The Israeli Settlement Council Organization stormed the village of Bardala, northeast of Tubas, targeting a sheep pen owned by Mr. Louay Abu Rushdi. The escorting occupation Army issued notice No. (551160), ordering a halt to all work under the pretext of paving a settlement road. This road begins in the east of the village by cutting through the bypass road 90 near the settlement of Mehola, then extends south around the village before turning west, cutting across the Qa’un plain on the outskirts of Bardala, and reconnecting with the bypass road 90, effectively linking it to the geographical expansion of the Mehola settlement.
Mr. Louay, who relies primarily on sheep farming to support his family, owns a herd of 400 sheep and had invested approximately 60,000 shekels to construct the pen, which is an accumulation of his life’s work and primary source of income. Years of effort and financial sacrifice were quickly scratched by a military order when Israeli Army stormed the village and handed Louay the stop-work notice, putting his livelihood at severe risk. In response, he has appointed a lawyer to challenge the decision, hoping to protect his only means of livelihood.
Targeted Sheep pen
The occupation authorities have also issued military evacuation orders targeting three additional sheep pens, two of which existing and one under construction, demanding their removal within a month time, or face demolition with fine. These pens collectively shelter around 800 sheep; belong to other livestock farmers in the community. The forced relocation of these pens, if an alternative location is even available, imposes high financial burdens on the farmers and threatens the survival of their herds.
Targeted Sheep pens
On the other hand, many citizens in the village received 15 notices to demolish their homes and facilities located within the new route in the Qa’un area in proximity of the community, which number 15 facilities. The incident that Mr. Louay Abu Rushdi was subjected to, which targeted his only source of income as he supports a family of 9 people (5 of whom are females), is not an isolated incident, but rather a link in a long series of Israeli violations against Palestinians in the northern Jordan Valley.
The decision to halt livestock operations and expand settlements at the expense of grazing lands directly endangers the livelihoods of hundreds of Palestinian families, pushing them toward the borderline of poverty and displacement.
Targeted Sheep pens
The impact of these policies is particularly devastating for women in the community, who play a significant role in agricultural work, including caring for livestock. With the pen now in an inaccessible area for them, Mr. Louay’s family has been forced to relocate the herd to a temporary and unsuitable location near their home, complicating the care of the animals and increasing the costs of raising them. The loss of traditional grazing lands further increases financial hardship and burdens, making survival increasingly difficult for Palestinian families in the Jordan Valley area.
About Bardala
Bardala is a village in the Tubas Governorate, located 13.5 km northeast of Tubas city in the northern Jordan Valley. Its build up area spread on 478 dunams and is bordered by Ibziq village to the west, Ein al-Baida to the east, Qa’un and Beisan plains along with the Green Line (the 1949 Armistice Line) to the north, and Kurdala and Jabaris villages to the south.
The village has a population of approximately 3,000 residents, with women comprising around 48% and men 52% of the total population.
Bardala in Tubas Governorate
Prepared as part of the project:
“Mapping and Diagnosing Palestinian Rural Women’s Livelihood and Economic Empowerment in Area “C”
Implemented by: The Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ)
Prepared by:
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
