7 july 2018
Israeli settlers Saturday cut down hundreds of fruitful grape trees belonging to Palestinians in the town of al-Khader, in Bethlehem city in the southern West Bank.
Ahmad Salah, coordinator of Anti-Settlement Committee in the town, said that Israeli extremist settlers cut down around 200 fruitful vineyards located adjacent to two illegal Israeli settlements: Efrat and Eliezer.
He added that Israeli occupation forces have recently intensified their measures against the town locals as a prelude to take over the land for settlement expansion.
Ahmad Salah, coordinator of Anti-Settlement Committee in the town, said that Israeli extremist settlers cut down around 200 fruitful vineyards located adjacent to two illegal Israeli settlements: Efrat and Eliezer.
He added that Israeli occupation forces have recently intensified their measures against the town locals as a prelude to take over the land for settlement expansion.
Israeli police on Saturday morning launched a new attack on Bab al-Rahma area east of al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem.
According to Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department, Israeli policemen in the early morning hours wreaked havoc in Bab al-Rahma area.
It added in a brief statement that al-Aqsa guards confronted the Israeli police and forced them to stop the attack.
Bab al-Rahma has been repeatedly attacked by the police over the past month after settler groups claimed on social media websites that the cleaning campaign launched in the area following some restorations there is an "act of vandalism".
The Israeli police further uprooted olive trees planted in the area and destroyed the new stairs built of al-Aqsa Mosque stones.
According to Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department, Israeli policemen in the early morning hours wreaked havoc in Bab al-Rahma area.
It added in a brief statement that al-Aqsa guards confronted the Israeli police and forced them to stop the attack.
Bab al-Rahma has been repeatedly attacked by the police over the past month after settler groups claimed on social media websites that the cleaning campaign launched in the area following some restorations there is an "act of vandalism".
The Israeli police further uprooted olive trees planted in the area and destroyed the new stairs built of al-Aqsa Mosque stones.
6 july 2018
Extremist Israeli settlers on Friday raided the village of Urif, to the south of Nablus in the West Bank, troched dozens of dunums of Palestinian farmlands and uprooted olive saplings and trees near the village, according to local sources.
The PIC correspondent said that dozens of settlers, protected by a military escort, assaulted some homes at the entrance to the village and uprooted olive saplings belonging to local residents.
Clashes erupted between Israeli forces and local villagers in the aftermath of the attack. The Israeli soldiers fired live bullets and rubber-coated rounds to disperse the protesting villagers, injuring one of them in the head.
The wounded man was identified as Ahmad Safadi who was transferred to Rafidiya Hospital in Nablus city.
Israeli Soldiers Injure Palestinians Defending Their Village After Colonists Attacked It, Cut And Burnt Dozens Of Trees
Medical sources have reported, Friday, that dozens of Palestinians suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, one was shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet, and many others sustained cuts and bruises, after Israeli soldiers attacked them while defending their village, Orif, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, when a group of extremist illegal Israeli colonists attacked its farmlands, burnt and cuts dozens of trees.
Adel Omar, an activist with the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B’Tselem), said the attack was carried out by dozens of assailants from Yitzhar illegal Israeli colony, which was built on private Palestinian lands.
He added that the colonists invaded the eastern area of the village and burnt dozens of Dunams planted with olive and almond trees, in addition cutting many trees.
The soldiers then invaded the village, and attacked the Palestinians, before firing many live rounds at them, gas bombs and rubber-coated steel bullets.
One Palestinian was shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet in his head, before he was rushed to Rafidia hospital for treatment.
Dozens suffered the effects of teargas inhalation and received the needed treatment by local medics.
The soldiers also fired live rounds at a press vehicle for Palestine TV.
In a statement, the Committee for Protecting Orif village said the Israeli assailants caused the following damage to the Palestinian lands.
The PIC correspondent said that dozens of settlers, protected by a military escort, assaulted some homes at the entrance to the village and uprooted olive saplings belonging to local residents.
Clashes erupted between Israeli forces and local villagers in the aftermath of the attack. The Israeli soldiers fired live bullets and rubber-coated rounds to disperse the protesting villagers, injuring one of them in the head.
The wounded man was identified as Ahmad Safadi who was transferred to Rafidiya Hospital in Nablus city.
Israeli Soldiers Injure Palestinians Defending Their Village After Colonists Attacked It, Cut And Burnt Dozens Of Trees
Medical sources have reported, Friday, that dozens of Palestinians suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, one was shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet, and many others sustained cuts and bruises, after Israeli soldiers attacked them while defending their village, Orif, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, when a group of extremist illegal Israeli colonists attacked its farmlands, burnt and cuts dozens of trees.
Adel Omar, an activist with the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B’Tselem), said the attack was carried out by dozens of assailants from Yitzhar illegal Israeli colony, which was built on private Palestinian lands.
He added that the colonists invaded the eastern area of the village and burnt dozens of Dunams planted with olive and almond trees, in addition cutting many trees.
The soldiers then invaded the village, and attacked the Palestinians, before firing many live rounds at them, gas bombs and rubber-coated steel bullets.
One Palestinian was shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet in his head, before he was rushed to Rafidia hospital for treatment.
Dozens suffered the effects of teargas inhalation and received the needed treatment by local medics.
The soldiers also fired live rounds at a press vehicle for Palestine TV.
In a statement, the Committee for Protecting Orif village said the Israeli assailants caused the following damage to the Palestinian lands.
- Cut 40 olive saplings owned by Issam Safadi.
- Cut and burnt 62 saplings owned by Mohammad Shehada.
- Burnt and cut 12 olive and almond trees owned by Raed Sabah.
- Cut 14 olive saplings owned by Najeh Shehada.
- Burnt 18 fig and pomegranate trees owned by Shaher Shehada.
The Head of the Commission Against the Israeli Annexation Wall and Colonies, Walid Assaf, said the Israeli High Court’s decision to temporarily halt the demolition of al-Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin Palestinian community, east of Jerusalem, is a positive step forward, but added that the legal and political battle to save the community is approaching, as it is still under the serious threat of demolition and displacement.
His statement came after the Palestinians managed to achieve a temporary injunction by the Israeli Supreme Court, giving the army until July 11trh, to respond to a petition by the villagers, who said they were denied construction permits due to unfair policies.
Assaf said more and ongoing popular, political, diplomatic and legal struggle is now urgently needed to achieve a ruling completely voiding the Israeli decision to demolish and displace the Palestinian community.
During a press conference in al-Khan al-Ahmar village, Assaf said the lawyers of the commission, supported by the steadfastness of the locals, Israeli and international peace activists, managed to achieve this victory, this first step.
He added that the temporary injunction gives the legal team some time to study the earlier decision of the High Court thoroughly allowing the demolitions, to prepare for a new defense and find ambiguities in the initial ruling.
“The lawyers only received the file five days ago, started preparing a structural plan for the village, and filed it with the Israeli Civil Administration in Beit El,” Assaf stated, “But It refused to receive the plan, and informed us that there is a political decision for the demolition of al-Khan al-Ahmar.”
Assaf said that after Civil Administration refused to receive the file, the lawyers rushed to the Israeli High Court, on Thursday evening, demanding an injunction halting the displacement and demolition.
“The Israeli judge, who issued the initial verdict to demolish and displace al-Khan al-Ahmar, is a colonizer from Kfar Adumim settlement, next to the Palestinian community,” he added, “We then achieved the temporary injunction, and a ruling asking Israel to explain while the structural plan was rejected.”
“For eighteen consecutive days, we sent a clear message to the world to stand with our people, and prevent their displacement,” he added, “This issue does not only impact al-Khan al-Ahmar; there are 46 other Bedouin villages facing the same fate of destruction and displacement.”
The official added that “the Palestinian leadership, all factions, unions and the peace activists managed to foil America’s so-called Deal of the Century on the field level, but the struggle against the displacement of our people in Area C of the occupied West Bank is still ongoing, especially since Israel wants to remove the indigenous Palestinians to control the lands and build colonies.
Assaf added that the case of al-Khan al-Ahmar Palestinian village is not only about displacement of the inhabitants, but also part of the ongoing struggle against the Israeli plans to build thousands of colonialist units by displacing dozens of Bedouin communities in the occupied West Bank.
Adnan Al-Husseini, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said the Palestinian leadership rejected the so-called ” of the Century,” presented by U.S. President Donald Trump, and added that part of rejecting this plan is the struggle to save al-Khan al-Ahmar.
“Israel is committing these crimes with a complete the support of the United States; our people need to be prepared for a lengthy battle,” he said, “The case of al-Khan al-Ahmar is not over, and what is needed is more support and solidarity, especially since this case is part of the Israeli attempts to fully annex East Jerusalem and its surrounding areas, by first removing the locals.”
Arab Member of Knesset, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, said the Israeli occupation wants to subject the Palestinians to another Nakba, like what happened to them in 1948, and added that the inhabitants of al-Jahalin Bedouin village, al-Khan al-Ahmar, every community, and every Palestinian will remain steadfast, and will never abandon their legitimate rights.
“Israel is targeting al-Khan al-Ahmar because it is the gate to occupied Jerusalem, it wants to implement its illegal E1 colonialist project,” Dr. Tibi stated, “What is happening to the Palestinians is ethnic cleansing.”
He also said that the delegations and diplomats who visited al-Khan al-Ahmar to protest the Israeli decision had an impact, but what is needed is real policies to oblige Israel to refrain from implementing its illegal projects.
“What is needed from the European Union is political and economic sanctions on Israel,” Dr. Tibi said, “Otherwise, the Israel plans will continue. We also need massive support from the Arab countries and the international community to foil the ‘Deal of the Century’, to prevent the implementation of this conspiracy against Jerusalem, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, struggling for the liberation and independence of their homeland.”
His statement came after the Palestinians managed to achieve a temporary injunction by the Israeli Supreme Court, giving the army until July 11trh, to respond to a petition by the villagers, who said they were denied construction permits due to unfair policies.
Assaf said more and ongoing popular, political, diplomatic and legal struggle is now urgently needed to achieve a ruling completely voiding the Israeli decision to demolish and displace the Palestinian community.
During a press conference in al-Khan al-Ahmar village, Assaf said the lawyers of the commission, supported by the steadfastness of the locals, Israeli and international peace activists, managed to achieve this victory, this first step.
He added that the temporary injunction gives the legal team some time to study the earlier decision of the High Court thoroughly allowing the demolitions, to prepare for a new defense and find ambiguities in the initial ruling.
“The lawyers only received the file five days ago, started preparing a structural plan for the village, and filed it with the Israeli Civil Administration in Beit El,” Assaf stated, “But It refused to receive the plan, and informed us that there is a political decision for the demolition of al-Khan al-Ahmar.”
Assaf said that after Civil Administration refused to receive the file, the lawyers rushed to the Israeli High Court, on Thursday evening, demanding an injunction halting the displacement and demolition.
“The Israeli judge, who issued the initial verdict to demolish and displace al-Khan al-Ahmar, is a colonizer from Kfar Adumim settlement, next to the Palestinian community,” he added, “We then achieved the temporary injunction, and a ruling asking Israel to explain while the structural plan was rejected.”
“For eighteen consecutive days, we sent a clear message to the world to stand with our people, and prevent their displacement,” he added, “This issue does not only impact al-Khan al-Ahmar; there are 46 other Bedouin villages facing the same fate of destruction and displacement.”
The official added that “the Palestinian leadership, all factions, unions and the peace activists managed to foil America’s so-called Deal of the Century on the field level, but the struggle against the displacement of our people in Area C of the occupied West Bank is still ongoing, especially since Israel wants to remove the indigenous Palestinians to control the lands and build colonies.
Assaf added that the case of al-Khan al-Ahmar Palestinian village is not only about displacement of the inhabitants, but also part of the ongoing struggle against the Israeli plans to build thousands of colonialist units by displacing dozens of Bedouin communities in the occupied West Bank.
Adnan Al-Husseini, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said the Palestinian leadership rejected the so-called ” of the Century,” presented by U.S. President Donald Trump, and added that part of rejecting this plan is the struggle to save al-Khan al-Ahmar.
“Israel is committing these crimes with a complete the support of the United States; our people need to be prepared for a lengthy battle,” he said, “The case of al-Khan al-Ahmar is not over, and what is needed is more support and solidarity, especially since this case is part of the Israeli attempts to fully annex East Jerusalem and its surrounding areas, by first removing the locals.”
Arab Member of Knesset, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, said the Israeli occupation wants to subject the Palestinians to another Nakba, like what happened to them in 1948, and added that the inhabitants of al-Jahalin Bedouin village, al-Khan al-Ahmar, every community, and every Palestinian will remain steadfast, and will never abandon their legitimate rights.
“Israel is targeting al-Khan al-Ahmar because it is the gate to occupied Jerusalem, it wants to implement its illegal E1 colonialist project,” Dr. Tibi stated, “What is happening to the Palestinians is ethnic cleansing.”
He also said that the delegations and diplomats who visited al-Khan al-Ahmar to protest the Israeli decision had an impact, but what is needed is real policies to oblige Israel to refrain from implementing its illegal projects.
“What is needed from the European Union is political and economic sanctions on Israel,” Dr. Tibi said, “Otherwise, the Israel plans will continue. We also need massive support from the Arab countries and the international community to foil the ‘Deal of the Century’, to prevent the implementation of this conspiracy against Jerusalem, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, struggling for the liberation and independence of their homeland.”
Preparations have been underway on Friday morning in the Bedouin hamlet of Khan al-Ahmer, east of Occupied Jerusalem, to receive thousands of Palestinian citizens.
Scores of citizens already started to flock to the area to observe the Friday khutba (sermon) and prayers, and to show their solidarity with the local residents.
Dozens of Palestinian and foreign activists as well as Khan al-Ahmar villagers have been participating in the reception efforts, which include the deployment of more sit-in tents, cleaning the area and prepare it for the Friday prayers.
Several activists had spent their night in Khan al-Ahmar hamlet in solidarity with the local residents, who are threatened with displacement.
Scores of citizens already started to flock to the area to observe the Friday khutba (sermon) and prayers, and to show their solidarity with the local residents.
Dozens of Palestinian and foreign activists as well as Khan al-Ahmar villagers have been participating in the reception efforts, which include the deployment of more sit-in tents, cleaning the area and prepare it for the Friday prayers.
Several activists had spent their night in Khan al-Ahmar hamlet in solidarity with the local residents, who are threatened with displacement.
The Israeli high court of justice has issued an injunction ordering a halt to the demolition of the Bedouin Khan al-Ahmar hamlet for a few days.
The popular committee to resist Israel’s separation wall and settlement activities said that the high court ordered the civil administration to suspend the removal of the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar and demolition of their homes until July 11 to give the Israeli army’s civil administration a chance to explain why it refuses to license the community.
The committee worked diligently during the last few days to prepare an organized structural plan for the community in order to have a license, but the civil administration rejected it, prompting the former to file a petition with the Israeli high court asking for issuing an injunction against the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar homes until the Israeli authorities provide convincing reasons for their refusal to grant a license for the plan.
Head of the committee Walid Assaf expressed hope that there would be a final decision by the court on July 11 stopping the civil administration from demolishing the community’s homes.
The popular committee to resist Israel’s separation wall and settlement activities said that the high court ordered the civil administration to suspend the removal of the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar and demolition of their homes until July 11 to give the Israeli army’s civil administration a chance to explain why it refuses to license the community.
The committee worked diligently during the last few days to prepare an organized structural plan for the community in order to have a license, but the civil administration rejected it, prompting the former to file a petition with the Israeli high court asking for issuing an injunction against the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar homes until the Israeli authorities provide convincing reasons for their refusal to grant a license for the plan.
Head of the committee Walid Assaf expressed hope that there would be a final decision by the court on July 11 stopping the civil administration from demolishing the community’s homes.
The Following is a statement by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OCHA) :
Today (Thursday), the Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Jamie McGoldrick, the Head of West Bank Operations for UNRWA, Mr. Scott Anderson, and the Head of the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. James Heenan, expressed serious concern over demolitions and related events in vulnerable Palestinian communities in the central West Bank.
Yesterday, Israeli forces began levelling access routes in the Palestinian Bedouin community of Khan al Ahmar-Abu al Helu, home to more than 180 people, 95 per cent of whom are Palestine refugees. The work comes in advance of the expected demolition of the entire community.
Israeli forces injured thirty-five Palestinians and arrested others, including residents, in confrontations that ensued while bulldozers were levelling all entry and exit points. One Israeli soldier was also reported injured as well. Today, the Israeli authorities have declared Khan al Ahmar a closed military area, and are heavily restricting movement of residents and preventing the entry of others to the community.
“What we are seeing unfold on the ground is deeply disturbing,” said Mr. McGoldrick. “Demolitions have a devastating impact on families and on communities. These demolitions are particularly outrageous because they target communities who already live in extremely difficult conditions, with high levels of humanitarian needs. I call again on the Israeli authorities to cease demolitions and other measures that may result in the forcible transfer of Palestinians.”
This situation occurs on the backdrop of a wave of demolitions across the West Bank in recent days. Since 1 July, eleven incidents have occurred, displacing 59 Palestinians, including 37 children, and affecting more than 200 others.
Included within this is the demolition of 19 structures, including nine homes, in the Palestinian Bedouin community of Abu Nuwar (around 600 residents, 88 per cent Palestine refugees). As a result, 51 people, including 33 children, were displaced and another 13 people, including five children, who had family property destroyed, were directly affected. Also, one home was destroyed today in Susiya, displacing a family of five.
“The escalation of events in the last few days – the demolitions in Abu Nuwar, the declaration of the Khan al Ahmar community as a closed military zone, the violence and large presence of armed Israeli forces – makes life in these communities virtually untenable. The latest developments are of serious concern as it is evident that they are undertaken with the objective of relocating the concerned communities, as well as causing serious distress to the vulnerable residents who are watching what appear to be preparations for the demolition of their community,” said Mr. Scott Anderson. “These pastoral communities are mostly Palestine refugees – originally displaced from their tribal lands in the Negev. They should not be forced to experience a second displacement against their will.”
“The demolitions in the community will have serious human rights and humanitarian law consequences,” said Mr. Heenan. “There is high risk of forced evictions of individuals, destruction of private property as well as a dramatic increase in the coercive environment under which the community already lives, in turn raising the risk of forcible transfer.”
END
For more information, please contact Mr. Ofir Feuerstein, +972 (0) 54 33 11 836, feuerstein@un.org.
Background:
Khan al Ahmar – Abu al Helu and Abu Nuwar are among the 46 Palestinian Bedouin communities (8,100 people) at risk of forcible transfer in the central West Bank and among the more than 3,500 residents living in 18 communities located in the area slated for the E1 settlement plan that seeks to connect the Ma’ale Adummim settlement bloc with East Jerusalem.
International humanitarian law (IHL) requires an occupying power to protect the population of the territory that it occupies, ensure its welfare and wellbeing, as well as the respect for its human rights. Any destruction of property by the occupying power is prohibited, except when rendered absolutely necessary by military operations, which is not relevant in the West Bank where there are currently no active hostilities.
The extensive demolition of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, may be a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and may amount to a war crime. Other than for the security of the population or imperative military reasons, IHL further prohibits the transfer of the population of an occupied territory without the genuinely and fully informed consent of the affected people, regardless of the motive.
Consent is not considered genuine in an environment marked by the use or threat of physical force, coercion, fear of violence or duress. In the absence of such consent, the transfer is forcible and constitutes a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Today (Thursday), the Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Jamie McGoldrick, the Head of West Bank Operations for UNRWA, Mr. Scott Anderson, and the Head of the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. James Heenan, expressed serious concern over demolitions and related events in vulnerable Palestinian communities in the central West Bank.
Yesterday, Israeli forces began levelling access routes in the Palestinian Bedouin community of Khan al Ahmar-Abu al Helu, home to more than 180 people, 95 per cent of whom are Palestine refugees. The work comes in advance of the expected demolition of the entire community.
Israeli forces injured thirty-five Palestinians and arrested others, including residents, in confrontations that ensued while bulldozers were levelling all entry and exit points. One Israeli soldier was also reported injured as well. Today, the Israeli authorities have declared Khan al Ahmar a closed military area, and are heavily restricting movement of residents and preventing the entry of others to the community.
“What we are seeing unfold on the ground is deeply disturbing,” said Mr. McGoldrick. “Demolitions have a devastating impact on families and on communities. These demolitions are particularly outrageous because they target communities who already live in extremely difficult conditions, with high levels of humanitarian needs. I call again on the Israeli authorities to cease demolitions and other measures that may result in the forcible transfer of Palestinians.”
This situation occurs on the backdrop of a wave of demolitions across the West Bank in recent days. Since 1 July, eleven incidents have occurred, displacing 59 Palestinians, including 37 children, and affecting more than 200 others.
Included within this is the demolition of 19 structures, including nine homes, in the Palestinian Bedouin community of Abu Nuwar (around 600 residents, 88 per cent Palestine refugees). As a result, 51 people, including 33 children, were displaced and another 13 people, including five children, who had family property destroyed, were directly affected. Also, one home was destroyed today in Susiya, displacing a family of five.
“The escalation of events in the last few days – the demolitions in Abu Nuwar, the declaration of the Khan al Ahmar community as a closed military zone, the violence and large presence of armed Israeli forces – makes life in these communities virtually untenable. The latest developments are of serious concern as it is evident that they are undertaken with the objective of relocating the concerned communities, as well as causing serious distress to the vulnerable residents who are watching what appear to be preparations for the demolition of their community,” said Mr. Scott Anderson. “These pastoral communities are mostly Palestine refugees – originally displaced from their tribal lands in the Negev. They should not be forced to experience a second displacement against their will.”
“The demolitions in the community will have serious human rights and humanitarian law consequences,” said Mr. Heenan. “There is high risk of forced evictions of individuals, destruction of private property as well as a dramatic increase in the coercive environment under which the community already lives, in turn raising the risk of forcible transfer.”
END
For more information, please contact Mr. Ofir Feuerstein, +972 (0) 54 33 11 836, feuerstein@un.org.
Background:
Khan al Ahmar – Abu al Helu and Abu Nuwar are among the 46 Palestinian Bedouin communities (8,100 people) at risk of forcible transfer in the central West Bank and among the more than 3,500 residents living in 18 communities located in the area slated for the E1 settlement plan that seeks to connect the Ma’ale Adummim settlement bloc with East Jerusalem.
International humanitarian law (IHL) requires an occupying power to protect the population of the territory that it occupies, ensure its welfare and wellbeing, as well as the respect for its human rights. Any destruction of property by the occupying power is prohibited, except when rendered absolutely necessary by military operations, which is not relevant in the West Bank where there are currently no active hostilities.
The extensive demolition of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, may be a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and may amount to a war crime. Other than for the security of the population or imperative military reasons, IHL further prohibits the transfer of the population of an occupied territory without the genuinely and fully informed consent of the affected people, regardless of the motive.
Consent is not considered genuine in an environment marked by the use or threat of physical force, coercion, fear of violence or duress. In the absence of such consent, the transfer is forcible and constitutes a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
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