Israeli Occupation Forces demolish Al-Mu’arrajat Bedouin community for the fourth time in 2016

• Violation: demolition of community
• Location:  Al-Mu'arrajat area- Jericho
• Date:  October 13, 2016
• Perpetrators: Israeli Occupation Forces
• Victims:  two Bedouin families

Details:

Israeli Occupation Forces raided on October 13, 2016 Al-Mu'arrajat Bedouin community and demolished two residential barracks belonging to two families ( 15 members including 3 children).

It should be marked that the demolished structures were gifted to the affected families after their original residences got demolished three times since the beginning of 2016.

This time, the occupation forces confiscated the metal slaps used in the construction of barracks in order not to allow the residents to re-use them again. The following table shows information about the affected people and their properties:

It is reported that Israeli Occupation Forces demolished on August 04, 2016 the whole community. On August 20, 2016 the occupation came back and demolished what residents of the area rehabilitated in addition to the gifted tents by Red Crescent.

In September 2016,  Israeli Occupation Forces confiscated the mobile room gifted to the area's residents by Premiere Urgance PU.

During the past five years, the community was targeted more than six times in row. The latest attack was carried out in August 2016. The occupation intends to put a pressure on people of the area to force them leave their lands and residences for the favor of colonial expansionist plans.

It should be marked that Bedouins of Arab Al-Mleihat community hail from the area of Beer AL-Saba', from which they were expelled in the aftermath of 1948 war. Bedouins moved to the areas of south Hebron governorate and resided there.

The community now populates 230 member, who live in very hard conditions of life. Not only, the occupation army never stopped harassing them to push them leave the area again.

Photos 1-3: the interiors of the demolished shelters

Land Research Center sees houses and properties demolition as clear-cut violation of all international conventions and laws:

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

•  Article 1 states: " All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."
• Article 17: "
  (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
  (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property."

The 1907 the Hague Convention

 Article 23: " In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden

g.  To destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war;"

The Geneva Fourth convention

 article 53: "  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."

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights:

Article 11.1 states: "The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international co-operation based on free consent".

Prepared by
 The Land Research Center
LRC