Begin Puts Reins on Gush Settlement Plans

Leaders of the Gush Emunim met with Premier Menachem Begin today in an eleventh hour effort to get his approval for their plans to set up 11 new settlements in the heart of the Samaria region on the West Bank this Wednesday. They apparently failed.

The outcome of the meeting was not disclosed but the Gush leaders emerged from it grim faced and most refused to comment to reporters. Hanan Porat, one of the most influential figures in the ultra-nationalist religious group said only that the purpose of the meeting was to “discuss future settlements” with the Premier.

According to Gush sources, some 2500 people are waiting for the green light to settle in the occupied territory. They have concentrated vehicles, tractors and other equipment ready to move in Wednesday, right after the Succot holiday. A Gush delegation met with Begin last week and reportedly told him that the “count-down” cannot be stopped. The group appeared to be under the impression that Begin agreed but the Prime Minister’s Office denied later that he had any knowledge of plans to set up 11 new settlements.

PRESSURE FROM U.S. EFFECTIVE

The Gush are said to be seeking a fait accompli “before the deluge.” The Likud government sympathizes with their aims but so far has refrained from allowing any new settlements on the West Bank outside the area defined by the old, unofficial Allon Plan. The Gush have been pressing for an early change of that policy that will leave no doubt that Israel intends to retain the West Bank permanently.

But the settlement issue has been the focus of mounting pressure on Israel from the U.S. and other friendly nations. With Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan presently conducting delicate negotiations in Washington, Begin appears anxious to avoid any further friction. The government, like the previous Labor-led regime, has said it would not tolerate unauthorized settlements. The Gush, which had no qualms over defying the Labor government, does not want to clash with Likud which has always supported them in principle.

IRONIC OVERTONES

According to reports the sites chosen for the proposed settlements are Dotan in northern Samaria; Shomron, near ancient Sebastia; Karnei-Shomron; Givon and Jericho. All settlements would be established on government-owned land.

The situation is not without ironic overtones. Begin, when he was leader of the opposition, openly encouraged the Gush to defy the Labor government and numerous attempts were made by them to establish settlements in the Judaea and Samaria regions. In most cases these were thwarted by the government under Premier Yitzhak Rabin. One settlement, near Kadum in Samaria, was allowed to remain through it was declared illegal. One of Begin’s first acts on taking office last June was to legalize that settlement and two others on the West Bank.

But now Begin is trying to persuade the Gush, who were among his most ardent supporters, to hold off on their plans out of consideration for Israel’s delicate diplomatic situation. Israel is urging the U.S. not to support Arab resolutions during the current UN General Assembly session to condemn Israel for the settlements. New settlement attempts by the Gush at this time could very well put Washington on the Arab side at the UN, Begin reportedly told the Gush delegation. He is also reported to have told them that the government will not permit settlements that are not authorized by the Ministerial Settlement Committee.

Gush leaders who convened at Bnei Brak this evening to discuss the situation were divided over how to react. Some insisted that their movement cannot act against the government’s instructions. Others demanded immediate action regardless of the government. As one Gush leader said tonight, “This day may decide if the Gush will continue to exist or not–to be or not to be.”