Demolition of Palestinian structures in Al- Makhrour area in the southwestern part of Beit Jala city

On the early morning of December 13, 2011, the Israeli occupation bulldozers accompanied by many Israeli Army vehicles stormed Al-Makhrour area southwest of Beit Jala city in the northern parts of Bethlehem Governorate and started without prior notification the demolition of old summer houses owned by three local residents from Beit Jala city.

The first demolished structure is owned by local resident Jeries Fouad Mina Qasasfeh/Zeidan and was built some years ago. During the last summer (summer of 2010), Mr. Zeidan conducted a restoration of his 20 m²structure. In an interview with ARIJ field team, Mr. Zeidan indicated that he used to stay in the house many times in the year, mainly when he cultivates his land, located nearby. See Photos

The demolished structure of local resident Jeries Fouad Mina Qasasfeh/Zeidan

The second demolished structure is owned by local resident Mr. Khader Judeh Jacob Khalilieh. The structure is 40 m²area and was built long time ago. Mr. Khalilieh indicated that he found a military demolition order on his adjacent agriculture land on September 5, 2011. He also added that he used the structure as a store for his agriculture equipments which he uses to cultivate his land. See Photos

The demolished structure of local resident Khader Judeh Jacob Khalilieh

The third demolished structure is an old house of 30 m²area. The house is owned by local resident ‘Abed Abu ‘Odeh who indicated that he didn’t receive any demolition order from the Israeli Army and that the Israeli bulldozers demolished the structure along with an agriculture well built few months ago, without prior notification. See Photos

Al-Makhrour Area: general glance

Al-Makhrour is an area located in the southwestern part of the city of Beit Jala north of Bethlehem Governorate. It is bordered by Al-Walajeh village as well as the illegal Israeli settlement of Har Gilo from the north, Al-Khader village from the south, Battir and Husan villages from the west, Beit Jala city from the east.

According to the latest revised route of the Segregation Wall published on the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s website on April 30, 2007; Al-Makhrour area along with Husan, Al -Walajeh, Nahhalin, Wadi Fukin, Al- Jab’a, Khallet ‘Afana, Khallet Al Balluta, and Beit Sakariya communities (pop exceeding +23000) will be set in an enclave and in isolation from the main cities and centers of life in Bethlehem governorate (Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour).

It is worth mentioning that the lands of Al-Makhrour are one of the most fertile agriculture lands in Bethlehem Governorate, where residents of the area are deprived by the Israeli Occupation authorities from their legitimate right to build and cultivate on their own lands as the area is classified as “C” which according to the Oslo II Interim Agreement of 1995 falls under the full Israeli control.

To Conclude

The Israeli Occupation Army is escalating its violations and aggressions against the Palestinian residents and their properties all over the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). These escalations include the demolition, confiscation and leveling of Palestinian properties and depriving them from their rights to live and expand on their own lands, while at the same time, allow for the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and outposts, the building of the Israeli Segregation Wall and continue to impose facts on the ground with the aim of eliminating any chance to reach a just and lasting peace agreement based on a two neighboring states for two nations living in peace which can only be maintained by achieving justice and legitimacy not by installing walls and checkpoints.

The demolition of the Palestinian houses and properties are illegal and contradicts with the international law rules and conventions:

Article 53 & 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 indicated that: Extensive destruction and appropriation of property not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, is a grave breach of the Convention.
Moreover Art. 23 of the Hague Convention of 1907 also provides: In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden to destroy or seize the enemy’s property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war.
Also under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of, December 10, 1948, Article 17 reads: ‘No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.’ Which means it bans Israel from destroying or confiscating the property of the Palestinians at any case.
In the year 2004 the United Nations Security Council called on Israel to stop demolition of Palestinian homes under Resolution No. 1544-(2004), the resolution states: ‘The Security Council called on Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly the obligation not to undertake home demolitions contrary to that law’.