In addition to the formal activities made by the Israeli Government, the different settlers' movements also act for the same cause (often at the support of the government itself).   

The term "settlements" is problematic in the context of the Jewish/Israeli construction in East Jerusalem after 1967. Most of the Israeli public does not see the "new" neighborhoods of Jerusalem, such as Gilo, French Hill and Pisgat Ze'ev as settlements, although this is their formal status according to international law.

In Jerusalem, Ir Amim uses the term "settlement" mostly in reference to Jewish construction in the heart of Palestinian areas (for example in the Old City and the surrounding neighborhoods), construction which is not formally initiated or supported by the Government.

Since 1967, Israeli governments have given clear priority to settler ideological organizations which work to strengthen their hold on the most sensitive areas of East Jerusalem, especially the Holy Basin area.  These settler organizations labor to increase the Jewish presence - usually through the establishment of fenced and guarded Jewish-only neighborhoods - in the heart of Palestinian neighborhoods is Jerusalem.  Since 2000, following the Oslo accord and the Camp David summit on one hand and the Clinton parameters on the other hand, there has been a marked attempt by the Israeli government in cooperation with these organizations, to increase efforts to create facts on the ground in order to prevent the future possibility of geographically dividing the city.

Although these initiatives are mainly private ventures, the Israeli government stands behind them covertly or overtly.  The giving of clear priority to the settler organizations is often carried out in a non-technical manner which does not comply with public norms or with a functioning management.  This is done with complete disregard for the country's long-term interests.  Thus, for example, the Israeli government allocates hundreds of millions of shekels per year to provide private security - independent from the Israeli Police Forces - to these Jewish settlements in the Eastern part of the city, at the expense of every Israeli taxpayer.