What is a settlement?
"Settlement" is the term used to denote Israeli civilian communities built in territory conquered by Israel in the Six Day War (June 1967). This territory is comprised of the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula. These neighborhoods have been a major issue in the peace process since 1967 and remain highly controversial.
Settlements in the Sinai were evacuated and destroyed in 1979, following Israel's historic peace agreement with Egypt and the return of the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.
Settlements in the Gaza Strip were evacuated and destroyed as part of Israel's unilateral "disengagement" from Gaza in 2005.
Therefore, today settlements only exist in the Golan Heights and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem).
Farooq Mitha / Middle East Policy Council (2010)
Analysis of the Jordanian-Israeli relationship in the context of comprehensive regional peace. Also pinpoints
critical issues that created roadblocks to a warm peace, suggests methods for overcoming these obstacles, and
considers how this relationship can influence the search for comprehensive peace in the region. (read
more)
B'tselem (July 2010)
Comprehensive report, based on official state data and documents, that analyzes the means employed by Israel to
gain control of land for building the settlements. The report is an update to B'telem's "Land Grab" (2002).
Read More >
Aix Group (June 2010)
Five-part report on the economic dimensions of final
status issues. Includes sections on the asymmetry between Israel and the Palestinians, a territorial link between
the West Bank and Gaza, the Jordan Valley's potential for the Palestinian economy, and Palestinian refugees.
PDF >
Charlie Rose (2010)
The Hamas chairman, who has been the group's political leader since 2004, discusses his beliefs and opinions, the
nature and actions of Hamas, and claims that Hamas would accept a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders if
approved by popular referendum. (53:27) Watch >
Eyal Press / The New York Review of Books (April 29, 2010)
Describes the impact of the decreasing trend of secular Israelis voluntarily joining the Israel Defense Forces
(IDF), who are being replaced by more religious Israelis. Read More >
May 2010
Summary of PLO positions on security in permanent status negotiations, as they were presented in previous
negotiation rounds, and consistent with the discussions held with US Special Envoy for Middle East Regional
Security (SEMERS) in 2008. Read Document >
APN today released new policy language on the recently increasing growing public criticism of Israel, including the
efforts to boycott Israel, divest from it and sanction it (known as the BDS movement). The purpose of the new
document is to clarify the often foggy discussion over this issue in America's pro-Israel community and to make
clear what APN supports and opposes. the full text of the policy is included after the break.
APN on the BDS movement and Criticism of Israel
In the context of surging efforts to promote - and block - boycott/divestment/sanctions efforts, and in the context
of a serious debate within Israel and the Jewish community about how to deal with growing international criticism
of Israel, we believe it is important to make clear what we do, and do not, support.
Center for a New American Security (2010)
Examination of what kind of security arrangement would be necessary to serve as a facilitator for a future
Palestinian state. Features comparative case studies, expert military and political lessons, and a look at four
scenarios that could precede a possible peacekeeping force.
Read More >