IAF jet
IAF jetIDF Spokesman's Unit

The Israel Air Force carried out a photographic reconnaissance sortie over Judea and Samaria in order to obtain an accurate picture of the construction being carried out in Jewish communities and outposts there.

The aerial photographs were transferred to the Civilian Administration in Judea and Samaria, where they will serve as a basis for enforcement of the construction freeze order issued Thursday by Central Command head Maj-Gen Avi Mizrachi.

Photographic reconnaissance is usually carried out to gather intelligence about the enemy. However, this is not the first time that IAF jets are used to collect photographic evidence on Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria. In early 2004, IAF jets carried out a photographic sortie over all of the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria. The photographs were then used to demarcate the communities' boundaries. This was done after then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon committed to then-President George W. Bush to allow construction only within previously-developed areas, and to forbid growth of the settlements' size.

The United States and Israel carried out negotiations over an agreed “building line,” using the reconnaissance photographs as their guides.

The freeze order issued on Friday is more severe than the one agreed to by Sharon because it forbids construction within the communities' boundaries as well. The order strips the local authorities in Judea and Samaria of the right to grant permits for construction, be they for adding a second floor to an existing structure or for closing off a porch.

A house owner who wishes to add a floor to his house has to request a special permit from the Civilian Administration and give his reasons for wishing to add the floor. The Civilian Administration will then inform him within 14 days whether the request has been approved or not.

The authority to grant such permits, in communities with valid building plans, belonged solely to the municipal authorities until now.