Excavation Works Carried Out by the Occupation Antiquity Authorities in Kisan village/ Bethlehem

• Violation: Excavation works in the village of Kisan.
• Location: Dhaher Al- Mizrab area – Kisan Village / Bethlehem Governorate.
• Date: February 8^th 2021.
• Perpetrators: the occupation authorities.
• Victims:  members of the Ebayat family.

Description:

Monday, February 8th 2021, the Israeli occupation Antiquity authorities carried out excavation works in the  Dhaher al-Mizrab area of ​​the Kisan village ,on  lands owned by members of the Abayat family.

The target area is located near the colony of “Ibei Nahal”, which is built on the lands of the villages of Kisan and  Rashaida.

Noteworthy, the occupation authorities seek to seize large areas of land in order to expand their illegal colonies on the village lands.  In the meanwhile, colonists, under the protection of the occupation forces, continue to threaten the residents and deprive them of their main source of income as herders, through closing postures.

The people of the village also face many obstacles before obtaining a building permit, even within populated areas, and they are constantly targeted in Halt of Work notices on the pretext of building without a license. All these illegal measures are taken to protect colonists and allow them to expand their colonies.

It must be mentioned that colonists in Kisan area build their houses in a way that resemble Palestinian archeological style, in order to deceive visitors and tourists.

Kisan:

Located 18km south of Bethlehem, Kisan village is surrounded by Tuqu’ (north), Sa’ir (west), the Dead Sea (east), Arab ar Rashayda/ Sa’ir/ Al Buweib (south). Kisan has a population of 560 people (2017 census). It has a total area of 133,278 dunums- 88,7 of which are built-up area. The Israeli occupation confiscated 2201 dunums of Kisan lands to build the following colonies:

Maale Amos which was built in 1981 and devoured 320dunums of Kisan. It is inhabited by 299 colonists.

Mizpe Shalem which was built in 1971 and confiscated 396 dunums. 193 colonists live in that colony.

Mizpe Shalem B which was built in 1980 and stole 58 dunums.

Ibei Hanachal outpost which confiscated 166 dunums of Kisan.

Israeli Bypass road number 90 devoured more than 1000 dunums.

According to Oslo Accords, 11% of Kisan is considered nature reserve while 40% is under Area B (PA is in charge of civil matters with Israel responsible for security). However, most of the village lands (49%) is under Area C (Israel maintains full security and administrative control). Here are the areas in dunums:

Land considered natural preserve (24.480) dunums

Area B (88.5) dunums

Area C (108.455) dunum