Betar Illit colonists torch 60 trees in Bethlehem village of Husan

October 10, 2016

Violation: setting trees on fire

Location: Husan village- Bethlehem

Date: October 10, 2016

Perpetrators: Betar Illit colonists

Victims: Mohammad Hamamrah

Details:

A group of colonists from Betar Illit attacked on October 10, 2016 some lands from Husan village, west Bethlehem governorate. The attacked plot is of 5 dunums in area and is adjacent to Betar Illit colony that is founded on confiscated lands from Bethlehem villages of Husan, Wad Fukin and Nahhalin.

It should be marked that the colonists set fire to the five dunum plot, causing 50 olive trees and 10 almond trees to burn down.

A member of Husan village council, Rami Hamamrah, told Land Research Center the following:

" Colonists intended to burn down the trees in synchronization with the harvesting season"

The affected person also told the following for Land Research Center:

" Some people phone called me and informed me of the fire in the plot. I immediately headed to the plot with some neighbors to extinguish the fire. Colonists intended to cause the fire during the harvesting season"

It should be also marked that Israeli fire brigades didn’t participate in extinguishing the fire despite being present in the area. Only Palestinian farmers and Palestine fire brigade worked hard to control the fire.

Citizen Mohammad Abdelkarim told Land Research Center the following:

" Betar Illit colonists constantly attack our lands but we will always be here to protect our properties "

The following table shows information about the affected:

The affected citizen	Family	Minors
Mohammad Hamamrah	8	2

Photos 1-2: the burnt down trees

About Husan:

Husan is 10 km west of Bethlehem and is edged with Wadi Fukin (west) Nahhalin (south), Wadi Rahall (east), and Battir (north).

It has a total area of 7360 dunums, 801 of which are built-up area. The Israeli occupation confiscated 2759 dunums to build Betar Illit and Hadar Betar colonies. Besides, bypass number '375 devoured 180 dunums.

The Apartheid Wall destroyed 124 dunums of Husan lands and isolated 150 dunums.

According to the 2007 statistics, the village population is 5551 people.

According to Oslo Accords, 14% of Husan is under Area B (PA is in charge of civil matters with Israel responsible for security). However, most of the village lands (86%) is under Area C (Israel maintains full security and administrative control). Here are the area in dunums: