Soaking Agricultural Fields with Sewage in Deir Istiya – Salfit governorate

Violation: soaking huge areas of agricultural fields with Revava colony sewage.

Perpetrators: colonists of Revava.

Victims: farmers of Deir Istiya.

Date: November 20, 2011.

Location: ‘Al Wajh al Qibli’, Deir Istiya – Salfit.

 

Capturing lands and using them for colonial expansion purposes never seemed to satisfy Israeli colonists who do not only seek expansions but also tend to hunt the Palestinians in their basic needs. Wadi Qana is known for its fertile land, beautiful nature, and availability of water. It is edged by Jinsafut, Kafr Laqif, ‘Azzun (north), Sniriya, Kafr Thulth (west), Qarawat Bani Hassan (south), Amatin and Deir Istiya (east).

 

Most of the lands in Wadi Qana are property of farmers of Deir Istiya.Wadi Qana is more than 10000 dunums in area; it is mostly planted with olive trees, citrus, and many others.It is also known for the availability of water; 11 natural springs exist in Wadi Qana making it convenient for cultivation; thus, a source of income for tens of families living in the surrounding villages.

 

The Israeli Occupation classified Wadi Qana as a natural reserve in the seventies, preventing any cultivation activities.The beauty of Wadi Qana did not spare it from the Israeli corruption; the Israelis blighted a shadow on the development of the area by depriving the Palestinians from their most basic rights, the likes of water access and the ability to exploit their lands.Recently, Israeli colonists of Revava pumped sewage into Al Wajh al Qibli area located nearby the colony.

 

The sewage leaking from unattended pipes is being absorbed by soil and considered the major reason for water and soil pollution in the area. In addition, the waste water spreading over 20 dunums in the area is considered a toxic substance that threatens trees and threatens the whole agricultural value of the area by rendering it unproductive.The sewage defiled the environment and turned it into a haven of insects, parasites, and Rattus as well as the spread of wild boars that are mostly released by the colonists.

 

  

  

Mr. Nazmi Salman, Deir Istiya Governor, stated to an LRC observer: ‘Deir Istiya Municipality filed numerous complaints to the Israeli side through the so-called District Coordination Office. The Israelis response was nothing more than phony promises.

 

Revava, a continuous source of agony: Revava was established in 1991. Nowadays, its total area reaches up to 2800 dunums including 300 of built up area; inhabited by 827 people. (*source FMEP).Since its establishment, the colony has been obstructing development of Deir Istiya in general.

 

Israeli dozers have initiated a large-scale land-leveling campaign with a purpose of opening new roads connecting the colonies in the area; in addition, the colony total area is being enlarged over time which is drastically damaging the agricultural sector.The Israelis tend to create unchangeable facts on the ground on various Palestinian villages expense.