Settlers to double in Golan Heights

[Aidoneus]

Settlers to double in Golan Heights
Wednesday 31 December 2003

Israel intends to double the number of Jewish settlers in the Golan Heights over the next three years to tighten its grip over the plateau, seized from Syria in a 1967 war.

Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz told Israel Radio on Wednesday that the right-wing cabinet had agreed to double the current settler population of 17,000 to solidify its hold over the Golan before opening any peace negotiations with Syria.

Syria on Wednesday denounced the Israeli plan which stipulates the construction of 900 new homes on the strategic plateau.

Isa Daweesh, Syria's deputy foreign minister, told reporters in Damascus: "There is no recognition for this measure. Israel is deluded that it can achieve something by relying on power and occupation."

Asked if Israel's move was a step to preempt any future peace negotiations between the two countries, he said: "Conflicts are not resolved through power, they should be resolved under international law."

--snip--

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DD5688D0-A679-41F9-9C58-0D718DDF9322.htm

[Aidoneus]

1. in a similar vein,

Settler numbers up 16%
Tuesday 30 December 2003

The population of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories has grown by 16% since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon came to power in March 2001.

The overall number of settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip now stands at 236,000, Israel's interior ministry said on Tuesday.

The numbers living in several isolated settlements has grown much more rapidly including at the controversial Netzarim settlement in southern Gaza that is now home to about 65 families and guarded by several hundred troops, after growing by 24% since Sharon's election.

Under the terms of the US-backed road map peace plan, Israel is obliged to freeze settlement activity, but the Israeli government has continued to issue tenders for the building of more apartments in the West Bank and Gaza.

--snip--

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BF8AC9A2-5489-4053-95D4-2BE5CAE33E20.htm

"Ariel's da man, doin' the best he can...to make the world a better place"...indeed. :eyes: