On May 9, 2008 the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) handed Palestinian residents from Al- Khader village, west of the city of Bethlehem, four military orders notifying them that their houses will be demolished under the pretext of being unlicensed. Furthermore, the Municipality of Al Khader also received a fifth military order to demolish the 125 cubic meter water tank which was built within a project financed by the 'Palestinian Hydrology Group' and includes 1500 meters of piping in order to satisfy the village's virtual need of water. See Map 1
Map 1: Location of threatened housein Al Khader Village
Map 2: A closer look to the location of the threatened house
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The first threatened house is owned by Mr. Mohammad Suleiman Salah. The 150 m2 house was demolished by the Israeli forces during the second Palestinian Intifada and populated by 10 people. The military order holding # 142156.
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The second threatened building is owned by Mr. Ahmad Abu Al- Hatab Musa and his sons. Mr. Abu Al Hatab building in consists from five stories with an area of more than 500 m2 and a shelter of 15 people. The military order holding # 6660.
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The third threatened house is owned by the resident Mr. Ahmad Mohammad Ahmad Musa which is built on a 120 m2 peace of land. It is worth mentioning that the house is populated by 5 peoples. The military order holding # 6649.
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The fourth threatened house is owned by the resident 'Ali Salim Musa. When the house will be demolished by the Israeli forces 18 people will be homeless. The military order holding # 142155.
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The fifth military order is targeting the a 125 cubic meter water tank which was built within a project executed in the village, includes installing 1500 meters of piping in order to satisfy the village's virtual need of water. The military order holding # 142153.
To Conclude
The Israeli aggressive violations in the occupied Territory are clearly contradict with the International law rules and breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention since its states that:
Article 53 provided that: Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations
Also Article 147 of the same Convention indicated that: Extensive destruction and appropriation of property not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly. is a grave breach of the Convention.
Moreover and under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of, December 10, 1948, Article 17 reads: 'No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.' Which means it bans Israel from destroying or confiscating the property of the Palestinians at any case.
Prepared by
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
