Jews in Judea, Samaria Increased by 20 Percent in Olmert's Term

by Gil Ronen


(IsraelNN.com) The number of Jews in Judea and Samaria grew by 20 percent from 250,000 when Ehud Olmert began his term as Prime Minister in April of 2006, to more than 300,000 in the Interior Ministry's official census in 2008, according to Yesha Council Director Pinchas Wallerstein.

Wallerstein said Sunday that the Jewish people are the ones to be thanked for the development, which occurred under what he called "the government most hostile to the settlement movement" since 1967.

"It turns out that the nation is strong," Wallerstein said. The spirit of the people remains steadfast, he said, even at a time in which "the Prime Minister is giving up the Beit She'an Valley and additional parts of
"It turns out that the nation is strong."
the Land of Israel."

'This folding is endless'
Olmert's ongoing concessions, Wallerstein added, "only prove our claim that this folding is endless, and only the stance by the public – that is willing to come out and settle and build its homes – makes the difference."

"This summer more than 400 caravans were built and populated," Wallerstein said. "The meaning of this is that more than 400 families entered the village communities, besides the ones that entered cities like Ariel and Ma'aleh Adumim. These are the very same communities that Olmert said he was willing to give up."

"Besides," the former longtime Binyamin Council head said, "300 permanent houses were also put up.

Outposts will stay
Wallerstein estimated that the state will not wind up evicting residents from any of the outposts which are currently under dispute. "If the leadership – including those who disagree with us – wishes to avoid a confrontation with us, we will be able to reach a permanent solution for construction regarding both the outposts and the permanent communities."

Wallerstein also said that the Yesha Council is about to launch a new "massive" campaign which he called "very Jewish," targeting the entire Israeli populace, religious and non-religious. Without revealing details, he said the campaign would mention King David and the Hasmoneans, and will "move the public to the right, a bit more than it already is."