Ma’on Colonists are increasing their aggressions rates in eastern Yatta

 

Violation: various attacks including uprooting and destruction of 30 trees.

Location: Ballouta Area – Eastern Yatta Town.

Date: February 1 and 2, 2010.

Violators: Maon Colony colonists.

Victims: Rib’i Clan.

 

Introduction: Maon Colony colonists’ aggressions against the Palestinians residing in At Tawani village located to the south of Yatta Town are unstoppable.

 

Jamal Ribi’i, an inhabitant of At Tawani village claims that the colonists’ aggressions are held on daily basis. He claimed in his statement that the colonists’ objective is driving the Palestinian inhabitants out of their lands by any means necessary in order to clear the way for colonial expansion.

 

On January 2, 2010, and while an LRC researcher happened to be in the area, another attack happened, the locals told the LRC observer: ‘The colonists assaulted the shepherds in Ballouta area and that young men in the village rushed to help their fellow Palestinians and because if they do not stop the colonists, no one else will’.

 

Mus’ab and Jamal Ribi’i reported to the LRC observer in the area after standing against the colonists’ attack, they said:’ such aggressions occur on daily basis against farmers and shepherds in the area. 20 colonists showed up and attempted to expel a shepherd from his land. My fellow countrymen, members of the CPT, Italian peacekeepers, and I rushed to stop the attack, and the colonists flew as soon as we arrived to the scene’.

 

On January 4, 2010, thirty fifteen years old olive trees were cut down by Maon colonists. The trees belonged to Mousa’b Ribi’i, a resident of At Tawani village. Colonists, who used night as a cover, used chainsaws for that purpose. It must be noted that the trees were planted in a 4 dunums area (dunum = 1000 m2) that suffered from a similar attack 2 years ago.