Israeli Colonial expansions on Deir Istiya village lands

January 26, 2010

Violation: expropriating 24 extra dunums ( one dunum equals 1000 M2)

Date: January 14, 2010.

Violators: Revava colonists

Victims: The family of the Deceased Yousuf al Samhan from Deir Istiya, Salfit governorate .

Picure 1: Revava Colony

Details:

In the morning of Thursday January 14, 2010, colonists from Revava colony started fencing and plowing an estimated 24 dunums of farm land located to the east of the colony. Deir Istiya residents grouped immediately and demonstrated against the plowings. Soon the demonstration turned into a clash with the Israeli Occupation Army soldiers and the colonists.

Soon afterwards, soldiers tried to drive the colonists back in order to avoid the press since many Israeli Occupation officials claim that all colonial activities in the west bank are frozen. The colonists' actions simply confirm the false allegations made by many of the Israeli Occupation officials, who claimed that the colonization activities in the west bank were 'temporarily frozen'.

The Israeli Occupation is trying to clear its reputation before the western world, especially its strategic ally, the USA. These false allegations provided the Israeli Occupation the cover and the support it needed for its outrageous exploits in the West Bank, especially what is happening in the Occupied City of Jerusalem. Furthermore, colonies have never stopped expansion, which is being carried out now under the pretext of 'natural growth requirements'.

On Sunday, January 17, 2009, colonists protected by the Israeli Occupation Police restarted their plowings in the area. A step taken towards occupying as much land as possible. Palestinians were forbidden from exploiting or even reaching their lands because the Israeli Authorities categorize it as 'nature reserve'.

Revava Colony:

Revava colony, which is built on the lands of the Palestinian village of Deir Istiya, is witnessing huge expansions. Tens of residential units are being constructed, in addition, many mobile caravans ( mobile homes) have been placed around the colony.

It is obvious that these are steps towards increasing the capacity of the colony and eventually increase its population. Furthermore, a Jewish Synagogue is being built in the colony.

Revava colony was established in 1991, its built up area is around 160 dunums and its municipal area is 1540 dunums while its settler population by the end of 2008 was 1075 colonistsز

The colony, like its counterparts, contributes in devouring the Palestinian lands for the sake of colonial expansions. Moreover, the Israeli Occupation Authorities and the colonists do not show any sign of respect to the international laws concerned with the measures of disposing different types of waste. Simply, the colonists dump their waste (any type of waste) near the Palestinian villages which is extremely hazardous to the environment.

Deir Istiya:

It is located 7 km away from Salfit City, and 25 km away from Nablus City. It is placed under Salfit Governorate jurisdiction. A side road connects the village to the main road in the area, Nablus- Jerusalem road. It is surrounded by different Palestinian villages including Zeta, Kafl Haris, Haris, Amatin, 'Azzun, Qarawat Bani Hassan, Biddya, and others.

The village is inhabited by 3146 people. Most of the locals have jobs in the private or public sectors. In addition, many of them depend on agriculture. The total area of Deir Istiya is 34592 dunums. Its total built up area is around 640 dunums.

The Israeli Occupation expropriated 4034 dunums that were used for colonial expansion purposes. Many colonies were established in the area including Ariel, Yakir, Revava, Emanuel, and many others.

Table 1: land usage:

Usage	Area
Old Town	65
Olive trees	6969
Fig	175
prunus	44
Citrus	500
Grazing	30000

Table 2: Colonies built on the lands of Salfit:

Name	Type	Establishment Date	TotalArea	Built-up Area	Inhabitants (2005)	villages expropriated
Ariel	Residential, educational, military	1978	13775	2479	16520	Salfit, Kafl Haris, Marda, Deir Istiya
Immanuel	Residential	1982	1909	328	2585	Deir Istiya
Yakir	Residential	1981	1364	342	984	Deir Istiya
Nofim	Residential	N.A.	331	248	400	Deir Istiya
Karne Shomron	Residential, industrial	1978	7339	1351	6280	Deir Istiya
Ma'ale Shamron	Residential	1980	1903	216	574	Deir Istiya
Ginnot Shomeron	Residential	1985	N.A.	608	N.A.	Deir Istiya
Revava	Residential	1991	1540	160	827	Haris
Kefar Tapuh	Residential, military	1978	414	156	648	Yasuf
Bedo'el	residential	1984	595	171	1113	Kafr ad Dik, Deir Ballut
Kiryat Netafim	Residential	1982	1540	162	438	Qarawa, Haris,
Alei Zahav	residential	1982	2003	255	684	Kafr ad Dik
Elqana	Residential	1977	1198	758	2963	Mes-ha
Shaare Tikva	Residential	1982	1045	915	3709	Mes-ha, 'Azzun 'Atma
'Etzfraym	Residential	1985	458	184	642	Mes-ha, Beit Amin, Seniriya
Albarqan	Residential, industrial	1981	2720	349	1231	Sarta, Bruqin, Haris
Neve Oranim	Residential	1991	N.A.	153	N.A.	Deir Istiya
Total			38134	8835	39569