A New Wave of Demolitions in Khirbet al Taweel in Nablus Government

Violation: The demolition of a brux and an animal pen.

Location: Khirbet Al Taweel – Nablus Governorate.

Date: February 14, 2012.

Victims: Mr. Rafi’ Abdullah Abdel Ghani Bani Jami’.

 

“There is no other place to move to. What do they want from me and my children? Where will I go now?. Everywhere I go I find them in front of me. Is my house a threat to the security of the State of Israel?” with these words, Mr. Rafi’ Abdullah Abdel Ghani Bani Jami’ from Khirbet Al Taweel (located east of Aqraba town) described his devastation and frustration as he was witnessing the Israeli bulldozers level his humble wooden house to the ground. He always wanted for this “house” to shelter his 9-member family (7 of which are children) from the heat of the summer and the coldness of the winter. Yet, it seems that Israeli occupation soldiers did not care about the fate of the family after their only refuge is demolished. Nothing was saved, even the simple kitchen did not escape the jaws of the Israeli bulldozer.

 

The sheep did not fair any better as the only animal pen that sheltered them was targeted by the demolition force. Even their fodder was not spared as Israeli soldiers deliberately mixed it with the sand rendering its useless for animal consumption. The sheep became shelter-less also as did their owners.

 

As to add insult to injury, Israeli occupation forces stole the agricultural tractor owned by Mr. Rafi’ which he used to use in transporting water for his children and sheep. The soldiers charged him NIS 3,000 to get it back as a fine for holding it !!!!

Mr. Yousef Barriya, a human rights activist in the area of Aqraba, indicated the following for the Land Research Center (LRC)’s field researcher:Lately there has been a deliberate targeting of the Palestinian presence on Khirbet al Taweel; farmers are being prevented from ploughing their lands under the threat of being killed for the mere reason of accessing and using their lands. What happened today with Mr. Rafi’ is only a small episode in a chain of events carried out by Israeli occupation forces and colonists in Khirbet Al Taweel targeting ALL Palestinian families in the area. The declared goal is to rid the Khirbet of its original inhabitants.

On the side of Khirbet Al Taweel rests the colony of Jettit where colonists enjoy all of the luxuries and services including housing, accommodations, agricultural loans, education and water which reflects the racism inherited in the Israeli occupation.

 

It has to be mentioned that Khirbet Al Taweel has always been known as the place of great greenery and the bounty of grazing lands due to its perfect climate which made it the preferred destination of Palestinian herders from the other areas of the West Bank. Yet, since 1967, the Palestinian Bedouins living in the area got engaged on daily basis with a tough struggle with the Israeli occupation forces aiming to confiscate the lands to be used for further colonial expansion. The colony of Jettit was one of the first colonies in the Jordan Valley as it was established in the early 1970s. The continued expansion of the colony is forming an increasing danger to the livelihood of the Palestinians living nearby. However, the Palestinians of Khirbet Al Taweel insist to stay on their land in spite of the occupation and despite all of the obstacles placed by its forces.  

    

The occupation forces have committed a great violation of the right of the Bani Jami’s to adequate housing and the right to live in dignity. It also violated the 4^th Geneva Convention’s Article 53 which dictates that “Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations”. Clearly, the house of Mr. Rafi’ is no “threat” to the security of the State of Israel.