Image by Getty Images

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Construction starts in West Bank settlements rose dramatically during 2017, with most of the new housing starts in isolated settlements.

Peace Now in its annual settlement construction report released on Sunday reported that 2,783 new housing units began construction in the West Bank in 2017, around 17 percent higher than the yearly average rate since 2009. The report does not include housing construction in eastern Jerusalem.

The report also found that 78 percent of the new construction, or 2,168 housing units was in settlements east of the proposed Geneva Initiative border or settlements that are likely to be evicted in a two-state agreement.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

At least 282 of the new housing units were constructed illegally, the majority in illegal outposts, according to the report.

In addition, construction on at least 68 new public buildings such as schools and synagogues was started.

In addition to the new housing starts, 6,742 housing units were advanced trough promotions for plans of settlements in 59 different settlements in 2017, compared to 2,657 units in 2016, according to the Peace Now report. Alost 66 percent of those housing units, or 4,471, were east of the Geneva Initiative border.

Three new settlement outposts were established in 2017, as well as the new settlement of Amichai, being built south of Nablus, to house the families evicted from the Amona outpost.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount