Violation: confiscating an irrigation network.
Date: May 29, 2012.
Perpetrators: the Israeli Occupation Authorities and the Israeli Water Company.
Victims: farmers of Jaber family.
Details:
On May 29, 2012, an Israeli force accompanied by Mikrot (the Israeli Water Company) personals broke into Al Baq’a before pulling out irrigation pipes and loading them into trucks.
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Picture 1-2: sabotage
The villagers pointed that the soldiers pulled the irrigation pipes from between the plants. The soldiers also confiscated two water pumps and a spraying device.
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Picture 3-6: cut pipes
It must be noted that a similar operation took place on May 21, 2012 were irrigation pipes were confiscated and some trees and plants were stepped over.
Table: victims:
No. | Victim | Area (dunum) | Plants | remarks |
1 | Shadi Jaber | 1.5 | squash | Second time this month |
2 | Rashed Jaber | 1 | Squash | Second time this month |
3 | Miri Jaber | 1 | Squash | Confiscating water pipes and pumps |
3 | Grapes | Cutting irrigation network | ||
4 | Nimer Jaber | 2 | Ready-to-use | Confiscating irrigation network |
5 | Izz al din al Rajabi | 2 | Ready-to-use | Confiscating irrigation network |
6 | ‘Awwad Jaber | 2 | Squash | Confiscating irrigation network |
7 | Badwan al Rajabi | 2 | Pumpkin | Confiscating irrigation network |
8 | Ismael al Rajabi | 2 | Squash | Confiscating irrigation network |
9 | Samir al Rajabi | 5 | Cauliflower | Confiscating irrigation network |
10 | Hamza Jaber | 1 | Beans | Confiscating irrigation network |
22.5 |
The locals complained about the Israeli measures and their losses; they also complained about the deterioration of the tomato season due to the confiscation of irrigation networks and destruction of cisterns. Tomato planting almost disappeared from an area once famous of it.
Hasan Jaber said that he planted 12000 tomato seedlings in 2012 and 8000 in 2011; however, he did not plant any this year because of fears of Israeli attacks.
Nimer Jaber said that he planted 10000 seedling two years ago; but he had to reduce the number to half because of the Israeli confiscation of the irrigation network and the partial destruction of the cistern. This year, following the complete destruction of the pool, he further reduced the number to one thousand.
On the other hand, Imad Sh’eb, a reputable tomato farmer who used to plant around 30,000 a year had to reduce the number to 10000 last year and only 3000 this year for the same reasons. Tomato production has reached critical levels; this will result in shortage and increased prices for one of the most in-demand items in the market.
