Location, population and surface area:
Jinsafut village is located 13 km to the east of Qalqiliya city within the borders of Qalqiliya governorate. The latest census conducted by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) put the population toll at 2300. Its surface area reaches 8.1 square km of which 1.25 square km is built up area. See Map of location
(Map 1: location map of Jinsafut and surrounding settlements)
(Map prepared by LRC )
On going Israeli colonization activities:
The village, like many other Palestinian villages and towns in the West Bank has gone under successive violations at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces and settlers ranging from land confiscation to physical harassments and attacks. Through out the years of occupation, the following settlements were established over lands seized from Jinsafut village:
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Karnei Shomron settlement established in 1878 to the west of the village. In 2004, it had the population of 6100 settlers. (Source- Foundation for Middle East Peace).
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Neve Oranim settlement established to the west of the village;
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Ginot Shomron settlement established to the west of the village;
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Emmanuel settlement established in 1982 over 600 dunums of Palestinian owned lands to the east of the village. At the end of 2004, the settlement had the population of 2600 settlers. (Source- Foundation for Middle East Peace).
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The colonial out post of Jabel Wadi Qana (Wadi Qana Mountain): located to the south of the village and occupies an area of 400 dunums.
Segregation Wall ' Security Fence':
Following the outbreak of current Intifada in the year 2000, the Israeli security forces and settlers started to build the Segregation Wall 'Security Fence' around all the settlements located to the west of Jinsafut village, which lead to the isolate, and confiscation of about 750 dunums of Palestinian owned agricultural lands.
As a result, Israeli settlers were encouraged to enter the isolated lands and cut the trunks of more than 180 long-lived Olive trees of Roman dynasties in a provocative act of vandalism. The saboteurs carried out their attack on April 26, 2005. Palestinian farmers Mohammed Naheeb Ayub and Najih Ahamad Ayub owned the trees.
(Photo 1& 2: some of the olive trees cut by colonists in Jinsafut)
(& : some of the olive trees cut by colonists in Jinsafut)(Photo courtesy of LRC)
The two victims levied a case to the Israeli high court but have got no positive response yet.
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
