SETTLEMENT POLICY UNDER THE NEW ISRAELI GOVERNMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R001200490001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 4, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

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Central Intelligence Agency
41
MEMORANDUM FOR: William Kirby
Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Middle East Negotiations,
Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs
Department of State
ief, Geography Division, OGI
SUBJECT: Settlement Policy 'Under the N
Israeli Government
1. Attached is a memorandum concerning the new_ Israeli
government's recently ado ted policy guidelines on settlements in
the occupied territories
2. The research and analysis for the text were done by
David B. Jenkins of the N-P,;qr East Bra ch, Geography Division,
Office of Global Issues
3. If you have any questions concerning this memorandum,
please call me on 351-6226
Attachment:
Israel.: Se ? ement Policy Under the New Government
GI M 884-1 171, October 1984
This memorandum is CONFIDENTIALO
when separated from attachment.
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CONFIDENTIA
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CONFIDENTIAL
SUBJECT: Israel: Settlement Policy Under the New Government
OGI/GD/NE (Oct 1984)
Distribution:
1 - William A. Kirby, State
1 - David Mack, State
1 - Miles S. Pendleton, State
1 - Edward G. Abington, State
1 - Barbara Bodine, State
1 - George S. Harris, State
1 - Gary Dietrich, State
1 - George Demko, State
1 - SA/DDCI
1 - Executive Director
1 - DDI
1 - DDI/PES
I - NIO/NESA
1 - CPAS/ISS
1 - D/NESA
1 - Ch/NESA
I - Ch/NESA/AI
1 Ch/NESA/AI/I
1 - D/OGI, DD/OGI
I - Ch/GD
1 - Ch/GD/NE
8 - OGI/PG
!lll kT fl T nn wlm r a t
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 CONFT r)FNTTArI
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Central Intelligence Agency
DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
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4 October 1984
Israel: Settlement Policy Under the New Government
Summary
Settlement policy in the occupied territories was one of the
main issues that impeded formation of an Israeli national unity 25X1
government. The settlement guidelines adopted by the government
reflect a compromise between Labor and Likud, additionally
influenced by economic constraints. The settlers, who believe
that the number of planned settlements is far too low, are likely
to defy the qovernmemt-by establishing additional "illegal"
settlements 25X1
This memorandum was prepared by Geography
Division, Office of Global Issues. e In ormation contained
herein is updated to 2 October . Comments and questions may
be addressed to 4Chief. Near Fac4- Bru
n.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Israel: Settlement Policy Under the New Government
Background
The Labor government established 74 settlements in the
territories between 1967 and 1977 (table). Those set up in the
West Bank were limited for the most part to the Jordan Valley,
the 'Ezyon Bloc, and the Jerusalem vicinity to conform to the
Allon Plan--Labor's basis for a territorial compromise. Since
coming to power in 1977, the Likud has established nearly twice
as many settlements, constructing new ones at the average rate of
20 per year. Some 45 have been established since the US peace
initiative of September 1982. Many of the Likud's West Bank
settlements have been set up beyond the bounds of the Allon Plan
in areas of dense Palestinian population.
Existing Settlements in the Territories
West Golan Gaza
Bank Heights Strip
Jerusalem Total
Total
157 33
12
11 213
Established under Labor
32 28
4
10 74
(1967-77)
Established under Likud
125 5
8
1
138
(1977-84)
New Guideline
s
The national unity
represent a shift from
government's basic poli
Likud's expansionist set
cy
tle
guidelines
ment policy
of
1977-84. They state:
? The existence and development of settlements set
up by the [past] governments of Israel will be
ensured, and the extent of their development
will be determined by the [present] government.
CONE T DFNT T AT.I
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CONFIDENTIAL
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? Five to six settlements will be established
within a year. The determination of their names
will be made by mutual consent within a week of
the date ofl the establishment of the
government .
? Implementation of the decisions of previous
governments on the establishment of as yet
unestablished settlements (whose names will be
listed in an appendix that will be added withinl
a week of the establishment of the government)
will take place in subsequent years, as per a
timetable to be determined by the plenum of the
national unity government.
? The establishment of new settlements will
require approval by a majority of the cabinet
ministers.
The limited number of settlements to be set up reflects both the
Labor Party's position on territorial compromise and economic
constraints being imposed on the settlement program.
Likud spokesmen claim that 27 settlements approved by the
previous government have yet to be erected. However, an
examination of a list of the 27 provided to the Israeli press by
Likud reveals that one settlement has had prefab units in place
for two years, four appear to be extensions of existing
settlements, five already have extensive site preparations, and
three are wildcat tent settlements established in the hectic two
weeks before the July 23rd election. Several of the 27 Likud-
approved settlements have been planned for areas beyond the Allon
Plan; therefore consideration of each of these settlements in
subsequent years is likely tp cause conflict within the national
unity government.
According to Israeli press sources, the first of the five to
six new settlements to be established this year will be erected
close to the Green Line near the Arab town of Tulkarm. This
location--in a heavily Arab-populated section of Samaria but
close enough to the Green Line to accord with minor border
adjustments advocated by Labor in an eventual peace plan--
suggests an initial compromise between the two parties.
Reportedly, the remaining four to five settlements will be set up
So far, much of the controversy has been centered on how
many new settlements will be established. The expansion of
existing settlements, which consumes most of the settlement
budget, however, remains another contentious issue. At this time
'This list has yet to be published.F__1 25X1
CONPTf P.NTTAT 25X1
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it is politically impractical for the government to suggest a
construction freeze. The next year, however, will probably see
some slowdown in housing construction within the large suburban
settlements due to budgetary cuts necessitated by Israel's
The Settlers
Angered by the government's limited plans, Israeli settlers
recently announced formation of a lobby to promote their own
settlement ideology. If this proves unsuccessful, settlers are
likely to resume establishment of unapproved settlements. Past
squatting attempts have often become permanent, and how the
government handles the first such incident will be viewed by many
as an indication of the government's resolve. The most recent
case ended without incident on 15 September, when a group of Gush
Emunim settlers from Elon More left an Arab hotel in Nablus after
spending one night. Satisfied at the time with making only a
statement, they have announced their intention of returning to
establish a permanent presence. These and other settlers will
probably continue such actions, hoping to generate enough
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