“Systematic Eradication” Military Demolition orders for 12 structures in Kardala in the Northern parts of the Jordan Valley

The Israeli Army Forces are moving forward with a systematic campaign against the Palestinian residents of the Jordan valley where it launched a wave of demolitions for their houses and structures under Illegal pretexts mainly for pushing them to voluntary leave their own lands.

On May 23, 2016, the Israeli Occupation Forces raided the Palestinian village of Kardala north east of Tubas ad handed over 12 residents demolition orders for their structures under the pretext of lacking building permits.

The demolition orders  targeted 12 structures of which 11 animal sheds and one residential barracks and located in Area C (Lies under full Israeli control According to Oslo II Agreement of 1995). See the table below:

Photocopies for the Military Demolition Orders handed to residents from Kardala

Kardala is a Palestinian village, located 13 km northeast of Tubas city, in the northern parts of the West Bank. Kardala is bordered by Ein Al-Beida as well as the illegal Israeli settlement of Mekhola to the east, Bardala village to the north, Khirbet Tell El-Himma to the south and 3 military bases to its west and southwest.

The total area of Kardala village is 800 dunums,  only 30 dunums are classified as 'built up' area; while 750 dunums are agricultural lands. Kardala is populated by 408 residents ( PCBS Projections 2016).

It is worth mentioning that Kardala is surrounded by the Illegal Israeli settlements of Mekhola from the east , in addition to many Israeli military bases, which adds to the Palestinian residents anguish and misfortune, because of the Israeli Army and the settlers’ daily and regular harassments. See the map below :

Map for the threatened Structures in Kardala

Legal & International Status

The Israeli appropriating of more than 95% of the Jordan Valley area while cleansing the Palestinians from the remaining 5% area is reflecting the Israeli colonial approach based on the eradication of the others where more than 58,000 Palestinian residents of 44 Palestinian localities in the Jordan Valley are deprived from the simplest elements of a decent life while +13,000 Israeli settlers living in 32 Illegal Outpost and 38 settlements enjoying luxurious life in their houses with all of the infrastructure ,roads, security, facilities …….etc.

The Israeli confiscation and targeting of the Palestinian residents and their properties in all parts in the oPt are illegal and constitutes a grave breach of the International law rules and conventions:

• Article 2 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads that: 'Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it is independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.'
• Article 3 states that 'everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person'.
• Article 13 states also that '(1) everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.'
• Article 25 states that '(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.'
• According to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, Israel, as an occupying power is prohibited to demolish Palestinian houses as stated in Article 53 of the Convention which states that: 'Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations. 
• Moreover and according to article XXXI of the 1995 Oslo agreement, Israel,is forbidden from building or planning to any project or settlements or any colonial expansion or any plan that lead to change the status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The article provides 'Neither side shall initiate or take any step that will change the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip pending the outcome of the permanent status negotiations'.
• Also the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965), Article 5provides that: 'States' Parties undertake to prohibit and eliminate racial discrimination in all of its forms and to guarantee the right of everyone, without distinction as to race, color, or national or ethnic origin, to equality before the law, notably in the enjoyment of the following rights: … (e) in particular … (iii) the right to housing'.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of, December 10, 1948, Article 17 reads: 'No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.' Which means it bans Israel from destroying or confiscating the property of the Palestinians at any case. 
• Moreover Art. 23 of the Hague Convention of 1907also provides: In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden to destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war.

Prepared By  
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
ARIJ