Colonists of Shavot Rahil Uproot 60 Olive Trees of Qaruit Lands – Nablus Governorate

Violation: Israeli colonists from the colony of Shavot Rahil uproot 60 olive trees of Qaruit lnads.

Location: The area of Al Sarara west of the village of Qaruit.

Date: February 7, 2012.

 

The village of Qaruit is located east of the city of Nablus. Its residents have chosen the olive tree as a symbol of their resistance to the Israeli occupation which has increased its campaign against the village throughout the years. Steps taken in the campaign included the closure of the village’s southern entrance which connects the villages to the By Pass Road 60 in addition to the land grab of the village’s southern and western lands for the benefit of the colonies of Shavot Rahil, Eili and Kida. 

 

As part of their resistance to the plans of the occupation, the residents of the village planted a couple of weeks ago 60 olive trees in an area known as Al Sarara located near the closed southern entrance of the village. The planting is a part of continuous effort by the residents to assert their ownership to the land which manifests itself in a weekly demonstration since the year 2000 calling for the opening of the southern entrance. The closure has caused continuous agony for the residents of the village as they are currently obliged to drive 22 kilometers to reach the same point they would have if the southern entrance was open. 

 

 

In the evening hours of Tuesday February 7^th, 2012, colonist of Shavot Rahil, raided the area of Al Sarara and uprooted the 60 trees planted earlier by the Qaruit villagers. It has to be stated that such violation was the first time that it happened as the colonists rampage freely in the area under the protection of the occupation forces causing great damage to the Palestinians and their property.

 

 

 

 

The village of Qauit is located 26 kilometers south of the city of Nablus and 28 kilometers north of the city of Ramallah. Three colonies as well as four outposts surround the village of all directions; the colony of Shilo surrounds the village from the south while the colony of Eli borders the village from its western direction. The colony of Hioval Rahil completes the encirclement of the village as it is located on its southeastern direction.

 

The total area of the village is about 20,000 dunums of which only 394 dunums are its built-up area. Israeli colonies have taken possession of more than 68% of the villages’ lands. Colonists living in these colonies have been always a source of disturbance and agony for the Palestinians of Qaruit especially during the olive harvest season when teams of colonists raise havoc in the village. That is in addition to the frequent attempts by the Israeli occupation forces to confiscate additional lands especially in the western and southern parts of the village.