News from Peace Now's (Israel) Settlement Watch:

On July 6, 2016 the High Planning Committee of the Civil Administration convened in order to discuss and approve construction plans in the settlements. The committee discussed the approval of 531 housing units in Ma'ale Adumim and the plan to retroactively legalize the illegal outpost of Horesh Yaron, which is located west of Ramallah. Since the beginning of 2016 construction plans for 1,823 housing units in the settlements were promoted. out of the 1,823, 314 are retroactive plans for housing units which were built illegally. It is important to note that the Quartet Report's criticism on Israel's settlement policy focused specifically on retroactive legalization of illegal outposts and illegal construction. 

Additionally, yesterday, July 10 2016, the government approved a transfer approximately 50 Million Shekels to Kiryat Arba and Hebron.

Peace Now: The promotion of plans in Ma'ale Adumim and the retroactive legalization of an illegal outpost are a slap in the face of the Quartet. Netanyahu is signaling to Israel's most important allies that he is not interested in peace and two states but rather in the continuation of the occupation. New Plans in Ma'ale Adumim:

Last week the PM and MoD announced the promotion of 560 housing unites in Ma'ale Adumim and 240 housing units in East Jerusalem. Last week 169 housing units in East Jerusalem (Ramot, Pisgat Ze'ev and Har Homa) were published for depositing. Now we learned that on July 6, 2016, the High Planning Committee approved plans for 531 housing units in Ma'ale Adumim:

Plan number 420/1/24 - 459 housing units discussed for depositing.
Plan number 420/1/4/42 44 housing units discussed for depositing.
Plan number 420/1/4/47 28 housing units discussed for validation. 

All plans are in the heart of the built area in Ma'ale Adumim.

Retroactive Legalization of an Illegal Outpost:

During the same meeting the High Planning Committee discussed plan number 235/11/1 meant to retroactively legalize the illegal outpost of Horesh Yaron, which includes an educational institution and housing for students and staff. This is the 34th outpost which is undergoing retroactive legalization in recent year, despite the heavy criticism of the Quartet on this issue specifically.

1,823 Housing Units in the Settlements Promoted Since January

Despite the impression of a "freeze" which the government and the settlers are trying to create, since January the High Planning Committee of the Civil Administration promoted plans for 1,823 new housing units in the settlements. 314 out of the 1,823 are homes that were built illegally and are now being retroactively legalized. These retroactive legalizations happen often and in small plans that do not receive much public attention. 

Today it is very clear that there is no freeze, not in planning and not in construction.

Government to Transfer NIS 50 Million to Hebron and Kiryat Arba 

Yesterday (July 10, 2016) a plan to assist Hebron and Kiryat Arba with approximately NIS 50 Million was approved during the government meeting. The plan includes funding for community resilience (including education, science, culture, sports and more), for public institutions and infrastructure and for neighborhood upgrading as well as a special grant to the local municipality. The government is expected to discuss assistance to the South Hebron Hills local municipality during next week's meeting. For the official announcement in Hebrew click here.

By transferring millions of Shekels to Hebron and Kiryat Arba Netanyahu Prioritizes the most extreme settlements, that will never be in Israel as a part of an agreement, over the rest of Israel's citizens, and shows, yet again, that he is not truly interested in a two state solution.