israeli military officer for the West Bank told AFP: “Removing outposts is a big issue because some of our soldiers and commanders live in these settlements and we are dealing with the risk of disobedience within our own ranks.”

The Palestine National Authority (PNA) has criticized PM Sharon's order to remove four “unauthorized” settlement outposts as nothing more than a publicity stunt.

“I think the world is sick and tired of these public relations stunts -- Israelis moving a caravan here and a caravan there,” PNA Cabinet Minister for Negotiations Saeb Erekat told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday.

Separately the Israeli government has decided to double the number of the illegal Jewish “agricultural” settlements in the Syrian Golan Hights, also occupied in 1967, news wires quoted an Israeli official as saying on Tuesday.

Members of Israel’s opposition Labor Party in Parliament have submitted a no-confidence motion against Sharon's government, complaining that his administration has encouraged the growth of the settlements by giving settlers tax breaks and other preferential financial treatment.

Doves within Labor suggested that in order to maintain a Jewish and democratic state, Israel should withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories and confine its borders to the pre-1967 war. Driven by this reasoning, many within Labor made the case that a peace settlement based on territorial compromise would help realize that end. However, Labor failed to lead Israel towards this goal.