Ministry releases tenders for building 228 houses in W. Bank

[Violet_Crumble]

The Housing and Construction Ministry on Monday released tenders for the construction of 228 housing units in the West Bank: 150 units in Beitar Ilit and 78 units in the Givat Ha'Zait neighborhood in Efrat.

The bureaucratic process for building these homes began five years ago, under the previous government, said Raanan Gissin, an adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

He said the houses would be within the boundaries of existing settlements that are part of the major blocs that Israel wants to retain.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/662592.html

[Englander]

1. From the archive -

Ultra-Orthodox flock to West Bank

(08.29.05, 12:26)

Increase in West Bank settler population mostly a result of jump in number of residents in ultra-Orthodox communities, home to about quarter of all settlers. One resident says: We found apartment here for USD 90,000. In Jerusalem we would have paid USD 250,000. Mayor: Ultra-Orthodox public never felt part of country
Doron Sheffer

West Bank settlements growing: The increase in the West Bank settler population recorded this year mostly stems from the quick development of the ultra-Orthodox settlements of Beitar Ilit and Modiin Ilit.

Indeed, a tour of Beitar Ilit quickly reveals the settlement’s secret of success, namely a high standard of living for an affordable price.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3134749,00.html

[Scurrilous]

2. Settlers to build 25 new outposts

West Bank youngsters plan on building new outposts alongside established settlements during Hanukkah holiday. ‘If Sharon is thinking about implementing a second disengagement here, he should implement it on the Arabs,’ one organizer tells Ynet

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3190844,00.html

<snip>

"After settler youths set up six illegal outposts throughout the West Bank during the Sukkot holiday, they now plan on erecting 25 more during the Hanukkah, 15 of which will apparently be set up within the next 24 hours, Ynet has learned Tuesday.

The settlers claimed that two new outposts have already been erected (near Talmon and Maaleh Haver).

The new West Bank outposts are expected to be built near established settlements, such as Efrat, Kedumim, Elon Moreh, and Ofra.

One of the youngsters organizing the operation told Ynet, "the battle on the West Bank will be different from the battle on Gush Katif. If Sharon is thinking about implementing a second disengagement here, he should implement it on the Arabs, who are working on promoting terror."