Jewish settlements in Gaza and the West Bank, some in areas where Jews lived before being pushed out in the 1948 war, others in areas where Jews lived much longer ago, are almost always described in the mainstream media and by many government officials  as illegal, and built in violation of the Geneva accords.

Jeffrey Heimrich has written an article that disputes this line of reasoning. Settements are politically controversial, but not illegal. Maintaining some settlements, were a peace accord reached with the Palestinians, will not prevent a contiguous Palestinian sovereign entity from being formed. The disengagement plan for Gaza and the northern West Bank, is a political decision by the Sharon government, not one required by international law.

Richard Baehr  4 8 05