On February 12th, 2005, the Israeli army circulated a military decree seizing Palestinian lands in the village of Izzariya ( Bethany ) under the pretexts of ' military necessities and due to special security circumstances prevailing in the area', as claimed by the decree.
The military decree, which carries the number of T/20/05, decided the area of land to be confiscated at 25.4 dunums located in basin number 6 ( Wadi al Ham, Sahel Abu Wa'ar and Abu Ramula) and basin number 4 (Al Hadba). About 40 Palestinian families will be affected by this decision. See Copy of Military Order (1, 2 & 3), & )
Photo 1, 2 and 3: Copies of the military decree and attached maps
On February 16th, 2005, a meeting was held at the site between Palestinian owners and representative of Izzariya Village Council, on one hand, and Israeli army officers, on the other hand. The Palestinian attendants listened to a briefing given by Israeli officers about the proposed Israeli plan at the site. As the proposed plan will cause destructive economic and social impacts on Palestinians residents of the area due to the fact that it will lead to total demolition of a number of houses and properties and will cut through Palestinian areas, there was a strong rejection on the part of Palestinians who, immediately, presented an objection to the Israeli military committee in Beit Eil. The objection was presented by lawyer Mohammed Dahla on February 23rd, 2005.
The affected lands and properties are owned by the following people:
1. The family of Bajis Ash Shamali, basin No. 6, Ras Abu Sbitan, Al Tur quarter;
2. Mr. Mahmud Mohammed Ali Rabai'ya whose land will be confiscated and the vicinity of his hose bulldozed at the depth of 15-20 meters which will expose the basis of his house, and consequently, put it in danger of collapse.
3. Mr. Nabil Odeh Abud Qader who will loose part of his land and the basis of his house will be exposed as a result of excavations a the de[thy of 15 meters;
4. The family of Az Zir'i who will loose part of its land and whose residential building will be 3 meters under the level of the newly projected road once excavations and leveling have been completed;
5. The families of Raba'iya, Al Fahum, Issa, Misha'al, az Zir'i and 'Inizan will loose parts of their lands as a result of the above mentioned military order.
Four gateways to Jerusalem
Construction works of the Apartheid Separation Wall have reached the area of Al Bustan in Izzariya and stopped there until the proposed plan of the crossing point has been set up. This crossing point will be the only entrance to Jerusalem from south for Palestinians holding valid passing permits from the Israeli military. According to the aforementioned military order, it will be built as part of the Wall between the village of Al Za'aim, Attur quarter and Izzariya. Other crossing points will be established as followed:
1. The eastern crossing point will be established at the western entrance to Shu'fat refugee camp;
2. The northern crossing point will be established at the same site of the current Qalandiya checkpoint;
3. The western crossing point will be established at Attarut industrial zone.
These crossing points will impose new realities on the ground and further complicate the Palestinian movement in and out of the holy city in an attempt to jeopardize its status in final negations with Palestinians. See Map 4
Photo 4: Aerial photo of proposed site of crossing point
The current route of the Wall in Izzariya is threatening to separate further houses, buildings and cemetery from their users, which raised the anger of local people and increased tension in the area. In the meanwhile, the Israeli occupation authorities are trying to separate between the village and the Christian holy places by annexing them into Israel by the erection of the Wall.
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
