The Israeli Occupation Forces install metal gate at the entrance of Bethlehem village of Janata

The Israeli Occupation Forces install metal gate at the entrance of Bethlehem village of Janata

Violation: setting up a metal gate

Location: Janata village- Bethlehem governorate

Date: July 27, 2017

Perpetrators: the Israeli Occupation Forces

Victims: residents of the village

Details:

On July 27, 2017, the Israeli Occupation Forces set up a metal gate at the eastern entrance of Janata village without any prior notice. The occupation justified the closure on the claim of  "security purposes".

Reportedly,  the eastern entrance of the village is considered a main road and a linking point between neighboring villages and cities. Noteworthy, the road saves time for travelers but residents now have to take a substitute road that is longer and more fatiguing.

It should be noted that the road got closed without any prior notice, knowing that the village is under constant attacks and targeting.

Photos 1-2:the metal gate at the eastern entrance

About Janata:

4.5km to the south of Bethlehem governorate, Janata is edged by Khallet Hamad and Hindaza from the north, Khallet AL-Haddad from the west, AL-Freidis and Jib Adthib from the east and Tuqu', ALdavid and Nikodim colonies from the south.

The village populates 6983 inhabitants (census of 2014). It has a total area of 11887 dunums, of which 90 dunums are built-up area.

Colonies founded in the area confiscated around 281 dunums of the village's lands. Aldavid looted 13 dunums and Nikodim seized 118 dunums.

The classifications of Janata lands according to Oslo Accords:

  • 1233 dunums are classified as area "A"
  • 3312 dunums are classified as area "B"
  • 6212 dunums are classified as area "C"
  • 1130 dunums are classified as "Natural Reserves"

Land Research Center sees that the policy of roads closures as a collective punishment to limit down Palestinians' movement.

International conventions and laws regarding freedom of movement which Israel unabatedly violates:

  • Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”.
  • Article 5: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.
  • Article 9: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile”.
  • Article 13: Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

  • Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, no one shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation.”
  • Article 9: “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.

Prepared by
 The Land Research Center
LRC