Maskiot
מַשְׂכִּיּוֹת | |
---|---|
Hebrew transcription(s) | |
• standard | Maskiyot |
Coordinates: 32°19′3″N 35°30′8″E / 32.31750°N 35.50222°E | |
District | Judea and Samaria Area |
Council | Bik'at HaYarden |
Region | West Bank |
Founded | 1986 |
Founded by | Nahal |
Population (2022)
[1] | 343 |
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.
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this. [3]
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]