So we remain with the third option: avoiding future planning only. But even if Mr. Olmert really means to implement that option, construction in the settlements will continue. The head of Israel's West Bank Civil Administration recently declared that there were plans for thousands of new housing units that had been approved long ago. These units have passed all the licensing procedures; construction can start at any moment.
Add to that existing plans in the process of being approved and you have a robust settlement push with tens of thousands of new residents - negotiations or no.
In practice, only when we see the bulldozers turn back and leave the settlements would we know the freeze is real and the government is seeking peace.
And what about the settlement blocs on the western side of the separation fence, which Israeli leaders said they intend to annex to Israel in the future and which they have been hinting are not included in the freeze? Construction there, before the conclusion of peace negotiations, strengthens the Palestinian militants who claim that talking to Israel only leads to more settlement expansion.
Israel's interest is to prove that it pursues peace and to strengthen the moderates who still seek dialogue. There will be enough time to build in these blocs after an accord is reached, in agreed-upon areas, subject to land-swap arrangements. Until then, the freeze should be applied there as well.
Now, about those illegal outposts ...
Hagit Ofran is the director of Settlement Watch, a project run by the Israeli group Peace Now. Her e-mail is hagitofran@gmail.com.
