The expansion orders for the four existing communities, signed by OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Ya'ir Naveh, had been processed during the tenure of former Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz, according to the Defense Ministry.
Newly-appointed Defense Minister Amir Peretz approved the expansion, even as Peace Now head Yariv Oppenheimer strongly condemned the approval. Peretz did say, however, that he intends to "review" the issue of expanding the jurisdictional area for Yesha communities.
“It turns out that settlement blocs are also flexible and changeable concepts,” charged Oppenheimer, speaking on Israel Radio. He said it was the first expansion of Yesha communities in years, decided on "in back rooms and far from the public eye."
The expansions were granted to the following communities:
* Maskiyot, a community located in the northern Jordan Valley. Some 30 Jewish refugees from the expelled Gush Katif community of Shirat HaYam are expected to move into the new homes there by next month.
* Oranit, located on the western slope of the Samaria mountains, northeast of Petah Tikvah and southeast of Kfar Saba. The community was founded in 1985.
* The Jerusalem suburb Givat Ze’ev, north of the city. Givat Ze’ev received authorization six weeks ago to widen its area by 15 acres (60 dunams), effectively sealing physical contiguity between the capital and its nearby suburb.
* Beitar Illit, located in the Gush Etzion region, which is to receive 100 added acres (400 dunams). Oppenheimer claimed that the approval was signed just last Wednesday, although a Ministry spokesperson said the orders were first signed by Naveh while Mofaz was still in office. Naveh is effectively the commander for IDF activities in Yesha.
Oppenheimer called the expansions “an attempt to steal more Palestinian land” and claimed the move was the first step in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s unilateral withdrawal plan to draw permanent borders for the state.
He demanded that Peretz “rescind this move and call General Naveh to account.”
Newly-appointed Defense Minister Amir Peretz approved the expansion, even as Peace Now head Yariv Oppenheimer strongly condemned the approval. Peretz did say, however, that he intends to "review" the issue of expanding the jurisdictional area for Yesha communities.
“It turns out that settlement blocs are also flexible and changeable concepts,” charged Oppenheimer, speaking on Israel Radio. He said it was the first expansion of Yesha communities in years, decided on "in back rooms and far from the public eye."
The expansions were granted to the following communities:
* Maskiyot, a community located in the northern Jordan Valley. Some 30 Jewish refugees from the expelled Gush Katif community of Shirat HaYam are expected to move into the new homes there by next month.
* Oranit, located on the western slope of the Samaria mountains, northeast of Petah Tikvah and southeast of Kfar Saba. The community was founded in 1985.
* The Jerusalem suburb Givat Ze’ev, north of the city. Givat Ze’ev received authorization six weeks ago to widen its area by 15 acres (60 dunams), effectively sealing physical contiguity between the capital and its nearby suburb.
* Beitar Illit, located in the Gush Etzion region, which is to receive 100 added acres (400 dunams). Oppenheimer claimed that the approval was signed just last Wednesday, although a Ministry spokesperson said the orders were first signed by Naveh while Mofaz was still in office. Naveh is effectively the commander for IDF activities in Yesha.
Oppenheimer called the expansions “an attempt to steal more Palestinian land” and claimed the move was the first step in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s unilateral withdrawal plan to draw permanent borders for the state.
He demanded that Peretz “rescind this move and call General Naveh to account.”