News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) The government will not publish a database – the Spiegel Report - containing full details about the Jewish settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria, arguing that publicizing the information would harm Israel's security and foreign relations.  Anti-Judea and Samaria activists accuse the government of hiding the information in order to assist citizens living in the areas to further develop Jewish communities without micromanagement or judicial oversight.

According to the Defense Ministry, approximately 25 small Jewish communities are slated for destruction.  The radical anti-Zionist organization Peace Now puts the number around 50.  Both parties say that 35 small Jewish communities have expanded over the last 6 months, adding a total of 35 caravan mobile homes and 10 permanent houses.

The Yesha Council organization, which faced strong criticism from, and  abandonment by, Judea and Samaria residents following the expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif and Northern Samaria in 2005, is currently negotiating with the Defense Ministry to determine which communities might be voluntarily destroyed.