Maskiot (Hebrew: מַשְׂכִּיּוֹת, lit. Artful Bowls) is an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.[2] Located in the northern Jordan Valley, it falls under the jurisdiction of Bik'at HaYarden Regional Council.[2] In 2022 it had a population of 343.

Maskiot
מַשְׂכִּיּוֹת
Hebrew transcription(s)
 • standardMaskiyot
Maskiot is located in the Northern West Bank
Maskiot
Maskiot
Coordinates: 32°19′3″N 35°30′8″E / 32.31750°N 35.50222°E / 32.31750; 35.50222
DistrictJudea and Samaria Area
CouncilBik'at HaYarden
RegionWest Bank
Founded1986
Founded byNahal
Population
 (2022)[1]
343

The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.[3]

History

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It was founded as a Nahal settlement in 1986 and was named after the Bible (Proverbs 25:11): "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in artful bowls."[4]

In July 2008 it was reportedly close to being expanded. According to Israeli Radio, the expansion was part of a deal between settlers in Israeli Outposts established without the permission of the Israeli Government and the Israeli Defense Ministry.[5] Many of Maskiot's residents are planned to be settlers previously evicted from Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip as part of the Israeli disengagement from Gaza.[6] Twenty housing units will be built for evacuees of Shirat HaYam.[7] UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned" over the new Maskiot plan, whereas the British government said it was "dismayed". A spokesman for US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the settlement expansion was "not helpful", and "inconsistent with Israel's commitment to the roadmap".[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b משכיות Bik'at HaYarden Regional Council
  3. ^ "The Geneva Convention". BBC News. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  4. ^ Bitan, Hanna: 1948-1998: Fifty Years of 'Hityashvut': Atlas of Names of Settlements in Israel, Jerusalem 1999, Carta, p.44, ISBN 965-220-423-4 (Hebrew)
  5. ^ W Bank homes 'close to approval' BBC News, 24 July 2008
  6. ^ Weiss, Efrat (September 6, 2009). "New Settlement Being Built in Jordan Valley". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  7. ^ Glickman, Aviad (September 6, 2009). "Corner-Stone Laying Ceremony for E1 Neighborhood Downgraded". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  8. ^ Land battle in the Jordan Valley BBC News, 5 August 2008