After a nine year war in the court of appeals, Israel obtained an approval to complete the construction of the apartheid wall even after conducting many hearing sessions. This decision will affect many residents from the area since their lands will be isolated behind the wall. As a result, a monastery, agricultural lands, and a primary school relative to it will also be segregated behind the wall. Noteworthy, the school served the kids of Beit Jala and al-Walaja villages.
It should be marked that the Israeli decision stated the construction of the wall on lands from Beit Jala, leaving an unconstructed segment of hundreds of meters in length in the periphery of the Silesian monasteries and lands.
The expropriated lands for the favor of the wall are estimated of 52.5 dunums, which are vineyards and apricots fields. A total of 3500 dunums will be isolated behind the wall as a result. These lands used to be a breather for families and for kids to play. Now, the wall came to segregate Beit Jala from Krimzan, therefore, human rights organizations will appeal the decision to restore their lost right. Tragically, all appeals will fail as previous ones did.
Land Research Center sees that such a decision is considered a clear-cut breach and contradiction of the right to worship and the right to learn as well. In addition to that, it is a breach of the right to freely access one's lands, which are considered, for many residents the main source of income and living.
The Israeli court pledged to offer facilities to those whose lands will be isolated behind the wall but in reality, farmers see nothing but complicated restriction imposed on lands access.
About Krimzan:
The lands of Krimzan total 3500 of dunums, which are located in the northern part of Beit Jala town. This area is founded between the two colonies of Gilo and Har Gilo. Noteworthy, atop the area, the monastery of Krimzan is founded in addition to tens of families who have lived and grew their children for many years.
Beit Jala:
It is located 1 km to the west of Bethlehem and 8 km to the south west of the Occupied City of Jerusalem. 3147 dunums (22%) of the town's lands were confiscated to expand the borders of "greater Jerusalem" and a number of surrounding colonies including:
- Gilo: it was established in 1971 to cover around 2738 dunums in area nowadays. 1117 dunums are part of Beit Jala lands. The colony is inhabited by 31500 colonists.
- Har Gilo: it was established in 1972 to cover around 420 dunums in area nowadays. 314 dunums are part of Beit Jala lands. The colony is inhabited by 414 colonists.
Area and Location:
Beit Jala is inhabited by 16700 Palestinians (PCBS). Its total area is 14337 dunums divided into 6142 dunums (area 'A'), 91 dunums (area 'B'), and 8104 dunums (area 'C') (Oslo Interim Agreement 1995).
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
