Betar Illit was established less than twenty years ago, when a trailer was parked on the outskirts of the Wadi Foquin entrance. This outpost, named Hadar Betar, served as an office to plan the development. Thereafter, the construction began on the Jewish Orthodox colony of Betar Illit, established in 1984. It is one of the largest and most rapidly growing settlements, with a higher birthrate than any other habitation in the West Bank or Israel. According to local authorities, the population may reach 100,000 by 2020, based on population growth indexes, requiring expansion of more illegal housing units and more land confiscation. The settlement is illegal according to the 4th Geneva Convention. Therefore confiscation of land for the construction of settlements is also illegal.
Land confiscation orders issued a few years ago to extend Israel's Separation Wall along the western side of the village have been stopped for now, thanks in part to support from a vocal minority in the Israeli town of Tzur Hadassah just across the Green Line from Wadi Foquin. However, the Israeli Civil Authority has prevented the villagers from constructing a soccer field in the planned path of the Wall, and support from Tzur Hadassa appears to be waning. It has recently come to light that Tzur Hadassa has joined Betar Illit in discharging waste into Wadi Foquin's fields.
Land confiscation orders issued a few years ago to extend Israel's Separation Wall along the western side of the village have been stopped for now, thanks in part to support from a vocal minority in the Israeli town of Tzur Hadassah just across the Green Line from Wadi Foquin. However, the Israeli Civil Authority has prevented the villagers from constructing a soccer field in the planned path of the Wall, and support from Tzur Hadassa appears to be waning. It has recently come to light that Tzur Hadassa has joined Betar Illit in discharging waste into Wadi Foquin's fields.
