27 NEW CARAVANS EXPAND THE FOOTPRINT OF ELI

S E C R E T JERUSALEM 000357

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2018
TAGS: KWBG PBTS PREL PHUM IS
SUBJECT: 27 NEW CARAVANS EXPAND THE FOOTPRINT OF ELI

REF: JERUSALEM 347

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: PolOff visited Eli settlement February
26 and saw ongoing construction of 27 new caravans at the
settlement's westernmost edge. Mayor Eli Shtul told PolOff
that the caravans will share infrastructure with 17 existing
permanent structures called Neve Shir built in 1991. These
new caravans extend approximately 250 meters north of Eli's
existing built-up area in an area well east of the separation
barrier. Satellite and surface imagery of Eli is available at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/jerusalem. END SUMMARY.

27 New Caravans
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2. (C) Following February 20 press reports of new caravans
at the Central West Bank settlement of Eli, PolOff visited
Eli with Mayor Lior Shtul on February 26. PolOff saw a
construction crew completing assembly piece-by-piece of 27
caravans. The caravans are lined up in two rows at the
settlement's far western edge and extend northward from Neve
Shir, an area with 17 permanent structures that was built in

1991. The caravans share Neve Shir's water, electricity, and
sewage infrastructure.


3. (S/NF) Shtul told PolOff that he issued permits for the
installation of the new caravans. Satellite imagery from
January 2008 show the caravans in the initial stages of
construction.

Eli Footprint Extended North by 250 Meters
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4. (C) Neve Shir's 17 permanent duplex structures - with 34
homes - form a NW to SE arc at Eli's westernmost point. The
new caravans were installed east of the permanent structures
and extend Eli's footprint approximately 250 meters
northward. (Note: A steep ridge prevents further expansion
northward beyond the new caravans. End Note) Walking these
250 meters with PolOff February 26, Shtul said he plans to
install more caravans as necessary.

New Caravans in Questionable Area
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5. (C) As noted reftel, the GoI defines a "legal"
settlement as meeting the four following criteria: a) it
follows a government resolution to establish a new community;
b) is on state land; c) has an approved plan; and d) has
clearly defined municipal and jurisdictional boundaries
determined by the regional military commander. If a
settlement does not meet all four criteria, it is illegal by
GoI standards. Eli has an approved plan and defined
municipal boundaries. However, in late 2007, the Civil
Administration made public the municipal boundaries of
settlements in response to a Peace Now court action. Peace
Now reviewed these records and determined that Eli has grown
outside its approved plan and its municipal boundaries,
including in the area of Neve Shir. The area in which the
new caravans is located is also outside the municipal
boundaries, based on information obtained by Peace Now.

Caravans for New Immigrants?
--------------


6. (C) During his visit, PolOff saw a five car GoI Ministry
of Absorption and Immigration delegation survey the new
caravans as well as a young couple whom Shtul said are
considering renting a caravan. Shtul added that he rents out
the new caravans for 1000 NIS (approximately USD 285) per
month.

Comment
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7. (C) From a "Google Earth" perspective, the 27 caravans
extend Eli's footprint 250 meters northward and expand the
settlement's built up area. They do not "fill in" any part of
Eli or constitute vertical extensions of existing structures.
Most of the residents moving into the caravans are
newlyweds, which is typical of caravan occupants in the West
Bank. Eli's 27 new caravans, like those at Maskiyyot
(reftel),are especially problematic because they are located
well east of the separation barrier.
WALLES