Contents

Sharon's War for the Settlements
Israel's unprecedented assault against Palestinian-controlled areas in the West Bank is guided by the strategic objective of undermining the prospect of Palestinian sovereignty in these areas and preserving Israeli settlements. Read more

To Our Readers
The Bush Administration must tackle a series of extraordinary challenges if it has decided to win a cease fire and get serious about resurrecting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process: Read more

Short Takes

Settlement Timeline

Israeli Budget Encourages Settlements
The recently passed Israeli national budget for 2002 confirms once again the privileged position of settlers and settlements in the occupied territories. Investment grants to industries located in the settlements increased by 12 percent to $4.6 million. Read more

Seventeen IDF Soldiers Fall in Defense of Netzarim Since October 2000
The isolated settlements in the northern Gaza Strip, Netzarim and Kfar Darom, have usually been the ones in the headlines since the beginning of the fighting. Morag received less publicity, but the situation there is no different. Read more

Settlement-Based Industries Suffer Effects of Intifada
Israeli settlement policies have long focused on the transfer of Israeli civilians to new or expanding settlement communities throughout the occupied territories. There is, however, a less heralded, and by most accounts, far less successful element of Israel's settlement equation--the creation of a viable economic infrastructure in the occupied territories to support this growing population. Read more

Security Council Supports Palestinian Statehood
On March 13, 2002, the United Nations Security Council voted 14-0, with one abstention (Syria) in favor of Resolution 1397, marking the first time that the international body has endorsed the establishment of a Palestinian state. Read more

Back Panel Quote
Journalist Yigal Sarna, Yediot Aharanot, March 19, 2002
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Statistics: Building Permits Issued in Jerusalem, 2001

Statistics: Implementation of House Demolition Orders in Jerusalem, 1990-February 2002

Statistics: Spending on settlements in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights (excluding East Jerusalem) in NIS 2000 Prices, 1990-1999