Issuing stop-work orders against Palestinian structures in Al ‘Aqaba village in Tubas Governorate.

Violation: issuing stop-work orders against Palestinian structures.

Location: Al ‘Aqaba – Tubas.

Date: January 25, 2012.

Perpetrators: Israeli Occupation Civil Administration – the higher Organization Council.

Victims: various Palestinian families.

 

Al ‘Aqaba has become a symbol of the Palestinian struggle; despite the fact that 90 % of the village houses were either demolished or awaiting demolition, signs of development can be seen all around the village. A school, a mosque, a kindergarten, a women’s club, and new roads were recently added. The Israelis responded by turning the village into a training ground for its Army which resulted in the death and injury of tens of residents. Nevertheless, the locals managed to try the Army and succeeded to obtain a removal order for the military encampment near the village from the Israeli Supreme Court; the encampment was evacuated in 2006.

 

On January 25, 2012, the Israeli so-called Inspection and Organization Committee issued stop-work orders targeting 12 Palestinian families, inhabitants of Al ‘Aqaba (91 people including 41 children) on the pretext of failure to acquire construction permits in an area classified ‘C’ according to Oslo Agreement. 17 structures are now endangered of demolitions, 5 of them are residential. 4 families received orders for the first time while others received them for second or third time. The orders gave some families 3 days to apply for construction permits; other families were given a respite till February 19.

 

 

It must be noted that 8 other orders were handed on January 19, 2012. The Israeli Occupation Authorities do not recognize Al Aqaba or any other Palestinian Community in the Jordan Valley area; all of these villages lack an organizational structure.

 

Al Aqaba is a simple village; for decades, its inhabitants relied on herding and agriculture in their living while living in simple, primitive residences. The village is located 7 km to the east of Tubas and occupies a total area of 3500 dunums.