IDF: More than 300,000 settlers live in West Bank

Article published in HAARETZ July 27, 2009
By Chaim Levinson, Haaretz Settlements Correspondent

There are now more than 300,000 residents living in Jewish West Bank settlements, according to a Israel Defense Forces Civil Administration report covering the first half of 2009.

As of June 30, the settlements had 304,569 residents, an increase of 2.3 percent since January.

Most of the growth was in the most religious communities, including the ultra-Orthodox settlements. Modi'in Ilit gained 1,879 residents, a 4.5 percent increase. Beitar Ilit gained 1,074 residents, a 3.1 percent jump.

Excluding these two communities, the growth rate in the other Jewish settlements was 1.75 percent.

Generally, growth rates are higher in the second half of the year, because many families move over the summer.

Among local councils, Har Adar (near Jerusalem) saw 5.7 percent growth, and Alfei Menashe (near the Sharon region, north of Tel Aviv) reported a 2.7 percent increase. Kedumim recorded 2.1 percent; Emanuel, 1.2 percent; and Kiryat Arba, 0.9 percent.

The report also reflects government restrictions on settlement construction. Population growth in settlements in high demand was relatively low. Ma'aleh Adumim, home to many young couples, saw a population increase of just 1 percent, as did Efrat, where professionals and American immigrants often seek housing.

The population of Hashmonaim, also a destination for many American newcomers, increased by 1.1 percent. Ofra grew by 1.2 percent. Karnei Shomron had a population increase of 0.2 percent - another 15 residents. Ariel grew by less than 0.1 percent.

The report also noted a 4.4 percent increase - 425 people - in settlers living outside municipal areas.

However, these figures do not include all of the residents of unauthorized outposts, as some are regarded as residents of adjoining settlements. The highest growth rates by percentage were in small settlements such as Itamar, Elon Moreh and Kfar Tapuah.

Israel holds 18th Jewish Olympics

Article published on China View July 13, 2009
Editor: Zhang Xiang

RAMAT GAN, Israel, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The 18th Maccabiah Games, known as the Jewish Olympics, officially kicked off on Monday night in this central Israeli city.

Some 30,000 spectators, including Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attended the opening ceremony, and watched 65 delegations from different countries and regions march into the National Stadium.

During the 11-day sports meet, over 7,000 amateur and professional athletes will compete in 31 events, including Olympic ones such as track and field, basketball and swimming, and non-Olympic ones such as golf, karate, lawn bowls and chess.

The contests are divided into three different categories, namely Open, Junior and Master. The Junior games are open to athletes aged from 15 to 18, and the Master ones are for older competitors.

In light of the record high number of participants in the quadrennial event, a regional games recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the Jewish state has mobilized resources nationwide, and matches will take place at different venues across the country.

The Maccabiah Games debuted in 1932, and has been held in Israel reguarly since 1953. Named after an ancient Jewish hero, the event is open to every Jew across the world and every non-Jewish citizen of Israel.

In order to guarantee the safety of the participants, Israeli authorities have beefed up security measures across the nation.

P.S. Official Macabiah Games website: http://www.maccabiah.com/

Israel's biggest mall to be built in Beersheba

Article published on Ynetnews.com July 6, 2009
By Ilana Curiel

County's first green shopping center to be built in southern city at total investment of NIS 700,000. Construction scheduled to be completed in 2012

"This is my life's work," entrepreneur Eli Lahav, CEO of the Lahav Group, stated last week in reference to the Beersheba Mall, which is planned to stretch over an area of about 100,000 square meters at an investment of NIS 700 million (about $180.5 million).

According to Lahav, the mall – which is scheduled to be ready in three years – will be the biggest in Israel and the first green shopping center in the country.

Shem Tov Tzruya, head of the architects' team at the Moore Yasky Sivan company, spoke of the mall's green characteristics, which will be a consumption, recreation and social center for residents of the Negev's capital and its surroundings.

Alongside the green design, which saves on energy, the mall's appearance is also aimed at making an impression and breaking the city's desert-like appearance.

Simulation of new mall

Lahav and Tzruya made the remarks at a ceremony held Sunday in the Negev's capital to expose the project.

The mall's main entrance will have three waterfalls. "The water expresses prosperity and life," explained Tzruya. In addition, the mall will include a pool for collecting rain water and air-conditioner water and reusing it for irrigation, as well as use of natural illumination and solar energy.

A green park will be built near the mall on an area of about 8,000 square meters. Special bicycle lanes will be developed around the mall.

"On the roof we'll have thousands of photo-volt cells in order to save on energy. A special glass will be installed at the entrance to the mall which will be transparent without absorbing the sun's energy," explained Tzruya.

According to the entrepreneurs, the mall will be twice bigger than the Ramat Aviv Mall in Tel Aviv. It will have 40,000 square meters of commercial area for rental, 1,800 parking spots, and about 5,000 square meters for recreation and leisure.

The transfer of the IDF bases to the Negev and the fact that the land reserves in central Israel are increasingly disappearing have led Lahav to realize that Beersheba could be the next economic center.

'A huge youth cultural center'

The mall will be built on the ruins of the nostalgic (Neot Midbar) Desert Inn Hotel. The recreation and leisure center created is expected to serve hundreds of thousands of the region's residents.

"When I was offered to buy Neot Midbar, it took me a few second to realize the deal's potential, and within 24 hours everything was already signed," explained Lahav, who was born in Beersheba.

"They asked me 'why Beersheba?', and I said, 'The news will come out of Beersheba.' This is one of the leading consumers' cities in Israel, a district city with half a million people. This is the next great thing. This is a world view, a concept, a center combining recreation and leisure and a communal center. This is in fact a huge youth cultural center."

Lahav aspires to turn the mall into the residents' second home. The mall will take part in activity for the communal life together with municipality bodies for all layers of the population, including hosting classes encouraging local handiwork, a center for youth movements and soldiers' meeting, a recreation center for children, and a golden age club.

Behind the social aspect hides a financial motive as well. Beersheba is already filled with shopping centers, and therefore the Beersheba mall must make itself particularly attractive for the audience it is slated to serve.

Avi Shayat, Lahav Group's business development manager, explained that this would also leverage the business-economic activity in the city.

"The more you stay here the level of expenditure per capita rises, and the proceeds increase," said Shayat.

The army is also a key part of the business. "There will be shuttles from the bases to the mall. Those going on leave won't escape. In the night the soldiers will be driven back to the bases."

'Mall will be a source of inspiration'

"People will come and learn from us. The mall will be a source of inspiration," said Lahav. "We are creating a public center."

He added that the mall would be planned as an inseparable part of the city, but that this would not hurt the other centers. "There will be a battle on giving better service. There is room both for that and for that."

The mall's construction is expected to being in 2010, but the earth works have already begun. The construction is expected to end in 2012. In the area near the mall the municipality is interested in setting up a hotel, and the Lahav Group is competing for the area in a tender.

Some 300,000 vehicles pass every day on the Toviyahu Boulevard route, where the mall will be built. 35% of the city's population lives at a distance of 1.5 kilometers from the mall.

No one was wise enough to realize the potential hiding in this valued area so far, and Lahav decided to build his life's work, his vision, in the area: A metropolitan commercial center combining communal activity.

However he is still asked, "Why Beersheba?"

"Beersheba and the Negev are about to undergo a revolution in the coming years," says Yaakov Ben Yizri, president of the commerce bureau in the Negev. This is a good enough reason to understand why Beersheba of all places."