The Segregation wall in Beit ‘Awwa town- Hebron governorate

Beit 'Awwa is located near the green line to the south west of Hebron city in the West Bank. Its lands extend as far as the green line. It has the population of about 8000 inhabitants.

Picture 1: Location map of Beit Awwa

During its meeting on September 2nd, 2004, the Israeli government decided to expedite the construction of the remaining stages of the Wall in the West Bank, including the Hebron district, a process already started last November around the settlements of Kiriyat Arba' and Kharsina.

From the beginning, it was quite obvious that the whole Wall plan has been aimed at building it over Palestinian lands occupied during the war of 1967, not over lands constituting parts of current Israel. Even, it wasn't agreed that the Wall had to be built on the green line itself.

This illegal expansionist policy is being fully implemented against the lands of Beit Awwa as the infrastructure works are under way over Palestinian lands affiliated to the town.

The total of about 600 dunums eventually have bee seized for the purpose of constructing the  Wall in Beit Awwa. All the targeted lands are cultivated with almost 3000 olive trees whose ages vary from 10 to 70 years. Some of these trees have been already uprooted.

Picture 2- The white dirt road to the left of the picture is the green line – the olive orchards to the right of
the road is the projected path of the Wall which is part of Beit Awwa owned lands-(Photo courtesy of LRC).

At the end of last July, the commander of the central command of the Israeli army issued a military order number 4/66/T stipulating the confiscation of these lands for the purpose of the Wall construction. The following is a list of affected farmers and land owners from Beit Awwa: 

The targeted lands are considered the main source of income for the people of Beit Awwa, particularly after the closure of the occupied Palestinian territories and the prevention of Palestinians from entering into Israel. Before the closure, the majority of Beit Awwa residents used to work in the merchandise of second hand furniture bought from Israel. Agriculture was then the second source of living in the town. 

Picture 3- The settlement of Sheqev just on the other side of the green line opposite to Beit Awwa town- Photo courtesy of LRC

Clashes and confrontations

Since the first day the Israeli bulldozers began to destroy the agricultural lands in Beit Awwa, the people of the town have embarked on daily protests and demonstrations against the Wall construction. The local people were supported by international and Israeli peace activists. The Israeli army and police protecting the construction works used excessive force to quell the protesters. They fired tear gas, sound bombs, rubber and plastic bullets at the protesters injuring a number of them. Police sticks and riffle butts were also used to beat the protesters who some of them were transferred to nearby clinics and hospitals.

Picture 4- Israeli soldiers attacking anti Wall protesters in Beit Awwa- Photo courtesy of Al – Quds newspaper.
 

The land owners and farmers extended an urgent call appealing to the international community represented by the UN bodies, governments as well as human rights and law organizations to work very quickly and pressure Israel to stop its aggression against the Palestinian people and their properties. They also urged all peace loving persons in the world to work for the fall of the Wall and halt Israel from constructing the remaining sections of this Wall of apartheid and separation.

Picture 5- Devastated olive orchards in Beit Awwa for the purpose of Wall construction- Photo courtesy of LRC

Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC