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World Jewish News
Settlers building more caravans to stave off U.S. push for freeze
17.08.2009
House trailers are playing a major role as West Bank settlers try to create facts on the ground before the United States and Israel reach any decision on a construction freeze in the settlements. In recent months, settlers have been trying to assemble trailers quickly.
After the release of the 2005 Sasson Report on illegal outposts, the Israel Defense Forces' Civil Administration in the West Bank has been limiting the movements of house trailers around the territories. To circumvent the restrictions, trailer parts are being moved to the settlements and put together on site on pre-prepared lots. Efforts by left-wing organizations and human rights groups to impede the construction have failed.
In early July, Haaretz reported on such preparations for 10 trailers in the settlement of Eli. A little more than a month after initial work at the location, most of the trailers have been built and appear to be ready to accommodate residents shortly.
The site is defined as state-owned land and lies within the settlement's municipal boundaries. But because Eli does not have a development plan, the construction is considered illegal.
Construction of 12 trailers on private Palestinian land has begun near the settlement of Kochav Yaakov near Ramallah. The rights group Yesh Din filed a petition to the High Court of Justice last week to halt the construction, and a hearing on the case is expected shortly.
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
Источник: Haaretz
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