| Maskiot | |
| Stdheb: | Maskiyot |
| Founded: | 1986 |
| Founded By: | Nahal |
| District: | js |
| Region: | West Bank |
| Council: | Bik'at HaYarden |
| Pushpin Map: | Israel shomron |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 250 |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Coordinates: | 32.3175°N 35.5022°W |
Maskiot (he|מַשְׂכִּיּוֹת, lit. Artful Bowls) is an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.[1] Located in the northern Jordan Valley, it falls under the jurisdiction of Bik'at HaYarden Regional Council. In it had a population of .
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.[2]
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."[3]
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.[4] 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.[5] Twenty housing units will be built for evacuees of Shirat HaYam.[6] 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".[7]