The Israeli Occupation orders the eviction of 4 coal factories in Barta’a

Violation: ordering the immediate eviction of 4 coal factories in Barta’a.

Perpetrators: the Israeli Occupation Army.

Victims: a number of families in Barta’a.

Date: October 20,2010.

 

 

a large force of the Israeli Occupation Army accompanied by inspectors of the so-called the Organization and Construction Committee broke into Barta’a on October 20, 2010.

 

Barta’a is located to the south east of Jenin city and is completely isolated behind the segregation wall. The sole purpose of the operation was the handing of four eviction orders designated against four coal factories in the village.

 

According to these notifications, the residents of Barta’a will be deprived from the ability to operate the coal factories that were isolated behind the wall. A member of Barta’a Village Council stated to an LRC observer: “ the issue of the eviction order was done in synchronization with the confiscation of more than 40 tons of wood from 50 workshops in eastern Barta’a. The workshops belonged to Jamal ‘Amarna and Yasir Qabaha, and is operated by more than 30 workers. The aggression is first of a kind; the Civil Administration Officer claimed that the workshops are located at the by-pass road connecting the colonies in the area.

 

The notified workshops are the property of Jamal ‘Amarna, Yasir Qabaha, Sabri Qabaha, and Adnan Qabaha.

 

Coal processing is considered one of the oldest and leading industries in the area. The Palestinians have been working in the field since the Ottomans regime; with time, the industry has become very important for the citizens of Ya’bad.

 

In the past, the Palestinians used to collect lumber from Ya’bad forest; however, the trees nowadays are not enough so now the Palestinians fetch wood from area within the “green line”. Ya’bad and Barta’a are known to be the coal capitals of Palestine. They had gained this nickname through centuries of work in this particular field. The industry is endangered now, it is about to vanish.

 

The Israeli decision of prohibiting the import of wood will destroy the industry and deprive many families from their basic source of income. The Israelis justify their acts by “protecting the surrounding colonies”. The workers in the industry say that targeting them is part of an overall process of targeting all sources of Palestinians lives for the sole purpose of driving them out of their country.

 

 

Barta’a is located 30 km to the west of Jenin city and edged by the “green line”. The closest town is Ya’bad which is located 11 km to the east of Barta’a. It is surrounded by 3 small villages including Khirbit Barta’a, Khirbit Abdullah al Yonis, and Khirbit al Mintar.

 

The village is also surrounded by the segregation wall from its eastern and southern sides. The wall and the green line isolates it from the rest of the West bank. The total area of the village is around 21500 dunums including 3500 dunums of built-up area. All of Barta’a area is labeled area ‘C’ according to Oslo agreement. It is inhabited by 3900 people according to the local Village Council.

 

More than 180 structure in Barta’a have already received demolition orders; 19 were already demolished. The Israeli Occupation Authorities justify the orders by constructing without permit in areas classified ‘C’ according to Oslo Accords. The true purpose behind the orders is forcing the Palestinians out of their homes in order to facilitate possible take over.