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CNN Live Today

Jewish Settlements One of Many Issues on West Bank

Aired April 12, 2002 - 14:52   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Part of the difficulty of trying to find a road to peace here in the Middle East is that the issues, frankly, are downright complex. And to go through the layers after layers after layers on both sides, it takes not only a lot of time to figure it out, but clearly the two sides, over decades of fighting and conflict, have not been able to do it either.

We've been looking at some of the issues, trying to break them down, essentially, to make it a little bit more understanding. And Bill Schneider has that task. Today the topic of the Jewish settlements now set up in the West Bank and in Gaza. And for that, here is Bill Schneider.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: One of the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. Here is what we know.

(voice-over): The settlement issue goes back to 1967. After Israel, threatened with attack, defeated its Arab adversaries and gained control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the six-day war -- land that was part of the original Palestine mandate, but controlled by Egypt and Jordan for 19 years after Israel's 1948 war of independence.

After 1967, Jewish settlers began moving into those territories. Some, for religious reasons. They view the West Bank, which they call Judea and Sumeria, as part of the biblical land of Israel, given to the Jewish people by God. Some, for security reasons. They see an Israeli presence as essential to protect the center of Israel's population. Some for economic reasons. The Israeli government gave the settlers subsidies and tax breaks.

In 1972, there were 1,500 Jewish settlers in the West Bank and Gaza. By 2001 that number had increased to over 200,000, in 130 settlements. Where are the settlements? Mostly in the West Bank, particularly in the border areas.

But there are also settlements in the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights, which was conquered from Syria and held by Israel for security. Israel also won control of the eastern part of Jerusalem in the six-day war. Arabs claim that the more than 170,000 Jewish residents of East Jerusalem are settlers as well, although Israel has annexed that territory and considers Jerusalem sovereign and indivisible.

The settlers live under heavy armed guard. Violence between the settlers and their Palestinian neighbors has become endemic. Palestinians view the settlements as illegal, and a provocation.

ZIYAD ABU ZAYYAD, PALESTINIAN CABINET MIN.: We don't see any chance for such coexistence while the settlements are in the occupied territories.

SCHNEIDER: U.S. presidents have cited the settlements as an impediment to the peace process.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Israeli settlement activity and occupied territories must stop.

SCHNEIDER: In Israel's view, Jews have a right to live anywhere in historic Palestine. Israeli governments have said they would be willing to compromise that right, but only as part of a peace settlement.

SHIMON PERES, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER: If there are any suggestions on settlements, the right place to do so is around the negotiating table.

SCHNEIDER (on camera): The settlement issue also divides Israelis. A minority would never give up the settlements. Another minority says Israel should remove all of them. The issue could eventually become explosive, not only between Israel and the Palestinians, but also among Israelis themselves. Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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