Sales of new houses in Judea, Samaria and Gush Katif (Yesha) have soared 20 percent this year, more than twice the national average, according to government statistics.
The increase in Yesha continues a similar trend in 2003. Sine January, 2004, 250 new houses were sold in Yesha, 40 more than in the same period the previous year, reported Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics.
The boom in Yesha is more startling when compared with the northern region and Jerusalem, where new home sales actually decreased, and with the central area, where the growth was only half of that in Yesha. Haifa recorded a similar increase of slightly more than 20 per cent. Tel Aviv, where purchases were up 40 per cent, was the only region where sales outdistanced Yesha.
The demand for houses in Yesha is due to an influx of new families. More than 100 families this year have moved into Gush Katif on the southern Mediterranean coast, according to the Katif regional council, which told Arutz Sheva there are no vacant houses in most of the communities. Many communities in Judea and Samaria also report few or no vacancies.
Government statistics also reveal that in 2003, Yesha was the only region in the country posting a growth in the sale of new homes, 25 percent more than in 2002. Sales decreased up to one-third in every other region.
The figures no not include a surge in rentals, particularly in some of the new outlying neighborhoods in Yesha.
The increase in Yesha continues a similar trend in 2003. Sine January, 2004, 250 new houses were sold in Yesha, 40 more than in the same period the previous year, reported Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics.
The boom in Yesha is more startling when compared with the northern region and Jerusalem, where new home sales actually decreased, and with the central area, where the growth was only half of that in Yesha. Haifa recorded a similar increase of slightly more than 20 per cent. Tel Aviv, where purchases were up 40 per cent, was the only region where sales outdistanced Yesha.
The demand for houses in Yesha is due to an influx of new families. More than 100 families this year have moved into Gush Katif on the southern Mediterranean coast, according to the Katif regional council, which told Arutz Sheva there are no vacant houses in most of the communities. Many communities in Judea and Samaria also report few or no vacancies.
Government statistics also reveal that in 2003, Yesha was the only region in the country posting a growth in the sale of new homes, 25 percent more than in 2002. Sales decreased up to one-third in every other region.
The figures no not include a surge in rentals, particularly in some of the new outlying neighborhoods in Yesha.