Stop-work Orders in al Walaja -Bethlehem Governorate

Since 1948, Al Walaja has been set as a target by the Israeli Occupation which was keen to capture the village and expel its residents. In 1948, the village was 17793 dunums in area; the number was reduced back then to 6000 dunums only after the armistice agreement with the Jordanian side.In 1996, 400 dunums were confiscated for the milling of a by-pass road that is rarely used these days. Moreover, around 1000 dunums were confiscated between 1969 and 1997 for the construction of Gilo colony to the north; as a consequence, the village total area nowadays is around 4800 dunums.

The Israeli have acquired al Walaja as a target for placing around 13600 residential units in a new colony; the projected colony is supposed to connect ‘West Jerusalem’ with Ezyon colony located southern Bethlehem. The most recent aggression has been the construction of the segregation wall. On May 11, 2011, the Israeli Occupation targeted 6 structures; some are two stories, and a garage.

Information on the targeted structures:

1. Adel abu Srour: Israeli troops silently placed a demolition order on the house outer walls. It seemed that the family was not supposed to be relieved from the anxiety they have been suffering because of the first order. The order was issued by the Israeli Occupation Ministry of Interior under the pretext of ‘no construction permit’.

Abu Srour residence house

2. Mohammad Khalifa: the Israeli Occupation Authorities issued a demolition order against a garage owned by the family.It must be noted that the family suffered from the demolition of its house in 1999; however, and because of the need, they rebuilt their house and were subjected to a penalty that they are paying on monthly payments.

Mohammad Khalifa house

3. Kamal Radwan: the family was served a demolition order and they assigned an attorney to defend their case.

Kamal Radwan House

4. Alaa Khalifa: Israeli troops silently hanged a demolition order on the house walls before being asked by one of the family members about the paper but he received no reply whatsoever. The order stated that the house was constructed without a permit. It must be noted that the family house was demolished in 1999 but the family rebuilt it in the same year and they have been managed to pay the 100000 ILS penalty they received by paying 1000 ILS a month; they have also assigned an attorney.

Alaa Khalifa House

5. Atallah abu Rizq: the family received a demolition order against the house they reconstructed, seven years since it had been demolished. the family were forced to rent a simple inadequate house in Duheisha Refugee Camp.They managed to obtain a loan to reconstruct their lost house; unfortunately, they received a new demolition order.The family assigned an attorney in a desperate step to preserve their house.

Atallah abu Rizq house

6. Mahmoud Shihada: the Israeli Authorities hanged the order on one of the walls claiming that it was built without permit.The house is still under constructon; Mahmoud wanted to build the house so as to live in it with his new bride. The family lives in Anata but they are eager to live in their home village.

Mahmoud Shihada Residence

Mahmoud Radwan: the Israeli Authorities hanged the order on one of the walls claiming that it was built without permit.

Despite the fact that the house is still inadequate for living, the family has beenliving there for a while while taking turns to live there.The family wished to mill a road beside the house; however, the Israeli troops guarding the wall prevented them from doing so.

Mahmoud Radwan House

Table 1: victims of the Israeli aggression:

remarks	children	Family members	residences	Victim	No
Under construction	4	8	1	Adel abu Srour	1
garage	1	6	1	Mohammad Khalifa	2
Under construction	0	uninhabited	1	Kamal Radwan	3
Under construction	0	uninhabited	2	Alaa Khalifa	4
Under construction	3	5	1	Atallah abu Rizq	5
Under construction	0	uninhabited	1	Mahmoud Shihada	6
Under construction	1	5	2	Mahmoud Radwan	7
	9	24	9	Total