An Outpost's Day in Court: Amona at the Israeli High Court of Justice

Recently there have been news reports about a case before the Israeli High Court of Justice regarding an outpost. What is the story?

On July 3, 2005, Peace Now and Peace Now's Settlement Watch Director Dror Etkes filed a joint petition with the Israeli High Court of Justice (akin to the U.S. Supreme Court) regarding 9 new structures in the illegal West Bank outpost which the settlers call "Amona" (named for a village in the Old Testament).

"'It was a huge mistake,' said Haim Ramon of the Labor Party's decision in the 1970s to settle the Gaza Strip." (Source: Ha'aretz, Feb. 16, 2005)

The Institute for National Security Studies (June 2005)
The five major principles used by Israel for determining the boundaries of Jerusalem, as well as the effects of the security barrier, are examined by security expert Shaul Arieli. Also provided are detailed, practical proposals for resolution of the Jerusalem issue in the event of an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. Read More >

Discussions from the Bush-Abbas Meeting, and answers on settlement construction, Israeli Government approval and funding, "natural" growth, outposts, and more...

Ariel & the Ariel Bloc

When was Ariel established?

Ariel was established in 1978.

Where is Ariel and how big is it?

Ariel is located in the heart of the West Bank, running east-west along the top of a 3.1 mile-long ridge (1,805-2,231 feet above sea level). The settlement forms a long, narrow strip along the ridge; the western tip of the settlement (i.e., the part closest to Israel) is about 10 miles from the Green Line, and the eastern edge of the settlement is more than 13 miles from the Green Line. Ariel is located about 25 miles from Tel Aviv, 31 miles from Jerusalem, and about 18 miles from the Jordanian border.

E-1 & Ma'ale Adumim

What is E-1? Is it the same as reported plans to expand Ma'ale Adumim?

E-1 is short for "East 1," the administrative name given to the stretch of land northeast of Jerusalem, to the west of the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim. When people talk about E-1 today, they are referring to a longstanding Israeli plan - never implemented - to build a large new Israeli neighborhood in this area.

FRONTLINE (April 2005)
Exploration of the origins, political philosophy, and recent actions of militant Jewish radicals who pose a grave threat to Israeli security and regional peace in general. (60:00) Watch >

Talya Sasson / Government of Israel (March 2005)
Official Israeli government report commissioned by PM Ariel Sharon that concluded that Israeli state bodies discreetly diverted millions of shekels to build West Bank settlements and outposts that are illegal under Israeli law. Read More >

On Point (March 2005)
APN Founder Mark Rosenblum is among a panel of notable experts who discuss the findings of the Sasson Report and its implications for the U.S., Israel and the peace process. (48:25) Listen >