During the month of April 2012, the Israeli settlers escalated their attacks against the Palestinian lands and properties and the People society witnessed the fiercest assaults since the beginning of the year 2012. In this report the Urbanization Monitoring Department at the Applied Research Institute- Jerusalem (ARIJ) will highlight the main attacks conducted by the Israeli settlers against the Palestinian lands and properties between April 1st and April 30 2012:
-
April 2, 2012: Israeli settlers of Karmi Tzur settlement razed agricultural lands and uprooted tens of fruit trees (Grapes and plum) in lands located adjacent to the settlement and are owned by Sabarna, Awad and Abu Maria families in Beit Ummar town. The razing process comes in preparation for opening a 300 meters long road that will link between the housing units that have been built last year northwest of the settlement and Palestinian lands which are threatened of confiscation east of the settlement. (April 2, 2012).
-
April 2, 2012: Israeli settlers from Beit ‘Ayn settlement attacked Mohammad Abdel Hamid Jaber Al-Sleibi and his family while cultivating their lands in Beit Ummar village north of Hebron Governorate.
-
April 2, 2012: The Israeli settlers of Ma’on settlement north of At Tuwani village south of Hebron Governorate are working for the third day on row to construct a 100 meters long road on lands owned by Al Hreini and Shawaheen families in the area. The targeted lands are estimated at 25 dunums.
-
April 3, 2012: Ahmad Younis Slayyim, 43, a Palestinian worker from Al-Ubeidiya village near Bethlehem was assaulted by a group of Israelis in West Jerusalem while he was in his way to work.
-
April 4, 2012: Israeli settlers of Avigal outpost established on lands of Um Al ‘Arayes area east of Yatta town are carrying out expansion activities in the outpost on five dunums of lands to add new housing units despite a court’s order to evacuate the site and give the land back to its original owners, Jabarin, ,Muhammad and Abu ‘Arram families.
-
April 4, 2012: A group of Israeli settlers planted saplings on 2,000 square meters of land in the Ein al-Qassis area of al-Khader village west of Bethlehem city. The land belongs to Hasan Mousa Hasan, who had planted wheat on the fields. Settlers planted the saplings in an attempt to confiscate more land.
-
April 4, 2012: The Israeli Occupation Army (IOA) accompanied by The Israeli Civil Administration uprooted more than 90 Olive trees owned by Al Jabbour family in Yatta town under the pretext that the Olive trees are planted on lands owned by the State of Israel.
-
April 5, 2012: The Israeli settlers and under the protection of Israeli occupation Army attacked a number of Palestinian farmers in Wadi Yanun near ‘Aqraba town southeast of Nablus city. The IOA arrested one of the farmers who were present at the site and confiscated the keys of one of the tractors.
-
April 5, 2012: Israeli settlers of Ramat Yeshai settlement and other settlers from Kiryat Arba’ settlement attacked Palestinian houses in Tel Ar Rumeida area in Hebron, chased residents with Molotov cocktails and hurled stones at them. Settlers’ attacks caused the burning of a house owned by Seder Family and a car owned by Qfeisha family. Settlers also beat a child from Al Taweel family.
-
April 5, 2012: Israeli settlers of Peni Hever settlement southeast of the city of Hebron fired live bullets at Palestinian farmers while they working in their lands in Al Hamra area near the aforementioned settlement and made holes to the wheels of the cars and the tractor at the site.
-
April 6, 2012:The settlers who were evicted from the Rajab’s Family House (known by the Israelis as (Machpelah House) in Hebron installed a tent near the property and expressed intention to remain there until they are permitted to reenter the home. The group intends to hold a Passover Seder and other activities at the tent in order to step up pressure on Barak.
-
April 8, 2012: Tens of Israeli Settlers raided Al Hafira area south of Jenin city, between Qabatyia and Marka villages, carried out provocative actions in the agricultural lands and insulted Palestinian land owners.
-
April 10, 2012: Thousands of settlers came to visit the evacuated site of Homesh settlement north of Nablus Governorate. The tour was organized by what is called “Shomron Regional Council”, Likud Anglos” and other groups. Settlers have been attempting to return to rebuild the settlements since. Students from the Bnei Akiva Jewish youth movement, and several Israeli Knesset Members took party in the tour as well.
-
April 10, 2012:The Israeli settlers tried to assault Palestinian citizens whose houses are located on the outskirts of Jaba’ and Sielet Al Harthiya, in the vicinity of the evacuated Homesh site, cut off the main road (Jenin-Nablus road), under the protection of the Israeli Occupation Army, and threatened citizens who use the road with their vehicles and blocked traffic.
-
April 10, 2012: Dozen of Jewish teenagers took advantage of the Jewish Passover holiday to erect a new outpost near the Hashmonaim settlement west of Ramallah Governorate. Former Kedumim Council head Daniella Weiss, was also involved in the construction of the outpost, addressed the teenagers, she said, ‘It is the people of Israel who will decide the fate of the Land of Israel in the face of all the appeasers – in the face of (US President Barack) Obama and the regime in the US.
-
April 11, 2012: Seven Israeli settlers from Susiya settlement established on lands of Yatta town attacked and beat resident Sameeha Ismae’il Salameh An- Nawaj’a (40 years) near her house in Susiya valley south of Hebron city. Mrs. Nawaj’a suffered bruises in all her body.
-
April 11, 2012: A group of Israeli settlers placed a caravan between Hashmonaim and Ramat Moda’im settlements, inside the segregation zone (seam zone), on lands of Ni’lin village west of Ramallah. Residents of Ni’lin village fear that this move might open the way for a new settlement to be established on lands of the village. It is worth mentioning that the location where the new caravan was set up is off access to Palestinians of Ni’lin village.
-
April 12, 2012: A number of Palestinian farmers from Yanun village southeast of Nablus city were injured as a number of Israeli settlers attacked them under the eyesight of the Israeli Occupation Army (IOA).
-
April 13, 2012: Israeli settlers of Kiryat Arba’ settlement established on lands of Hebron city attacked citizen Shaker Al Tamimi (63 years) and his son Muhannad (19 years), while they were working in their land in Jabal Jales (Jales Mountain) near the settlement. The settlers also uprooted tens of Olive trees and destroyed field crops planted in Al Tamimi’s land and other neighboring Palestinian lands.
-
April 13, 2012: Israeli settlers of Avigal outpost uprooted and destroyed 24 Olive trees in Al Kharouba area east of Yatta town south of Hebron city. The trees belong to Jibril Musa Khalil Rubi’. The settlers also chased Palestinian shepherds and International activists who were documenting the incident and hurled stones at Palestinian houses.
-
April 15, 2012: Israeli settlers residing in Ma’on settlement fired live bullets at Palestinian citizens and shepherds in At Tuwani area east of Yatta town south of Hebron city in an attempt to terrorize Palestinian land owners from coming again to their lands located near the aforementioned settlement.
-
April 15, 2012: Israeli settlers attacked Younis Shareef (21 Years) from Beit Ula village in Hebron Governorate. Mr. Younis suffered bruises in all his body parts.
-
April 16, 2012: Israeli settlers residing in Nahla’iel settlement in Ramallah Governorate uprooted 130 Olive trees in Beitellu village west of Ramallah city. The settlers destroyed and broke the trees which are owned by Fawzi Bazzar.
-
April 16, 2012: Israeli Settlers erected a tent near Ma’on settlement, in Umm Al Zaytoun area east of Yatta town south of Hebron city. The targeted land belongs to Abu Sabha family. Residents fear that this is the first step to a new outpost in the area.
-
April 17, 2012: The Israeli settlers of Ma’on settlement let go more than 200 sheep into the Palestinian fields which are planted with Wheat and Barley in Al Kharrouba area east of Yatta town and caused destruction to it.
-
April 18, 2012: A Palestinian refugee family (Khalid An Natsha family) residing in Beit Hanina in East Jerusalem was forcibly evicted by Israeli authorities, where at least 14 people have been displaced, including a pregnant woman and a number of children. The eviction was authorized by Israeli courts, following a court case brought against the family by an Israeli extremist settlement organization called “National Land Redemption Fund”, which plans to build around 50 housing units for settlers in the area. The home has been sealed, while the family’s personal belongings have been removed to an unknown location. Since 2001, the An Natsha family has suffered repeated settler violence and harassment at the hands of settler groups insisting that they leave their homes. These attacks have intensified in recent months. See Photo 1
-
April 18, 2012: A group of Israeli settlers escorted by soldiers violently attacked a young Palestinian man, Marwan Farahat Burqan, near Kiryat Arba in Hebron, in Khallet Hadour causing injury in most body parts.
-
April 19, 2012: A group of Israeli settlers completely destroyed two farms for vegetables, carried out provocative actions and insulted Palestinian farmers in Bardala village east of Tubas city under the pretext of drawing a Palestinian flag near a Jewish tomb. The two destroyed farms are owned by Haitham and Basem Hayel Sawafta.
-
April 20, 2012: The Israeli settlers attacked resident ‘Ali Muhammad Hasan Hreizat from Yatta town south of Hebron, causing brusies in all his body parts.
-
April 23, 2012: Eight Palestinian school children were injured when a group of Israeli settlers of Yitzhar settlement, attacked them in ‘Oreef village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
-
April 23, 2012: Tens of Israeli settlers in “Roman” settlement outpost east of Teqou’ village south of Bethlehem Governorate fenced off 60 dunums of Palestinian owned lands located near the outpost. The lands are owned by the local families of Jibrin, Abu Mfareh and Qa’qura and are planted with Olive trees. Among the owners follows were known:
-
Za’al Mohammad ‘Atallah Jibreen and his sons
-
‘Ali Khalaf Qadi Jibren and his brothers
-
Ibrahim Ahmad Jibren
-
Mohammad Mousa ‘Awad Abu Mfareh and his brothers
-
Mousa Hasan Qa’qura and his sons
-
‘Ali Dakhl Allah Jadou’ and his brothers.
-
Two extremist Knesset Members Michael Ben Ari & Arieh Eldad celebrating at the Palestinian evicted house in Beit Hanina Town east of Jerusalem.
Arieh Eldad indicated that: “We are to start of the establishment of a new Jewish neighborhood in the area, which will create continuous sequence of Jewish neighborhoods on northern Jerusalem”. On the other hand, Ben Ari also added: “We will build 50 housing units for settlers on this property”.
It is worth mentioning that Arieh Eldad and Michael Ben Ari are members in National Union Party which is one of the most extremist right wing parties in Israel and in the Knesset. Moreover, Ben Ari was a member of what was “Kack party and organization” which is according to the US Department of State country report listed as terrorist organization since 1996, where the organization prohibited in Israel, Canada, European Union as well.
Photo 2: a view of targeted lands captured by ARIJ Field workers – April 24, 2012
- April 23, 2012: Israeli settlers of Avnei Hefetz Settlement cut Olive trees in Al Mudahdal area, located between Shufa and Kafa village south of Tulkarem city. The trees belong to Abdel Haleem Muhamad Isma’eil.
- April 24, 2012: Group of Israeli settlers tried to kidnap two Palestinian teens in Iraq Burin village near Nablus city. The settlers took the two teens (Ahmad and Mahmoud Qadoos, 13 & 12 years respectively) to the nearby settlement where they live. The settlers also confiscated two horses that were with the two teens.
- April 26, 2012: Israeli settlers of Yetzhar settlement closed the road linking Huwwara village with Qalqilyah and Tulkarem Governorates (Huwwara village main road) and hindered Palestinian vehicles from using the road. The road has also access to the settlement of Yetzhar.
- April 26, 2012: Dozens of Israeli settlers stationed at Homesh evacuated settlement and set up a checkpoint nearby. The settlers destroyed the front glass of a number of Palestinian cars driving on Jenin Nablus road by hurling stones at them. The cars of Nizar Abu Baker (33 years) from Ya’bad village south of Jenin city and the car of Muhammad Abdul Rahman from Jenin city were among the attacked cars.
- April 26, 2012: Israeli settlers raided ‘Oreef village south of Nablus city and clashed with school students for the second time in a week. The Israeli Occupation Army (IOA) who were in the site fired Gas bombs at the school and a number of students suffered Gas Inhalation.
- April 27, 2012: Israeli settlers of Ramat Gil’ad settlement outpost kidnapped two Palestinians from Immatin village east of Qalqilya city while grazing their sheep in lands located close to the outpost. The kidnapped Palestinians are: ‘Issam Hasan Khalil (28 years) and Muhammad Mahmoud Birri (13 years).
- April 27, 2012: In the first incident of its kind since 1967, Israeli settlers raised the Israeli flag on top of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. The Ibrahimi Mosque is considered the fourth holiest site in Islam.
- April 27, 2012: More than 200 Israeli settlers staged at dawn into Solomon’s Pools west of Bethlehem city escorted by the Israeli Occupation Army (IOA). The Settlers toured the area and carried out provocative action before leaving the area at 8:00 am.
- April 29, 2012: The Israeli settlers started razing lands bear Qasra village southeast of Nablus city. The razing area is far from any Israeli settlement located in the area and previously witnessed scenes of clash between Palestinian citizens and Israeli settlers. For more details about the Isareli settlers attacks against the Palestinians and their properties, visit the webpage of “ARIJ Daily Reports”. ”.
The Israeli Settlers………………. “A State within a State”
It is no secret that the Israeli settler’s leaders are controlling the pillars of the 32nd Israeli Government headed by Benyamin Netanyahu in a manner that the top priority of this government is to loot and control as much as possible from the Palestinian lands through an ever ending and methodic aggressive campaigns from the Israeli settlers in all over the Occupied Palestinian Territories under the protection of the Israeli Occupation Army and the consent of their Premier.
Undoubtedly, Netanyahu and his extremist government became a real threat to the peace process and “Two State Solution” principle which is in fact the cornerstone for any peace agreement supposed to be reached between the Israelis and the Palestinians, where Netanyahu is choosing his personnel and partisan interests to be the PM of Israel for longest possible period by keeping his right wing government coalition or “settlers coalition” and achieving their colonial dreams in the Palestinians Territory on the expense of the indigenous Palestinians who they living on their lands hundreds of years ago.
Netanyahu & Settlers …………..Complementary Roles….with Sole Purpose
Actually, the alliance between Netanyahu and the settler’s leaders goes beyond the partisan interests, where both sides are sharing the same colonial ideology and decided to use coalition in the current government to achieve their expansionist plans to de facto expanding the oPt for their interest and annexing as much as possible from the Palestinian lands with its resources that will end with creating fait accompli on the ground.
Indeed, the growing influence for the settler’s leaders in the Israeli Government and the State in general, had dramatically reflected over the Palestinian residents in the oPt, where the Israeli settlers of the illegal West Bank settlements get unlimited support from their superiors who they protecting them in the government and the Army as well, which is became in line with them and complied to their desires to loot and destroy anything belongs to the Palestinian residents under the protection of their Forces.
Typical Example on “Settlers Scope of Ideology”
Below are the words of Danny Dayan, one of the senior settler’s leaders and head of what is called “West Bank Council of Settlements” addressing at Herzliya Conference, February 12, 2012. This quoting constitute a typical example on the mentality and ideology of the Israeli settlers and their leaders where they believe that their existing and expanding in the West Bank are, “sense of mission” and “sense of great faith” , neglecting the fact that there are a Palestinians living there and they have a historical legitimate rights on their home lands.
“I’m not going to apologize for being a ‘settler’,” on the contrary: I’m very proud of it. The fact that we are motivated by a sense of mission, by a sense of great faith – that is what makes us so influential in Israeli society.” He also added, “We haven’t forgotten that we’re part of the Zionist endeavor. The moment other groups gain the same sense of mission, they’ll also have influence. I’m not going to apologize for the fact that we are motivated by a great faith and a great sense of mission.”
Legal & International Status
The Palestinian people and their properties in all over the West Bank are legitimate targets for the Israeli settlers who are wreaking havoc under the protection of the Occupation Army where the life of the Palestinians became an ever- ending hell. The Israeli settler’s aggressions against the Palestinians constitute a grave breach of International law rules and Human conventions:
- Article 53 & 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention indicated that: Extensive destruction and appropriation of property not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, is a grave breach of the Convention.
- In addition, the uprooting and the closures are a clear violation of Article 23 of The Hague Convention, which provides that: ‘it forbidden to destroy or seize the enemy’s property, ‘unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war’.
- Also under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by a General Assembly resolution, 217 A (III) of, December 10, 1948, Article 17 reads: ‘No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.’ Which means it bans Israel from destroying or confiscating the property of the Palestinians at any case.
Prepared by:
