Uprooting and Theft of Tens of Olive Trees in Wadi Qana

Violation: The uprooting and theft of tens of olive trees.

Location: Wadi Qana, Salfit Governorate.

Date: December 21, 2009.

Violators: Nofim colonists.

Victim: Salah Abu Hejlah.

Details:

Part of the daily aggressions carried out by Nofim colonists against Palestinian people and their lands especially in Wadi Qana region, a group of Nofim colonists uprooted during the night 40 young olive trees (2 years old) that were planted in Salah Abu Hejlah land,

Picture 1+2: Wadi Qana

Salah told an LRC researcher:' I own a 16-dunum piece of land located in al Mayadin area, 20 km away from the colony. About 8 months ago, my family and I planted 50 olive trees, two years old each and I have been taking good care of the nurslings ever since. On December 21, I went to my land, and I was surprised to see that 40 trees were either uprooted or stolen. I saw earth marks that led to the colony which removed any doubts that colonists had surely committed such a crime. This area had suffered from previous similar attacks and intentional sabotages done by the colonists. They even tried to threaten us by saying that the area is a natural reserve and that we are not allowed to exploit it. However, we are determined to stay in our land because if we leave it for a few days, the colonists will definitely find a reason to expropriate it.'

Wadi Qana:

Wadi Qana is located to the north west of Deir Istiya and is surrounded by different Palestinian villages, Most of the lands of the Wadi are owned by Deir Istiya farmers. Its total area is around 10,000 dunums and it has 11 natural wells. Most of the lands there are planted with citrus, olives, and vegetables.

Prior to 1967, tens of families, who depend on farming and livestock as a source of livelihood used to reside in the area. These people used to be considered wealthy compared to other Palestinians since the lands in the area are fertile and water shortage was never a problem there. Nevertheless, many of the families immigrated of the area because of the Occupation and its practices. NCurrently there are 6 colonies surrounding the area from all side. Emanuel Colony, one of the colonies in the area, dumps its sewage water in Wadi Qana area which caused the pollution of different natural water reserves in the area.

Furthermore, the area is surrounded by many colonies including Nofim and Yakir colonies from the south, Nof Ornim outpost in the center of the Valley, Ginnot Shomeron, Ma'ale Shamron, and Karne Shomron in the north.

Karne Shomron dump its sewage directly into ''Ein al Tannoor' natural well, rendering it useless.

Picture 3: Nofim colony taking over Wadi Qana lands

The state of instability and lack of security caused by the colonists and different Israeli Occupation authorities can be put under the continuous attempts of judaization and control of the area. This has drastically affected agriculture by reducing the planted area. It must be pointed out that the colonists prevent the farmers from harvesting the crop or even exploiting the lands in any possible way. Moreover, the Israeli Occupation Army, alongside the so-called Environment Preservation Authority, do not hesitate to chase after the farmers and disturb their peace whenever any of them try to farm his land or to build a fence around it.

According to the Oslo Accords, Wadi Qana is considered a natural reservation, which means that no one is allowed to change anything in the area and that wildlife should be protected. Nevertheless, the Occupation Authorities never vacillate when it uproots trees and build roads between the colonies in the area. It is apparent that the Occupation Authorities apply the rules which they define only on Palestinians and not colonists in the area, clear evidence on their ethnic cleansing policies.