For as long as the Palestinians suffering from the brutality of the Israeli settlers, where their systematic attacks that are taking place in all parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory on a daily basis constitute a constant threat for the Palestinian residents and their properties.
On the early morning of May 5, 2013, herds of Israeli settlers from the settlements of Giva’ot and Beit ‘Aein attacked two dunums of land owned located in Khallet Al-Daliya area south of Nahalin village and cut and destroyed more than 50 olive trees owned by the local resident Youseph Ibrahim Youseph Shakarneh.
In an interview with ARIJ field workers Mr. Shakarneh indicated that the Israeli settlers attacked his land during the night where they intentionally destroyed th old olive trees cultivated 40 years ago. He also added that he submitted a complained in what is so-called Israeli Civil Administration in Gutsh Etzion. See photos of the assault:
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As a matter of fact, and in light of absence of deterrent from the Israeli authorities, the settlers indulge in their aggressions and wreaking havoc against what is Palestinian, exploiting the authority’s complicity mainly the Occupation Army who most often protecting the Israeli settlers during their attacks where in many times the Army arresting and attacking the Palestinian farmers defending their lands.
Nahhalin village is located around 8 kilometers southwest of Bethlehem Governorate and houses a total population of 7939 (Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics – PCBS, 2013 projections). It is bordered by Husan village and the Illegal Israeli settlement of Betar ‘Illit from the north, the Illegal Israeli settlements of Rush Tzorim and Alon Shvut from the south, Geva’ot settlement from the west, and Neve Daniel settlement from the east. The village spreads over an area of 17250 dunums, of which, 496 dunums compromises the Palestinian built- up area (2.8% of the total village area).
The village of Nahhalin is surrounded from its four directions with a set of Israeli settlements, Rush Tzurim (est.1969, pop364), Neve Daniel (est.1982, pop1600), Giva’ot (est.1984, pop 44) and Betar ‘Illit (est.1985, pop +40,000) which were built on its lands and caused the confiscation of 1411 dunums (11.6%) of its total area which amounts to 12126 dunums.
To Conclude
The Israeli systematic settlers attack against the Palestinian residents and their properties constitute a grave breach for the international law rules and conventions:
Article 53 & 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 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.
Moreover Art. 23 of the Hague Convention of 1907 also provides: In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially 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 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.
