Against the backdrop of the picturesque landscapes of vineyards, Palestinians have been illegally developing a cottage industry of luxurious vacation compounds in Area C – territory where Israel should have full control under the provisions of the Oslo Accords.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Nestled deep within the heart of Judea and Samaria, these vacation homes and resorts cater to Palestinians by providing a unique experience, complete with spacious guest houses, pristine lawns, inviting pools, and gourmet dining establishments.
One such establishment, located in the Palestinian village of Batir not far from the Jewish community of Beitar demonstrated just how popular they are. After being asked on Facebook about its availability, it responded that "in August, the occupancy is full, sorry." For a fee of NIS 1,200 ($315) guests can get a bed and breakfast experience for an entire day in such a complex.
The watchdog Regavim, which has been closely monitoring these trends, has shared with Israel Hayom some of the findings showing the systematic expansion of these luxury vacation accommodations far from the scrutiny of Israeli authorities. What makes this even more intriguing is that some of this activity has been endorsed and backed by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism, with their stated objective being "to prevent settlers from taking over the territory," according to Regavim.
Video: Illegal Palestinian activity in Judea and Samaria / Credit: Regavim
Field coordinator Menash Shmueli of Regavim's Judea and Samaria division recently used drone technology to document at least four such compounds, with one of the most significant establishments situated in the village of Batir.
"They started this six months ago in that village, with the B&Bs situated on the border of the Green Line, where there's no fence, affording views of Jerusalem," Shmueli explained. Batir, in recent years, has transformed into a tourist destination, boasting archaeological digs, high-end dining, and other forms of entertainment. This is further complemented by the absence of a security barrier due to it being a UNESCO-designated area.
In the city of Jericho, the Regavim team located an establishment situated partially in Area A (where there is full Palestinian control) and with another part in Area C, bordering the Hasmonean Palaces archaeological site.
Shmueli says that this complex might be owned by Israeli Arabs and offers activities such as ATV tours and various attractions at a rate of NIS 1,500 per day. "This complex matches the standards of a five-star hotel, boasting three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two kitchens," Shmueli told Israel Hayom.
"Their strategy is very easy to discern – by promoting those sites they claim that they could help 'prevent an Israeli takeover of Judea and Samaria.' A developer usually seeks peace and tranquility rather than noise, so ostensibly it appears counterproductive to build in a contentious location. This is why the Palestinian Authority backs these projects. Instead of single-family homes, these become complexes where thousands of people visit each year, reinforcing the Palestinian presence in the area," Shmueli told Israel Hayom.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
