Violation: Cutting down olive plants
Date: 05/05/2014
Location: Ras Karkar- Ramallah governorate
Perpetrators: Colonists of Talmon
Victims: Abdul Latif Samhan and Azmi Samhan
Details:
For the second time in less than one month, Ras Karkar- northeast of Ramallah- was a target for the colonists of Talmon who cut down and eventually destroyed 51 olive seedlings aged 5.
Colonists of 'Talmon', founded on Ras Karkar lands, had attacked Samhans on April 19 when they damaged 59 olive seedlings the two farmers planted in a bid to protect their land from being seized for colonial activities.
Pictures 1-3: The destroyed seedlings
It is worth mentioning that the attacked area is known as "Be'er 'Aner", 1.5km away from the colony of Talmon and 3km away from the master plan of Ras Karkar
The area witnesses recurrent attacks especially during plowing and olive harvesting seasons. Colonists cut down trees, harass farmers and expropriate lands. All done for the purpose of seizing the area for expansion plans.
The targeted seedlings belong to farmers Abdul Latif and Azmi Samhan. The table gives information about the affected citizens:
|
Citizen |
Family |
Children |
Area (dunum) |
No. of seedlings |
Damage |
|
Abdul Latif Samhan |
6 |
4 |
5 |
12 |
Full |
|
Azmi Samhan |
5 |
3 |
3.5 |
39 |
Full |
|
Total |
11 |
7 |
8.5 |
51 |
|
*Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre (LRC).
- Ras Karkar[i]
15 kilometer north west of Ramallah, Ras Karkar is surrounded by Deir 'Ammar (north), Kafr Ni'ma and Deir Ibziq (south), Al Jania (east), Bani Harth (west).
Ras Karkar has a population of 2450 people according to statistics conducted by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics in 2008. It has a total area of 5050, 330 of which are a built-up area of the village.
The Israeli occupation devoured more than 32 dunums of the lands of the village for Talmon C colony which was built in 1989. Moreover, bypass number '463 took over 295 dunums of the village lands.
According to Oslo Accords, 19% of Ras Karkar is under Area B (PA has full civil and security control) while most of the village lands (81%) is under Area C (Israel maintains full security and administrative control). Here are the area in dunums:
- Area B (940) dunums
- Area C (4110) dunums
[i] Source: Geographic Information System- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Center
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
