Throughout the weeks of the invasion itself and ever since the Israeli government has proceeded to build more housing for Israeli settlers in the occupied territories of the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. The present number of Israeli settlers in occupied territory is now estimated at 25,000. These are in 110 settlements of varying size. More settlements are being opened and building is going on at a rate estimated to provide housing for another 75,000 persons during the next two years. To achieve this goal there would have to be enough new housing completed every week on average for 722 persons.
Construction is estimated to be at a rate sufficient to take care of new settlers at that rate.
Housing in the new settlements is offered at subsidized rentals. President Reagan on Sept. 1 launched what he hoped would be a new diplomatic drive for a comprehensive peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors. He proposed that Israel cease all building of new settlements for Israelis in the Arab territories. Had Israel accepted that proposal by the President of the United States, the kingdom of Jordan was ready to join in the peace talks aimed at revival of the Camp David process. But so long as the building of the new housing goes on, King Hussein, and other Arabs, are effectively prevented from joining in the peace process.