Violation: large-scale expansions in Eli Zahav and Bedouil
Location: Kafr ad Dik – Salfit Governorate
Date: July 1, 2011
Victims: a number of farmers
Preface:
Since the Israeli conquest of the West Bank in 1967, the Israeli governments have eagerly tried to erase any evidence of the Palestinian residents, history, or culture by spreading Israeli colonies and facilities to make these colonists lives easier. Besides, the colonies are a method used for more land annexation and renders any future ‘peaceful solution’ impossible.
In the past few weeks, the expansion process was quickened rapidly; it is considered a violation of the Pa;estinians rights as well as the international law and onventions.Despite it illegality, the expansion are being supported and blessed by various international states.
It must be noted that Bedouil and Eli Zahav captured the largest share of Palestinian lands; the lands plowed around the colonies is 3 times their total area. The land confiscations have reached a warning level considering that the plowed and confiscated lands are of the most fertile and vital parts of Kafr ad Dik and Salfit in General.
In regard to Eli Zahav, located to the north west of Kafr ad Dik, more than 240 dunums of the village agricultural fields have been leveled and made ready to receive construction.
Picture 1-4: expansions in Eli Zahav and Bedouil
To the west of Kafr ad Dik lays Bedouil colony, which symbolizes land theft. The colony took over the western part of the village.
The colony stand on a hilltop where the former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon once stood and declared that the colony will remain part of the Israeli state forever and ever and that there are no compromises in such a matter.
The bulldozing around the colony had reached outrageous levels as the leveled area has become much larger than the colony itself; more than 200 hundred dunums were completely leveled. While they claim their willingness to negotiate peace and restart the ‘peace process’, the Israeli Occupation government has been offering the colonists with the means and protection needed for them to capture as much Palestinian lands as possible.
The following colonies reside over Kafr ad Dik:
Bedoel: it was established in 1984; its built-up area has reached 537 dunums in 2010, out of these, 418 were confiscated from Beit Furik. The colony is inhabited by 1088 Israelis.
Bedoel Industrial zone: it was established in 1991; its built-up area has reached 264 dunums in 2010, all of it is Kafr ad Dik lands.
Eli Zahav: it was established in 1982; its built-up area has reached 290 built over lands confiscated from Kafr ad Dik. The colony is inhabited by 424 Israeli colonists.
Bruchen: it was established in 1999; its built-up area has reached 265.5 dunums in 2010, out of these, 20 were confiscated from Kafr ad Dik. The colony is inhabited by 992 Israelis.
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
The Land Research Center
LRC
