The Israeli Supreme Court Legalizes Stone Quarrying in the West Bank

Since the Occupation of the West Bank in 1967; and after the conquest of land, the Israelis have been plotting and scheming to take over the natural resources in Palestine as well as depriving the locals from their basic rights. After the 6-day-war, the Israelis spread their geologists all around the West Bank in an attempt to find and exploit the available natural resources.

 

For that sake, the Israeli imposed several laws and legislations which prohibit the Palestinians from using their lands and forbid the extraction of natural resources including water. Such measures are indeed an explicit violation of the humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. Through the process, the Israelis built a number of quarries, set water extraction facilities, built farms, etc.

 

By the end of 2011, the Israeli Supreme Court issued an order allowing the Israeli-owned quarries to continue their operations in the West Bank while preventing setting new facilities.

 

The case was raised when a number of humanitarian agencies called for the closure of these quarries while claiming that there are illegal according to international law. 2 years later, the Court decided that these quarries are vital source of income and raw materials for the so-called State of Israel.

 

The Israeli Court Order completely contradicts with the Hague Conventions of 1907; it exposes the Israelis lies and claims while proving that their measures serve only their interest and nothing in the interest of the people. 94 % of these quarries production is transported in into Israel to cover 25 % of the raw materials need.

Damage to the biodiversity and spread of diseases:

These quarries damaged the biodiversity in the West Bank; digging and quarrying threatens many species of extinction.  Mr. Banan al Sheikh, an Instructor in Jerusalem University – Abu Dis, stated to an LRC observer: ‘the vegetation cover in many areas around the West Bank is in danger due to the Israeli diggings which resulted in modifications in the soil texture as well as the extinction of many species. This alerts for an environmental catastrophe.‘ These quarries, which are located close to Palestinian residential communities, caused the spread of respiratory system diseases, e.g. Asthma, as a result of the spread of dust.