Violation: breaking into agricultural pools and lands
Location: Wad Fukin- Bethlehem
Date: November 03, 2016
Perpetrators: Betar Illit
Victims: owners of lands
Details:
In the morning of Thursday, November 03, 2016, a group of young children from Betar Illit colony broke into Wad Fukin village from the northern side and provocatively wandered the area.
It should be marked that the group of youth was noted during a field visit conducted by Land Research Center to the area. Some colonists children were seen swimming in agricultural pools where others were wandering the place, not caring about the owners of the lands.
Such violations are recurrent in the area. It is the first step to take over agricultural lands for the favor of colonial expansion. Noteworthy, a park was established in the area as a breather for Wad Fukin's children; it is constantly targeted by colonists.
It should also be marked that the colony of Betar Illit is founded on confiscated lands from the area of Wad Fukin. The colony is constantly expanding at the expense of Palestinian lands from the village.
Photos 1+2: during colonists' break-in on the area
About Wad Fukin:
It is located 15 kilometer west of Bethlehem and is surrounded by the borders of 1967 (north and west), Nahhalin and Husan (east), and Jab'a (south).
Wad Fukin has a population of 1168 according to statistics conducted in 2007. It has a total area of 3817 dunums, 161 of which are built-up area.
The Israeli occupation confiscated 299 dunums of Wadi Fukin lands for the sake of two colonies. The first is Har Hadasa which was built in 1978 and devoured 4 dunums while the other is Betar Illit which was built in 1985 and confiscated 295 dunums.
The Apartheid Wall confiscated 402 dunums and isolated 980 dunums in a way that denies people access to their lands. The length of the constructed Wall on Fukin lands is 4,029 meters.
According to Oslo Accords, 7% of Wad Fukin is under Area B (PA is in charge of civil matters with Israel responsible for security) while most of the village lands (93%) is under Area C (Israel maintains full security and administrative control). Here are the area in dunums:
- Area B (275) dunums
- Area C (3500) dunums
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
