From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Government allocated NIS 28 million in 2023 to secure illegal West Bank outposts, watchdog says
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
The government allocated some NIS 28 million in 2023 for the purpose of bolstering the security of illegal West Bank outposts, established in violation of Israeli law, the Peace Now organization reports.
The information was disclosed by director general of the Settlement Division of the World Zionist Organization, Hoshaya Harari, during a conference held by the Religious Zionism party in June that was recorded by Peace Now, the details of which are released today.
The funds came from a budget for bolstering security for both settlements and illegal outposts in the West Bank, and were used for purchasing vehicles, drones, cameras, electric generators, electric gates, lamp posts and fences, among other items.
Of the NIS 28 million, NIS 15 million was provided to illegal West Bank farming outposts that typically seize control of large tracts of land by grazing sheep, goats, and cows as part of a strategy to interrupt Palestinian territorial contiguity.
Thirty-three other illegal outposts received NIS 13 million.
The budget for security equipment and facilities for illegal outposts is slated to rise to NIS 63 million in 2024, Peace Now says.
“Not only does the Israeli government allow settlers to take over lands, establish outposts and farms in violation of the law, and attack and displace Palestinians without any response, it also funds and assists them,” the organization says.
“Settler violence is not a bug; it is a feature. It is part of an ongoing effort by the Israeli government to systematically expel Palestinians from their homes and lands in Area C in the West Bank.”
