On August 6th, 2008 Israeli occupation forces submitted a military order number T/05/94 to the family of the ex-head mistress Ferial Abu Haykal who is currently living in Tel Rumeida neighborhood of the City of Hebron. The Order, titled “Amendment and Extension of Boundaries in Judea and Samaria 2008 – 5768”, called for seizing a 1.5 dunum piece of land in Tel Rumeida
Photo 1: The targeted piece of land
The Order also stated that the purpose of the confiscation is to use the land for “militarily purposes and to enlarge a military camp.” It is worth noting here that in 1991 Israeli occupation forces submitted a similar order which constipated 750 m2 that belonged to the heirs of Mr. Salem Al Zughayer. The land was used to establish atop it a military camp. The recent order calls for the expansion of the camp.
The confiscated lands lie in Parcel number 54. Its total area is 14 dunums of which 1.5 dunums will be confiscated in accordance with the new order. The confiscated lands belong to the heirs of Mr. Saleem Abu Haykal including:
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Mr. Jameel Rateeb Saleem Abu Haykal who passed away two years ago. His heirs include Hana’, Muna, Lina, Hani, Khaldoon and their mother.
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Mr. Abdel Aziz Rateb Saleem Abu Haykal.
Mrs. Feryal Abu Haykal indicated that part of Parcel 54 belongs to the Islamic Waqf as Mr. Sadeq Abu Haykal has donated it to the Waqf a while back.
Israeli soldiers who gave the order to Mrs. Abu Haykal told her that an official in the occupation army will come to the confiscated location as to mark its boundaries. Up to the time of writing this report the “official’ did not show up.
The targeted land is located on the slope of the Tel Rumeida hill. It is filled with old Roman olive tress some of which are hundreds of years old. An old cistern is also located in the land. Israeli authorities deny access or usage of the cistern by the Palestinians on the ground that the area is an “archeological site”. However, Israeli colonists have established a synagogue in the same area that is considered an “archeological site.”
Photo 2: Old olive trees in the confiscated lands in Tel Rumeida
In terms of the military camp that is set to be expanded, it was initially established in 1991 in the form of tents setup by both the colonists and occupation soldiers. In 1994 mobile caravans replaced the tents. Currently, there are 15 mobile caravans, a number of tents as well as a military tower in the camp.
Photo 3: The military tower and its observation cameras
The military camp has been a source of harassment and suffering for the Palestinians living in its vicinity. That is atop the agony caused by the colonists from the colony of Ramat Yashai which was established in Tel Rumeida in 1984. Israeli occupation soldiers have become accustomed to place the neighborhood of Tel Rumeida under curfew as well as arresting Palestinians in the neighborhood under lame excuses. Mrs. Abu Haykal indicated that she, her husband and two of her sons were arrested one time and ended up having to pay a fine of NIS 4,500 before being released. Moreover, the family is prevented from plowing their lands in the neighborhood without “permits.”
The owners of the land refused to abide by the military order. They wrote an objection letter to Hebron’s Governor, Hebron’s Municipality and the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee in addition to the Palestinian Liaison Office in which they have asked for legal help to avoid the implementation of the order. Attached is the military order and the map associated with it.
Tel Rumeida:
Tel Rumeida neighborhood is located south of the city of Hebron. It is considered a strategic hill that overlooks the heart of the city. It’s been a center for governing the city and its environs throughout history due to its location. It earned its name due to the presence of the ashes of pottery which was made there since time eternal.
Prepared by:
The Land Research Center
LRC
