Report on Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territories

The goal of the Annapolis process, launched by President George W. Bush in November 2007, was to reach an Israeli‑Palestinian peace agreement by the end of 2008.

As President Bush’s last ditch effort for a final status Israel‑Palestine peace agreement by January 2008 stumbles, the vision of a two state peace is receding. Once again, deep political divisions, weak leadership on both sides, and America’s deference to Israel on settlements stand in the way of peace.

On April 18, 2008, the organization Breaking the Silence published testimonies of soldiers who served in Hebron from 2005–2007.

Housing Minister Ze’ev Boim explained away the construction of 750 new housing units in the settlement of Givat Ze’ev by saying that the permits had been issued in 1999, but that construction had stopped due to, as he put it, the “outbreak of violence.” That is, the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising. . . .