Report on Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territories

Since his election as prime minister, Ehud Olmert, long a stalwart supporter of Greater Israel, has made unprecedented statements declaring an interest in ending Israel’s rule over Palestinians. In stark contrast to Olmert’s rhetoric, however, the settlement machine grinds on.

Speaking to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, [Israeli prime minister Ehud] Olmert said, “We must decide if we are interested in a serious peace process or simply want to perfume ourselves with self righteousness, causing Hamas to arise in the West Bank.”

Israel achieved extraordinary success in its early decades. Today, it is in deep trouble because of its fateful decision after conquering the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza in 1967 to occupy, settle, and control these areas. As Geoffrey Aronson points out in this Report, for more than four decades Israeli governments have pursued this policy, withdrawing only from Gaza settlements, while proclaiming that they seek peace.

On March 12, 2008, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice testified before the House Appropriations Committee’s Foreign Operations Subcommittee regarding the FY09 Foreign Operations budget request.