Israeli Settler Numbers ‘Rise’ To Record High

[Resistance]

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-07/24/article05.shtml

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, July 24 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The number of Jewish settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has risen by5 ,400 during the last 12 months to reach a record231 ,443, according to figures from the Israeli Interior Ministry on Thursday, July 24 .

The settlers Council of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and the Gaza Strip, the main settlers' organization, said it was pleased with the figures."This proves that settlement is stronger than (Palestinian) terrorism and the (Israeli) left," said the council which said it expected to see a rapid growth in settlement population in the second half of the year.

The international community considers all settlements built in occupied territory to be illegal.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Monday, July21 , that Jewish settlement outposts are an "internal" matter which the Jewish state will deal with at its discretion, rather than under international pressure.
In the meanwhile, the Israeli group Peace Now said Wednesday, July23 , that the number of Jewish settler outposts in the West Bank has grown by two since a landmark summit in Jordan last month to kickstart a peace plan which calls for dismantling them.

[Avalux]

1. This will continue

and is a gigantic obstacle to the peace process. Jews are emigrating to Israel in record numbers - there's only so much land for everyone already there and the predicted #s to come. I can't imagine, if they close the settlements, where everyone will go.

[Gimel]

6. Immigration is low

Immigration has decreased this year. It is down to a very low ebb. Immigration figures show less than a third of the immigration compared to last year.

<snip>
While the number of Jews in the territories has increased over the past year, th increase is due to ulta-orthodox living in the three main Jerusalem area settlements:

Over the 12 months that ended on June 30, this population grew by 6.7 percent, or 14,481 people. Some 50 percent of this year's growth,
however, was in three ultra-Orthodox settlements, Betar Ilit, Modi'in
Ilit and Kochav Ya'akov, which added 2,686 new residents in the January-June period. In the remaining settlements, almost all of the growth was due to natural increase rather than immigration. In total, there were 231,443 Jews living in the territories as of June 30.
<snip>
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=322069&sw=immigration

[tinnypriv]

2. Misleading headline

Of course there are a "record number" of settlers, but that is trivial. Speaking about the West Bank and Gaza, the numbers have been increasing since 67, and never gone downwards. It will be a "record number" tomorrow, and so on. The rhetorical point being made is largely pointless, IMO.

[bemildred]

3. This is blather.

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=707356&fid=942

Minister of Immigrant Absorption Tzipi Livni has presented
figures to the cabinet showing a steep 50% drop in
immigration in 2002 and in the first half of 2003.

Livni said that 17,000 Jews had immigrated to Israel from
the former Soviet Union in 2002, and noted that 18,000
more Jews had immigrated from the former Soviet Union to
Germany. Immigration totaled 35,000 in 2002, and only
11,000 in the first six months of 2003.

[Darranar]

4. Thank you...

I was about to post on this, but I couldn't find a quick link.

[bemildred]

5. My pleasure.

It will be interesting to see whether Mr. Sharon is
informed that US aid to Israel is also an "internal
matter". If not, and this is more than political posturing,
I think you can kiss the road map goodbye.

[Gimel]

7. Remember

Sharon is noted for being able to get out of difficult situations. He supports the road Map and will have to do something about settlements.

There is, of course, a link to the US aid and progress on the Road Map. Sharon can't just ignore the US position and therein lies the pressure point.

[CitizenDick]

8. With due respect, baloney

Sharon doesn't support the road map. He also knows regardless of the outcome, Israel can count on virtually unconditional US aid.

[bemildred]

9. That is certainly what the past would predict.

However, the Shrubster and his minions are not known for
their tolerance of disobedience, and this is, or at least
was, part of the Shrubster's re-election plans. There are
other factors in play as well. I have not given up hope.
It depends very much on how the Shrubster and his minions
decide to play their hand. So far, they have made nice
sounds and procrastinated.

You are correct, IMHO, about Mr. Sharon, an ethnic cleanser
of the old school, although restrained by politics, and
clearly annoyed by all this talk of peace and agreements.

[CitizenDick]

10. Junior would have a very hard time

with BOTH parties in congress if he tried to whack financial aid to Israel. Also, the Repukes are making a play for the Jewish vote, selling Junior's stand on Israel. From a re-election standpoint, he would probably do well to keep towing the AIPAC line.

[bemildred]

11. That is certainly a good argument.

You left out the Xtian fundies in his "base".

[CitizenDick]

14. Yep

Red meat for the base. Christians for Israel. Or something like that.

Edit: Xtian?

[bemildred]

16. Christian, like it was a cross.

We do like our acronyms and abbreviations, eh?

[Herschel]

17. Apologies

Posted to wrong discussion

[StandWatie]

12. doesn't matter..

Congress controls the purse strings and no way in hell will that body ever do anything but try and out do each other to try and shovel money to Israel.

The congressional republicans would tell Bush to get bent and the Democrats would have a fine ole time making hay out of Bush even attempting to use anything but Carrots, no sticks allowed for the 51st state.

[bemildred]

13. What are we without our dreams,

but soft, empty shells?

[vierundzwanzig]

15. I wonder

how many Palestinians would object if those nice two-story homes would be open to them at the regular governmental subsidization.

I am not so sure the settlements are that much of a problem.