A couple of kilometers Northwest of Ramallah lay the Palestinian villages of Al Janiya (828 inhabitants), El Mazra'a El Qibliya (3003 inhabitants), and Ein Qiniya (571 inhabitants). These communities depend mainly on agriculture and livestock for living. They had large stretches of land that they used to cultivated and live off. But after the Israeli occupation in 1967 those villages endured many hardships; most damaging of those was the land confiscations.
Israel confiscated their land to make way for the building of Jewish settlements. It first started out with Dolev settlement between Al Janiya and Ein Qiniya (see photo). Then a couple of caravans were installed north of it. That new part came to be known as Talmon settlement. Talmon in turn established itself with a group of settlements called Talmon B and Talmon C (see photo). The total population of these settlements is now at 1750. Of course, Israel confiscates the land by claiming that it is ''State land'' and that it is going to be allocated for public use. However, this ''public'' use comes only to the benefit of the Jewish population of the State of Israel while the Arabs, the original owners of the land, watch their possessions being taken away from them little by little. ). The total population of these settlements is now at 1750. Of course, Israel confiscates the land by claiming that it is ''State land'' and that it is going to be allocated for public use. However, this ''public'' use comes only to the benefit of the Jewish population of the State of Israel while the Arabs, the original owners of the land, watch their possessions being taken away from them little by little.
Lately, these settlements have expanded and more hilltops have been seized. As can be seen from the map, two more sites have been established northeast of Talmon. The area of these settlements has almost doubled by growing from a total of 910 dunums in 1997 to 1661 dunums in 1999. And the outpost East of Talmon, which consisted of a water tank and several caravans, now has concrete structures (see photo). Moreover, the settlers of Dolev have used the confiscated land to establish 288 dunums of vineyards. At the interchange leading to Dolev and Talmon a new bypass road is being built. It is supposed to link those two settlements with the northern entrance of Jerusalem (). Moreover, the settlers of Dolev have used the confiscated land to establish 288 dunums of vineyards. At the interchange leading to Dolev and Talmon a new bypass road is being built. It is supposed to link those two settlements with the northern entrance of Jerusalem (see map).
And last but not least, the valley lying between Dolev and Talmon is now threatened with expropriation. The Israeli authorities told the villagers to stay away from the valley because it is being reserved for the development of those two settlements. By that, Al Janiya village becomes encircled from three sides; south, north and east with no outlet from the west (see map).
The encroachment of Israeli settlements on Palestinian villages is a growing danger that threatens the development of Palestinian communities. Not only does it deprive them of valuable agricultural and grazing lands but it also puts physical barriers to their natural growth and disconnects them from each other. According to international law ALL Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are illegal. The fact that Israel continues, and even accelerates, its expansion of settlements contradicts its alleged commitment to peace.
Prepared by:
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
