Settlements in Focus

Gush Etzion (Vol.1, Issue 14)
A publication of Americans for Peace Now

What is the Gush Etzion settlement bloc?

The term "Etzion" is rooted in the name of the early settlement of Kfar Etzion (see below for details). "Gush Etzion" (literally, "Etzion Bloc") refers to the group of settlements located south of Jerusalem, between Bethlehem and the present-day settlement of Kfar Etzion.

Settlements in Focus

The Ultra-Orthodox Jews in the West Bank (Vol.1, Issue 12)
A publication of Americans for Peace Now

What is the difference between the ultra-Orthodox and other religious Jews in the settlements?

The ultra-Orthodox settlers come from a political-religious faction of Judaism that is distinct from the one that gave birth to the religious-nationalist settlers who founded the settlement movement.

Settlements in Focus

Hebron (Vol.1, Issue 13)
A publication of Americans for Peace Now

How is Hebron different than other cities in the West Bank with respect to settlements?

Hebron is the only Palestinian city that has Israeli settlers living in the heart of its built up area, side-by-side with Palestinians.

Settlements in Focus

Eastern Strip of the West Bank (Vol.1, Issue 11)
A publication of Americans for Peace Now

What is the difference between the Jordan Valley and the "Eastern Strip"? Why is this important?

The Jordan Valley technically refers to a very specific area: the area at the bottom of the mountain ridge (the valley) abutting the Jordan River, which runs from the north to the south, connecting the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.

Index and Link to all issues of APN's "Settlements in Focus"

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)

By Shaul Arieli | June 2005
(Available for download here)

The ninety-nine papers and proposals formulated during the twentieth century regarding the future of Jerusalem(1) testify to the importance of the city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - and to the ongoing battle of interests being waged between the diplomatic and political representatives of these three religions. Each of the proposals considers the local and global balance of power in the boundaries of the city and attempts to ensure freedom of worship and internal management of the holy places.