On July 25, 2017, a group of fanatic colonists broke into Abu Rajab family building in the Old City of Hebron and took over the second and third floors. Israeli flags were risen at the top of the building to provoke Palestinian neighbors.

It should be noted that around fifty colonists accompanied and protected by Israel Police and army troops broke into the building under the claim that the colonists had already bought the second and third floors from the owners. In reality, the owners  of the building denied the selling act of the house.

When taking over the building, colonists expelled, by force, the residents of the first floor, which are the family of Ali Abu Rajab. Noteworthy, Ali and his family are the only family residing the building where others living in the second and third floors left while ago.

Photos 1+2: view of the taken over house

 

Now, the family of Ali Abu Rajab is not allowed to enter their house from the main entrance since the location became a closed military area by the army. The family is only allowed in to their residence through a backdoor, which is also adjacent to other houses taken over by colonists. This means that the family of Abu Rajab will be constantly harassed by the military and the fanatics in the area.

Facts about case:

The case goes back to March 29, 2012. It is when colonists broke into Abu Rajab family residence in Hebron and took it over on the claim that they bought it from owners. At time, colonists called the house the " Machpelah residence".

Hebron Rehabilitation Committee filed a lawsuit against colonists and managed to obtain an eviction order on April 04, 2012. They were evicted by the Israeli military after failing to produce documents proving they had bought the building. Since then, the settlers have put forward documents claiming ownership, but the Abu Rajab family say they are forged.

Israeli officials are reportedly reviewing the documents as they consider how to proceed.

 

Located in the center of Hebron — one of the largest cities in the occupied West Bank — the Old City was divided into Palestinian and Israeli-controlled areas, known as H1 and H2, following the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre.

Some 800 notoriously aggressive Israeli settlers now live under the protection of the Israeli military in the Old City, surrounded by more than 30,000 Palestinians.

Palestinian residents of the Old City face a large Israeli military presence on a daily basis, with at least 20 checkpoints set up at the entrances of many streets, as well as the entrance of the Ibrahimi Mosque itself.

Settlers roam freely in the area of Hebron which is under full Israeli military control, while Palestinians are subjected to severe movement restrictions, including segregated roads, and violence and harassment by soldiers and settlers alike.

It is believed that the attacking colonists intend to link Hebron colonies to each other through the latest building they took over. The six colonies are:

• Gutnech outpost: it is founded in the periphery of the Abraham Mosque
• Abrah Aveno outpost
• Beit Hadasa outpost
• Beit Romano outpost
• Beit Hashisha outpost
• Ramti Shai outpost

Photos 3-5: the building after being taken over

Photos 6+7: colonists celebrations after taking over the building

 

Photos 8+9: general view of the targeted location

Reportedly, the house of Abu Rajab is considered an obstacle in face of an Israeli plan to link all outposts and colonies in the area of Old City in Hebron. This is why the work to take over the house is so intense and supported by the government.

Nature of the structure:

It is reported that the house is a three story building; the first is storages where the second and thirds are residential apartments. It was build in the eighties with a total area of 150m², the house is founded on a parcel of land planted with olive trees.

 

Prepared by
 The Land Research Center
LRC