“Buffer zone”, a new Israeli term to confiscate Palestinian land inside the Wall

In a new step aiming at putting hand over the land separated behind the  path of the Segregation Wall in the West Bank the Israeli occupation army started at the outset of this year the process of issuing military orders using the term of 'buffer zone' prohibited for Palestinian entry and living. All these recently issued orders are signed by general Gadi Shimni, commander of the Israeli forces in the West Bank and use the same language for the same purpose.  One of them carries the number of S/06/09 which states that: ' The buffer zone is defined as the area marked in red color on the map  attached to the military order which is inside the Wall and that:

1.     No one should enter this area or stay in it;

2.     Any one staying in this area should immediately leave it.

3.     Exception is given to Israelis or any one else who obtains a written permission from the Israeli military.

4.     Entry and exit to this area should be done only through the defined crossing terminal'.

(Photos: 1, 2, 3 & 4: copies of the military order number (S/06/09)

According to the aforementioned order number S/06/09, about 1000 dunums ( one dunum equals 1000 M2) were announced as a closed zone which mounts to total confiscation as it is not going to be accessible to its owners. The land in question is  owned by the extended family of Mr. Moahmmed Khalil Abu Qubaita and located in the eastern slopes south east of Hebron city and close to Mezadot  Yehuda ( Beit Yattir) colony ( established in 1980, municipal area 2817 dunums, including 170 dunums built up area, population at the end of 2007 was 474, source: Foundation for Middle East Peace).

(Photo 5: location of Abu Qubaita confiscated land east of road 316)

In all similar cases the Israeli occupation authorities justify its action as  'security needs ', that is, the protection of colonies that were built over confiscated lands in the past years regardless of Palestinian current and future needs.

The most serious thing about this order is its call for Mr. Abu Qubaita, the legitimate owner,  for an immediate departure of his land that has remained under his disposal after the taking over of most of his land for the establishment and expansion of Mezadot Yehuda colony.

Living inside the Wall

It is worth mentioning that the Abu Qubaita family lives on its land inside the Wall after succeeding to obtain special passing permissions from the Israeli  high court following the army's denial to give them the right to live on their land. As part of this arrangement all the names of Abu Qubaiti family's  members who have been living there prior to the establishment of the Wall are kept at the only crossing terminal that was built on road number 316 leading from the West Bank to Israeli proper. No other Palestinians are allowed to use this terminal ( see the attached map). See the attached map

In an interview with LRC field researcher, Mr. Mohammed Abu Qubaita gave the following account: '  I was told by the army officer who gave me the military order that, from now on, he would prevent me and my family from passing through the terminal which means a loss of our homes and land inside the Wall since I live with my family in that particular area and I have no other place to go to'. 

Mr. Abu Qubaita added: ' Having issued this order It is unlikely that the Israelis will furnish us with any passing permissions as the policy has been so far to evict us out of our ancestor's land. However, we are determined to say despite all challenges and threats. Our homes were demolished many times in order to force us out of the place but to no avail. My family has been living here ever since and all of our threatened land mentioned in the military order is cultivated with long lived olive trees or ground crops such as cereals. We face daily attacks and harassment on the part of the Israeli army and settlers'.

Abu Qubaita family which is the only one still living inside the Wall in the vicinity of Mezadot Yehuda colony appealed to all human rights and legal organization to stand with her against the continued Israeli measures of forced eviction contrary to all human, ethical and legal norms.  

Israeli colonies in the area

The following is a list of Israeli colonies located in the south east and south eastern part of Hebron governorate the aforementioned three roads (see map above) :

Source: Foundation for Middle East Peace

(Map 1: Israeli colonies in Hebron district )

Related case studies:

• The Land of Mr. Mohammad Abu Qbeita has Become a Grazing Area for Colonists – Hebron Governorate, January – 2009.

• The demolition of housing structures in the village of Imneizel

• March-2008

Prepared by:
The Land Research Center
LRC