News from Peace Now:

Yesterday, January 31, 2017 the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense issued an announcement on the promotion of 3,000 housing units in the settlements. The announcement was issued late last night, possibly under the assumption that all international attention will be directed towards the Amona evacuation.

The announcement is not an official step and is likely to be followed by concrete actions in the coming days in the shape of publications of tenders  and promotion of plans. 

The announcement includes the promotion of 400 housing units outside the so called "blocs," in Nokdim, Shilo, Shavei Shomron and Kfar Eldad. It also includes the promotion of 980 units in settlements that are very problematic for a future agreement. In total, the announcement includes 1380 housing units in areas that are not likely to be a part of Israel in a future agreement. 

Peace Now: "Netanyahu must not let the two state solution be the causality of his fight for political survival. Yesterday's announcement include the promotion of housing units deep in the West Bank and in highly problematic areas for a future agreement. In order to satisfy his settler constituency and divert public attention away from his investigations Netanyau is compromising the future of Israel."

Details on yesterday's announcement:

This announcement comes after last week's announcement on the promotion of 2,500 housing units in the settlements. These announcements are the largest announcement since the Kerry negotiations efforts in 2013-2014.

The table below illustrates the implementation of the announcement thus far, as tracked by Settlement Watch. The table also includes an additional plan that was promoted outside of the 2,500 units, for 68 housing units in Ofra.