International Herald Tribune, 7.11.07. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he's ready to make a deal that would give the Palestinians a state in the West Bank. But realities on the ground — outlined in a new report Wednesday showing vigorous Israeli construction in the West Bank — could have momentous implications for the latest U.S. peacemaking push. Israel continues to expand settlements. Peace Now, an Israeli settlement watchdog group, issued a report Wednesday showing Israeli building activity in 88 settlements, though most of the work is located in large settlement blocs Israel hopes to retain in a final peace agreement. As of October, 267,500 Israelis lived in 122 settlements, according to government statistics. Tthe settlements — along with Israeli roads and a massive separation barrier jutting into the West Bank — threaten to fragment a future Palestinian state and cut it off from east Jerusalem, where the Palestinians hope to establish their capital. Signs in the settlements openly advertise new housing that goes for a fraction of the price a similar home would command in Jerusalem. Demand has been fueled by large, low-income ultra-Orthodox families — motivated both by ideological connection to the biblical Land of Israel and affordable housing.
Settlers aren't satisfied with the pace of expansion.
"If the government would allow us to build according to market demand, there would be a tremendous building spurt in Judea and Samaria," settler leader Shaul Goldstein said, using the biblical name for the West Bank.
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