An Israeli Bulldozer backed by Israeli Border Police commenced the construction of additional section of the Segregation Wall north of Beit Jala city, on the upper land parallel to the tunnel road (bypass road 60), where hundreds of Olive trees are planted and accordingly are threatened with uprooting. The bulldozer razed couple of dunums so far and uprooted some 45-60 Olive trees, which obstructed the Israeli Army plans. Lands undergoing constructions belong to residents of Beit Jala city, they are: Jacob Saleem Abu 'Amsha, Jeries 'Abdullah 'Awad, Anton Abu Shaybeh, Bishara Marzouqah, Jeries Jabra Al Hadweh, Inheritants of Farah Jeries Makhlouf, Na'iem Nicola Hanna Khamis, Elias Jeries Al Hadweh, Inheritants of Daoud Jeries, Laila Mitri 'Awad Ghneim, Nuha Suliaman Issa Qablinian and George Musa Al Hadweh. See Photo 1 & Photo 2
This Wall section is stated in the Israeli Army's Military order number 01/06/T which was issued on January 29, 2006 declaring the confiscation of 9 dunums of land for that purpose. The military order came as a substitution to previously issued military orders 57/04/T and 32/04/T, which were issued separately in the year of 2004. See Copy of Military order
Status of the Israeli Segregation Wall in the Tunnel area.
Today, a huge and hideous line of 50 feet height concrete Partitions Wall section clearly sighted hundred of meters away lays on one side of the Tunnel road (north of the tunnel road). The work on this section commenced during Christmas of 2006 while residents of Bethlehem were celebrating their religious holidays. The Israeli bulldozers rushed to the site and started adding concrete blocks to the site, as part of the Israeli plan for that area.
The segregation Wall in that area is set to enfold the tunnel road from all directions as appears in Map 1. See Case 'Limiting the access of Palestinians on Bypass Roads!'
'The Tunnel's Road'
The 'Tunnel's road' bypasses Bethlehem Governorate from the west and separates the western rural areas from the main urban areas. It was constructed following the Oslo II Accords of 1995 and is only used by Israeli residents, Israeli forces, foreigners, and Palestinians who hold valid permits issued by the District Coordination Office in Bethlehem. It has a double construction; stretching from the western areas of Bethlehem, heading towards Beit Jala Lands and penetrating through as a high bridge reinforced by huge concrete rectangular rams and crossing over the Olive cultivated lands of Beit Jala residents; it then submerge into a tunnel that continues to penetrate more of Beit Jala city lands towards Jerusalem.
The road connects the Gush Etzion Settlements and continues north, bypassing the city of Bethlehem and Beit Jala, linking the Gush Etzion bloc of settlements with Gilo settlement in the northwest and Har Homa settlement in the northeast and with settlements inside Jerusalem. See Photo 3
To conclude
The Israeli Segregation Wall is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, specifically The Hague Regulations of 1907 and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, article 53 which clearly states that: '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.' And article 147 which prohibits the ''extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly.''
References:-
- Israeli commences the construction of the Segregation Wall north of Beit Jala City
- New Land Confiscation Order in Beit Jala City
- Ecocide in Beit Jala … Again !!!
- Limiting the access of Palestinians on Bypass Roads !
Prepared by
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
ARIJ
