Violation: building a colonial city.

Location: South Qalqilya.

Date: February 14 -2018.

Perpetrator: The Israeli occupation authorities.

Victims: People of the area.

Description:

The Israeli minister of Interior “Areh Derie” revealed new master plan to establish a colonial Israeli city south Qalqilya governorate. The project will annex (Shaare Tikva, Etz Frayim and Elkana) as a first stage then annexing “Oranit” later.

Photos 1-4: Israeli settlements in Qalqilya lands

This scheme is a great threaten to Palestinian existence in the area, this city will devour thousands of agricultural dunums from : Azun, Bein Amin, Hebla, Seneeia, Izbet Salman, Asla , An-Nabi Elias from Qalqilya governorate in addition to Az-Zawiya and Masha from Salfit governorate.

Jamal Hamad the responsible of Colonization file in Salfit governorate told LRC observer: “This colonial project will devour hundreds of agricultural dunums and artesian wells that are private properties of Palestinian farmers. Nevertheless, this city will increase Israeli domination in west bank”

The Apartheid wall implanted in 2002 in Qalqilya lands isolated vast agricultural areas, Palestinian owners were denied accessing to the area, and it became a reserve for colonial expansion. It is reported that this area is now going under leveling for new projects.

Ghassan Daghlas  the responsible of Colonization file north West Bank asserted that there is an Israeli Master plan to Judaize the West Bank by establishing colonial cities in strategical locations, Ariel settlement was transformed into a city, Same to (Shaar Tikva, Etz Frayim , Elkana and Oranit)  south Qalqilya, There is also a future city plan for (Eli , Shilo, Shevout Rahil and Adei Ad) south Nablus, and Ma’ali Adummim settlements north Jerusalem, the project ends in the south annexing “Gosh Etzion” settlements north Hebron.

About the settlements:

About Etz Frayim:

“Etz Frayim” settlement is mostly built over Masha and Seneria lands, it has an area of 650 dunums and inhabited by 617 settlers, the settlement is behind the Apartheid wall.

About Elkana:

Elkana was established in 1977 over the ruins of a Jordanian military camp; it has been considered as a source of destruction and the launching point of many attacks against the Palestinians.

The colony was built near the Palestinian village of Mas-ha which lost over 5000 dunums of its lands due to the construction of the annexation and expansion wall. Citizens lost their source of income after losing their fruitful lands as a result.

Elkana expanded over the years to reach over 1700 dunums in area; the colony is two parts, Elkana A and Elkana B with plans ongoing to merge both parts. In addition to that, there are several outposts built in the two colonies with developmental plans for the infrastructure and expansion to be carried out in the area.

 Shaar Tikva has an area of (1130.5) dunums , 283 of them were confiscated from Masha lands.

About Oranit:

The colony was established on confiscated lands from the villages of Azzun Atmah and Izbat Salman in 1983. With a total area of 1,134 dunums, of which 1,107 dunums are the colony’s built-up area, Oranit populates around 5316 colonists until 2006.

Legal Feedback:

The constringing policy  by the Israeli occupation authorities   of confiscating Palestinian lands in order to  build illegal random outposts and settlements can only be regarded as a violation of all  international conventions  and agreements like:

The Geneva Fourth convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in the times of war:

Security council resolution 242 year 1967:   Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict; and  Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territoial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force.

Security council resolution 446 year 1979:   Determines that the policy and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East;

Security council resolution   452 year 1979: the resolution once again denounced Israel’s settlement activities  in territories occupied in 1976 including (East) Jerusalem, this activity constituting a violation of the Fourth Geneva convention, and called on Israel to cease planning and construction of settlements

Security council resolution 465 year 1980: calls to dismantle the existing settlements and in particular to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem; Calls upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connexion with settlements in the occupied territories;

Security council resolution 478 year 1980:  Censures in the strongest terms the enactment by Israel of the “basic law” on Jerusalem and the refusal to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions,Those States that have established diplomatic missions at Jerusalem to withdraw such missions from the Holy City.