Violation: dumping an artisan cistern and demolishing retaining walls
Date: 24/03/2015
Location: Ta'nak village- Jenin
Perpetrators: the Israeli occupation army
Victims: family of Abdelrahman Zuyud
Details:
A massive force from the Israeli occupation accompanied by two military dozers on March 24, 2015 raided the area of Ta'nak, east Jerusalem and embarked on demolishing retaining walls and a agricultural room in addition to dumping a water cistern with dirt; structures belong to the family of farmer Abdelrahman Zuyud (54).
The occupation justified the demolition operation under the pretext of unlicensed construction within area classified C according to Oslo Accords, taking into account that the affected citizen objected a stop-work order served on his properties on September 03, 2014 in the Israeli court of Beit El. During every court session, the occupation claimed that some licensing documents are missing and stalled until the demolition took place lately.
The following table shows the damage resulted due to the demolition:
|
Affected citizen |
Family |
Minors |
Damages |
|
Abdelrahaman Zuyud |
7 |
0 |
Demolition of artisan cistern( 30m depth) that pumps 40m3 per day. Destroying a water pump (5.5 power horse) Destroying two water pipes (30m for each) Demolition of (80m* 2m) retaining walls (cement blocks) Demolition of a 16m2 agricultural room Cutting down 9 olive trees aging 6 years Cutting down power cables |
Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations- Land Research Center- 2015
Is should be marked that the targeted cistern serve 2.5 dunums planted with irrigated, winter, and summer crops, which are considered the main source of income for the affected family. The cistern is also considered a source of drinking water for the Bedouin communities in the area of Marj Bin Amer; neighboring villages namely ( Seelih, al-Harithiya, Zububa, and Rummana) also use the cistern's water for irrigation.
It should be also marked that the farmer and his family have witnessed many assaults and violations by the occupation army; the citizen's four sons were arrested unjustifiably, not mentioning that his house and agricultural structures were demolished many times. In 1989, the occupation demolished Zuyud's 120m2 house that was a shelter for 9 member family including 7 minors where in 1990, the occupation leveled a barrack for sheep belonging to the same man. In 2011, the occupation demolished the citizen's artisan cistern named "al-Hifaira" that pumped 80m3 per day under the pretext of it needing rehabilitation. The cistern had all needed licensing papers from Palestine Water Authority.
For further information, please read through the following report issued by Land Research Center "Stop-work orders on a cistern and a agricultural room in Ta'nak village"
About Ta'nak:
The village of Ta'nak is located alongside with Jezreel Valley " Sahel Marj Bin 'Amer" where it floats on a huge water stock. Any digging activity of more than 9m makes water erupt strongly. Unfortunately , residents have to buy water from the Israeli company of Mekorot. Lands planted with vegetables shrank because of water scarcity and Israeli control on the water resources. Not only that, farmers went to work behind the green line(boarders separating Israel and the West Bank) after they stopped using their lands due to the occupation practices. The total population of the village now is 1200 people".
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
