Demolishing a Cistern in Qizon – Hebron

Violation: demolishing a cistern in Qizon.

Date: April 23, 2012.

Perpetrators: the Israeli Occupation Civil Administration.

Victim: Mohammad al Karaki.

Details:

The war on Palestinian water sources is unstoppable; on April 23, 2012, the Israeli Occupation Authorities demolished a water cistern in Qizon, northern Hebron.

Picture 1-4: demolished and buried

Israeli troops accompanied by a dozer and a jackhammer broke into the iron gate leading to Mohammad’s cistern; the jackhammer destroyed the cistern before the dozer completely buried it, rendering water unusable.

Picture 5-6: plowings in the targeted plot

The Israeli Occupation Authorities bury the cisterns they demolish to make them unusable. Ihsan al Karaki (son of the owner) pointed that the cistern was built in 2005; soon afterwards, they ordered the stoppage of any construction till they receive a construction permit.

They objected to the order through Haitham al Qadi, an attorney of law; however, they rejected the permit application and issued a demolition order in 2012. The cistern was 200 m3 in volume and construction cost around 100,000 ILS. It was used to irrigate a 3-dunum-field planted with grapes and prunes. 25 people used to benefit from the income generated by the field.

The owner said that the trees are in danger due to the lack of water and said that the Israelis intend to destroy the agricultural sector in Palestine. They refused to grant him a permit for the cistern despite being located in the heart of a residential quarter, Qizon, and away from any colony or bypass.

The Israeli Occupation Authorities bury the cisterns they demolish to make them unusable. Ihsan al Karaki (son of the owner) pointed that the cistern was built in 2005; soon afterwards, they ordered the stoppage of any construction till they receive a construction permit. They objected to the order through Haitham al Qadi, an attorney of law; however, they rejected the permit application and issued a demolition order in 2012. The cistern was 200 m3 in volume and construction cost around 100,000 ILS. It was used to irrigate a 3-dunum-field planted with grapes and prunes. 25 people used to benefit from the income generated by the field. The owner said that the trees are in danger due to the lack of water and said that the Israelis intend to destroy the agricultural sector in Palestine. They refused to grant him a permit for the cistern despite being located in the heart of a residential quarter, Qizon, and away from any colony or bypass.

Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC