On Wednesday, 23rd of November, 2005, an Israeli army officer handed over copies of a new military order signed by the commander of the Israeli army in the West Bank, general Ya'ir Neve, stipulating the closure of more than 60 commercial stores and shops along the road running between Jaber quarter, Kiriyat Arba' settlement and 'prayers' road' in the eastern part of Hebron city.
The order was issued in accordance with the security instructions for 'Judea and Samaria' number (378) 1970-5733. The road is about 2 km long and links between the Ibrahimi mosque and Kiriayt Arba' settlement. Palestinian car movement was completely prohibited on this road unless a special passing permit was obtained from the Israeli military. Although the military order carries the date of November 6th, 2005, it was circulated only on November 23rd to minimize the chance for objection by affected Palestinians who have got only one week before ultimatum. See photo 1 & 2
Copy of military order and it's attached map showing the path of the road in red line
According to the military order, the road is going to be used only by the Israeli settlers accessing this road either on foot or with their cars in addition to the Israeli army vehicles. The 60 targeted shops are owned by many Palestinian families in the city, including, in addition to the following names, the families of Jaber, Ar Rajabi, Burqan and Askafi:
1. Abdul Hafiz Yuins Da'na.
2. Khalwi Jad Allah Al Ja'bari.
3. Usama Abdul Ghani Abu Sharkh.
4. Mohammed Fathi Al Ja'bari.
5. Naser Asa'ad Baradi'i.
6. Mohammed Juma'a Al Ja'bari.
7. Fayez Abu Safiya.
8. Nidal Sa'di Al Ja'bari.
9. Mohammed Judi Al Ja'bari.
10. Fathi Jaber Al Ja'bari.
11. Rafiq Fahid Muhana.
12. Ramadan Tawfiq Al Qimari
13. Juma'a Abdul Azim Al Ja'bari, see photo 3
A row of the targeted stores in Ar Ras road ' prayers road' targeted for
closure – Photo courtesy of LRC ) )
LRC field workers have conducted many interviews with shop owners who described the decision to close their shops and prevent their movement on this road as an arbitrary and reprisal one with the aim to dismiss hundreds of Palestinian families far away from the settlement of Kiryat Arba' to make room for further settlement expansion and minimization of the Palestinian life in this particular area.
Mr. Usama Abdul Ghani Abu Sharkh, 42 years old, owner of carpentry workshop and head of family of 7 members, gave the following account to LRC field worker: 'We received the military order last Wednesday, November 23rd, 2005 after a delay of 17 days from the date of issuance. Before the current Intifada, 6 people used to work in my carpentry shop here. Now, there is only one person because of continuous closure, curfew and decline of work. The decision to close my shop means economic death for me and my family since we have no other source of livelihood. Nevertheless, we are determined to stay here and we have no plans, whatsoever, to leave our home and quarter'. See photo 4: Mr. Usama Abu Sharkh working inside his carpentry workshop targeted for closure- Photo courtesy of LRC).).
Mr. Juma'a Abdul Azim Al Ja'bari, owner of blacksmithing shop, and head of family of 8 members, told LRC field worker the following: 'We were expecting ease of tension and lifting of closure on our quarter and road as a result of prevailing stagnation and quiet during the past two years. On the contrary, we were surprised by the new military order to close our shops and only road. This measure, in fact, further complicates our daily life and increase hatred in the area'. See photo 5: Mr. Juma'a Al Ja'bari standing inside his blacksmithing shop targeted for closure- Photo courtesy of LRC). : Mr. Juma'a Al Ja'bari standing inside his blacksmithing shop targeted for closure- Photo courtesy of
All the affected Palestinian families have presented letters of objections to the Israeli legal advisor of the West Bank against the aforementioned military order. The objections were presented through the legal department affiliated to Hebron Rehabilitation Committee. See photo 6
A copy of the objection letter directed to the West Bank's legal advisor)
Colonists' violence
Two days after the handing over of the military order, thousands of Israeli right wing settlers poured into the city of Hebron on the so-called anniversary of 'commemorating Mrs. Sara, the wife of Abraham'. Marching settlers threw stones and empty bottles at Palestinian houses along the 'prayers road' on their way back and forth to the Ibrahimi mosque. Palestinian school pupils were chased and prevented from walking in the 'prayers road' under the claim that it is only for exclusive Jewish use. A Palestinian resident of the area has described this road as 'a nightmare road' because ever since it's opening, Israeli settlers have been attacking Palestinian people and property under full protection of the Israeli army. This ongoing behavior has caused far reaching psychological and physical damage on Palestinian residents of the area, particularly, children and school pupils as well as inflicting material damage to properties. See photo 7: :
A section of Ar Ras road ' prayers' road and the colony of Kiriyat Araba'a is
seen to the right of the picture- Photo courtesy of LRC)
Additional numbers of Israeli soldiers and security men were deployed in quite many places of the old city on this anniversary to protect the settlers. The Israeli way of 'prayer and commemoration' confined thousands of Palestinians to their homes by army barricades, checkpoints, flying checkpoints and moving patrols turning their life to a virtual standstill. See Photo 8: Another set of shops targeted for closure in Ar Ras road- Photo courtesy of LRC)
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
