Demolitions

04/03/15: Report from JVS – Ethnic cleansing continues in the Jordan Valley

N.B. This report is courtesy of our brothers and sisters of the Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign.
At 6am this the morning in Ein Kozilia Jiflic, the homes of three brothers from the Zeti Cottua Cosim family, were demolished along with the shelters for their animals. This is the 9th time their homes have been demolished. They were demolished once in 2008, three times in 2012 and five times since 2013, with the last time being only a month and a half ago. In total 23 family members live in these three homes, the youngest being a two month old baby. Their homes have been targeted because of their close proximity to a natural spring, which the families use for water.
We, from the Jordan Valley, went to give our solidarity to these families this morning after the soldiers had left. Other international volunteers from EAPPI were there already giving their support. We spoke to the father of the brothers about possible legal help, and he told us that through the law it is possible only to freeze a demolition order for a few years, but in no case in the Jordan Valley has a demolition order been removed through the courts. When we asked about what we could do to help, he told us he would like us to help build a shelter for their animals so they do not run away. We will try our best to help the families with this in the near future. On our way out, the international volunteers helped to rebuild the road leading to the houses, which the army had destroyed with a bulldozer in two areas.
We asked the father if he would ever consider moving somewhere else. He said no. As in the rest of the Jordan Valley, and around Palestine, remaining on their native lands, despite all of the tactics the Israeli occupation uses to drive them away, is the strongest form of resistance Palestinians can use against the occupation.
French:

Destruction des habitations de trois familles palestiniennes dans la vallée du Jourdain par les forces israéliennes

A six heures ce matin à Ein Kozilia Jiflick, les maisons de trois frères de la famille Zetti Cottua Cosim, ainsi que les abris de leurs animaux, ont été détruites par l’armée israélienne.

C’est la neuvième fois qu’elles sont détruites de la sorte : la première fois en 2008, puis à trois reprises en 2012, et cinq fois depuis 2013. La dernière démolition par l’armée israélienne date d’il y a à peine un mois et demi. Au total vingt-trois membres de la famille vivaient dans ces trois maisons, dont des enfants en bas âge, le plus jeune ayant seulement deux mois.

Ces maisons sont la cible répétée de l’armée d’occupation israélienne car elles se trouvent proches d’une source d’eau naturelle, où la famille Cosim s’approvisionne en eau potable, et que les forces d’occupation veulent confisquer.

En tant qu’habitants de la vallée du Jourdain, nous nous sommes rendus auprès de ces familles ce matin après le départ des soldats. D’autres volontaires internationaux d’EAPPI étaient déjà présents pour apporter leur soutien.

Nous avons évoqué avec le père des trois frères dont les maisons ont été démolies la possibilité de demander une aide judiciaire. Mais il nous a répondu qu’il est, selon la loi israelienne, uniquement possible de geler temporairement un ordre de démolition. Jusqu’à présent, concernant les habitations situées dans la vallée du Jourdain, il n’a jamais été possible de faire annuler ces décisions par la Cour de justice.

Lorsque nous lui avons demandé la façon la plus adéquate de les soutenir, il nous a répondu qu’ils auraient besoin d’aide pour reconstruire un abri pour les animaux, afin qu’ils ne puissent pas se disperser, et pour les protéger du soleil. Nous ferons de notre mieux pour aider ces familles dans les semaines qui viennent.

Avant de repartir, des volontaires internationaux ont aidé à reconstruire la route menant aux maisons de la famille Casim, que l’armée israélienne avait détruite au bulldozer à deux reprises.

Nous avons enfin demandé au père de famille s’il considérait la possibilité de partir. Mais, malgré de telles conditions de vie, et la récurrence des attaques et harcèlements de la part des forces d’occupation, il nous a assuré qu’ils ne bougeraient pas.

A l’instar des autres communautés de la vallée du Jourdain, et de la Palestine dans son ensemble, rester vivre sur ses terres, en dépit de toutes les stratégies mises en œuvre par l’armée israélienne pour les faire fuir, est l’action la plus ferme pour les habitants palestiniens de résistance par la non violence à l’occupation.

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27/02/15: SFP march with Bil’in village on the 10th anniversary of the popular resistance

On Friday 27 February activists from SFP joined the village of Bil’in, near Ramallah, as they marked the 10th anniversary of the popular resistance in the village.

As activists, accompanied by international supporters, marched towards the Apartheid Wall, built on Bi’lin village land, the Israeli Army fired volleys of tear gas, sound bombs, rubber-coated steel bullets and live ammunition directly at them. Dozens suffered suffocation from the effects of the gas and one demonstrator was hit with a bullet and is still in a serious condition. Several activists, including internationals, were also arrested by the Army.

For 10 years the popular resistance in Bil’in has been demonstrating against the illegal annexation of their land. Bil’in, along with all of Palestine, is subject to unrelenting violence, seizures, curfews, and land appropriations that have violated their basic civil and human rights. The residents of Bil’in are now in a constant struggle, diligently attempting to use civil disobedience as a form of nonviolent resistance against the expansion of Apartheid Israel’s illegal wall and settlements, which has confiscated what remains of their already truncated olive groves and farm land.

The Apartheid Wall is largely built, despite being declared “in contravention of international law” by the International Court of Justice, the highest judicial body of the United Nations, along with its trenches, moats, and electric fencing, cutting Bil’in off from two thirds of their land.

Every Friday, after the noon prayers, the villagers of Bil’in march to demonstrate against the violation of their human rights by the formidable Israeli Army. SFP will continue to support villages across Palestine in their resistance until the Wall falls, Palestine is free and the refugees come home.

 نشطاء المقاومه الشعبيه SFP يشاركون في مسيره بلعين –رام الله
اليوم الجمعه 27-2-2015
في الذكرى السنويه العاشره لانطلاق المقاومه الشعبيه في بلعين
شارك نشطاء المقاومه الشعيه من حركة تضامن من اجل فلسين حره sfp المسيره الاسبوعيه في بلعين
-رام الله.
وذلك احياء للذكرى السنويه العاشره لانطلاق المقاومه الشعبيه حيث توجه مئات المشاركون باتجاه جدار الفصل العنصري, وما ان وصل المشاركون الجدار حتى بدأ جنود الاحتلال الاسرائيلي باطلاق العشرات من قنابل الغازالمسيل للدموع والرصاص المطاط والرصاص الحي ,حيث اصيب العشرات بحالات اختناق كما اصيب احد المشاركين برصاص حي في الراس وهو بحاله صعبه ,وقد قام جنود الاحتلال باعتقال بعض المشاركين ومن ضمنهم نشطاء ومتضامنين اجانب
نشطاء المقاومه الشعبيه sfp اكدوا انهم مستمرون في النضال ضد الاحتلال مطالبين بالحريه والعداله للشعب الفلسطيني .

03/11/14: Israeli Army continues its policy of ethnic cleansing in Khirbet al-Tawil

On Monday 3 November a large force of the Israeli Army entered Khirbet al-Tawil, just south of Nablus, and demolished homes and agricultural buildings. This is not the first time the Army has targeted the ancient village, home to Palestinians for hundreds of years. In recent months the Army has consistently attacked and demolished homes and structures in the village trying to force villagers from their ancestral lands.

The homes, belonging to Bahaa Maroof, Bani Fadil and Osama Bani Fadil, and shelters for animals were vital for the stability of the village. The villagers had recently raised money renovate the homes and structures. Last month the Army destroyed electricity pylons, and with Winter months approaching the safety of the villagers is in peril.

SFP is working to support villages such as Khirbet al-Tawil remain steadfast on their land and rebuild where the Occupation demolishes. If you would like to donate to SFP to help us support more villages please click here.

 

اليوم الاثنين 3-11-2014  : قامت  آليات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي  بهدم ابنية وشبكة المياه  في خربة الطويل شرق نابلس يزيد عمرها عن مائة عام. حيث حضرت قوه كبيره من جيش الاحتلال  الاسرائيلي ترافقها  الاليات الضخمة حيث قامت  بعمليات الهدم للبيوت ولشبكة المياه في منطقة تقع وسط خربة الطويل . يذكر ان هذه البيوت القديمة تعود للمزارعين بهاء معروف بني فضل مسكن ,واسامه انس بني فضل وهي  عبارة عن منازل عمرها اكثر من مائة عام  وتتكون  من غرفة واحدة يستخدمها الرعاة والمزارعين المتواجدين في خربة الطويل, وتم مؤخرا جمع اموال لترميمها. ونحن اليوم على ابواب فصل الشتاء حيث لا  يوجد اماكن بديله لهم  مما يعني  مزيدا من المعاناة للأهالي الذين تم هدم بيوتهم

Pictures courtesy of SFP contacts in Aqraba local Council

Pictures courtesy of SFP contacts in Aqraba local Council


Pictures courtesy of SFP contacts in Aqraba local Council

Pictures courtesy of SFP contacts in Aqraba local Council


Pictures courtesy of SFP contacts in Aqraba local Council

Pictures courtesy of SFP contacts in Aqraba local Council


Pictures courtesy of SFP contacts in Aqraba local Council

Pictures courtesy of SFP contacts in Aqraba local Council

29/09/14: Israeli Army cuts electricity to Aqraba homes

At approximately 6am on Monday morning, bulldozers accompanied by the Israeli Army demolished 60 electricity pylons, providing electricity to homes in Aqraba village, just south east of Nablus city. The electricity grid was part of an initiative to support the villagers by the Belgium Government in 2004.

Aqraba, which borders the Jordan Valley area of Palestine, is constantly attacked by the Israel Army. Earlier in the year the Army destroyed several homes and the local mosque, claiming they were built without permission.

Much of the Jordan Valley, and bordering villages are designated Area C under the Oslo Accords. This gives Israel full military and civil control. As such Israel as implemented a policy of ethnic cleansing, attempting to force out residents by demolishing their homes, destroying vital infrastructure and constant intimidation and attacks.

اقدمت جرافات وآليات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي  الساعه السادسه صباحا من يوم الاثنين بهدم واقتلاع ما يقارب 60 عامود كهرباء على امتداد 3كم  في منطقة خربة الطويل –عقربا  مما ادى ذلك الى حرمان الاهالي من ابسط الحقوق الانسانيه وهي الكهرباء ,علما بان هذه الشبكه انشئت بدعم من بلجيكا عام 2004 .
الجدير بالذكر ان منطقة خربة الطويل تتعرض دائما لعمليات هدم وتدمير للبيوت وخطوط المياه بهدف تهجير السكان في المنطقه.

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29/04/14: Israeli Army demolish a mosque and homes in Khirbet al-Taweel

At dawn on Tuesday morning five Israeli Army bulldozers and a large force of jeeps and soldiers entered Khirbet al-Taweel and demolished a mosque and several homes. They claimed the structures were built without permission.

Khirbet al-Taweel is located near Aqraba, south of Nablus city. The mosque and homes were threatened with demolition some months ago.

After the Oslo Accords the West Bank and Gaza areas of Palestine were carved up into Areas. In reality the Army continue to have carte blanche across Palestine and permits for building are rarely granted while building in illegal settlements has exponentially increased in recent years. Since 1967 it is estimated about 27,000 Palestinian homes and other structures (livestock pens and fencing for example) have been demolished by Apartheid Israel.

 

توجهت اكثر من خمسة جرافات اسرائيليه ومعها العشرات من الجيبات فجر اليوم الثلاثاء 29-4 الساعه الثالثه صباحا الى خربة الطويلkhirbet al taweel التابعه لبلده عقربا وقاموا باغلاق المنطقة وبعدها قاموا بهدم المسجد الوحيد في الخربه وهدم ثلاث منشآت اخرى للمواطنين وادعى الاحتلال الاسلرائيلي انه لا يوجد ترخيص بالبناء مع العلم ان المسجد قديم جدا وتعرض للهدم اكثر من مره .خربة الطويل khirbet al tweel تابعه لمنطقه عقربا ويسكنها حوالي 150 شخص يعتمدون على تربيه المواشي وراعة الاراضي >>عقربا بلده فلسطينيه تقع على بعد 18 كم جنوب شرق نابلس

 

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[Pictures courtesy of Aqraba Village Council]

 

 

01/04/14: Israeli Army demolishes homes in Khirbet Humsa

On Tuesday morning, at approximately 9am, the Israeli Army entered the Jordan Valley village of Khirbet Humsa and demolished the homes of four families. 13 shelters were demolished, which consisted of living rooms, bedrooms, kitchen and rooms the family used to produce good. In an hour three families were made homeless, which includes 10 children, left sitting under the sun.

10 jeeps, 1 Bulldozer and a forklift invaded the village, located in the Northern Jordan Valley area. During the demolition the Army also stole some of the contents of the homes and materials the homes were built from.

Khirbet Humsa is home to 14 families and according the the failed Oslo Accords the whole village is located in Area C, under full Israeli civil and military control. The village is surrounded by 4 illegal settlements, that steal vital water resources, and 4 Army camps.

At 10:30am the same day, the Army invaded Khirbet ‘Ein Karzaliyah, located in the middle of the Jordan Valley, making another family homeless, destroying their home and an animal shelter.

The Jordan Valley is located on a rich water resource. Apartheid Israel has been adopting a policy of ethnic cleansing of the Valley since the beginning of the occupation of the West Bank area of Palestine in 1967. Palestinians are regularly denied permission to build and ancient villages and their Bedouin inhabitants have their homes demolished at little to no notice. OCHA, the UN organisation that monitors the humanitarian situation in occupied Palestine, recently issued a map showing the latest demolitions by the Israeli Army in the Jordan Valley in 2013. Please click here to see the map.

Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign (JVS) and SFP support the people of the Jordan Valley to remain steadfast on their land. JVS aims to protect the existence and Palestinian nature of the Jordan Valley. JVS welcomes donations to support their work. To make a donation or find out more about the campaign please click here.

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10/03/14: Israeli Army demolish WC at Mas’oudia Park

On Monday afternoon, at approximately 14:30, Israeli jeeps entered Mas’oudia Park, just northwest of Nablus city, and demolished a WC facility for park visitors. Before starting the demolition the Army imposed a curfew on Burqa village, which Mas’oudia Park lies just south of, and then proceeded to demolish the facility with a bulldozer, accompanied by 4 Army jeeps and an Israeli civil administration official.

On 19 November 2013 the Army issued the Village Council with demolition orders, claiming the structure was built illegally on land designated Area C under the failed Oslo Accords. However, the real reason appears to be yet another land grab. Illegal settlers frequent the area, supported by the Army, which is of particular beauty, trying to lay claim to the land.

The Village was defiant and steadfast and SFP joined them in their resistance on 26 November 2013 to help build a safe play area near the now demolished WC, for children to play while families relax in the parks grounds.

The Village remain defiant and have stated their intention to rebuild and not surrender to Apartheid Israel’s intimidation. SFP will continue to support them. We ask all people to support the village and Palestinians as a whole in their resistance to the illegal occupation of their land by boycotting Aparthied Israel. To find out how to boycott and to join the campaign please click here.

Before (WC in November 2013)

 

After (demolition)

12/02/14: Israeli Army demolish homes in Khirbet Krzelaa, Jordan Valley

At 06:30am on Wednesday 12 February 2014 the Israeli Army entered the village of Khirbet Krzelaa, south of Al-Jiflek in the central Jordan Valley area, to demolish the home of Attia Rehan Bani Mania. The Army demolished the family home, housing ten family members and the shelter for the sheep. This is the second time in just over a month Attia’s family have been made homeless by the Army, the last time on 8 January. 

Attia had rebuilt his demolished home 500 metres from the site of his original home. Attia and his family are steadfast and refuse to be terrorised from their ancestral lands. International organisations issued the family with temporary tents, but there delivery was prevented by the Army. And in an additional act of terrorism, the Army confiscated Attia’s car, the own means of transport for him and his family in these remote areas where public transport is unable to access due to the Army checkpoints. The Army are refusing to return Attia’s car unless he and his family leave the area.

The forced expulsions, through a series of terrorist policies from home demolitions to physical attacks, has eerie echoes to the Nakba, when almost three-quarters of a million Palestinians were forced by gunpoint from their homes to create the Apartheid State of Israel. Apartheid Israel has been increasing its racist policies in the Jordan Valley, which Netanyhu has already pronounced will remain under full Israeli military control, regardless of any ‘peace’ deal. 

John Kerry is currently pushing negotiations between Apartheid Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which appear to include the denial of the right of return for refugees and Israel consolidating it’s hold further on large swathes of the remains of Palestine. 

Many of the illegal settlements that produce agricultural products for export markets originate from the Jordan Valley. SFP and Palestinian grassroots civil society is asking the world to implement boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Apartheid Israel. We ask all our friends to abide by the BDS call and ensure that in the absence of international Governments taking action, world citizens assist in the pursuit of justice and freedom for all of Palestine and the return of the refugees, in line with international law. For more details on how to boycott and get involved in the upcoming Israeli Apartheid Week campaign in your area, please click here

SFP will be going to help Attia, his family and Krzelaa village to rebuild.  

 

في حوالي الساعه السادسه والنصف صباح اليوم الاربعاء12-2-2014 توجه عشرات جيبات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي الى منطقه (كرزليا)في الاغوار الوسطى والتي تقع جنوب الجفتلك لهدم بيت المواطن عطيه ريحان بني منيه (Attia Rehan Bani Mania) وهو رب اسره تتكون من عشرة افراد كما تم هدم المنشأةالخاصه بالاغنام التابعه له وذكر عطيه في اتصال تم معه ومع الsfp ان عملية الهدم ليست المره الاولى فلقد تم هدم البيوت من قبل وتحديدا بتاريخ 8-1-2014 ولكن (عطيه اصر ان يبقى في المكان ليبني بيتا جديدا له ولعائلته تبعد مسافه 500 متر عن المكان القديم الا ان الاحتلال الاسرائيلي قام وبدون انذار بهدم البيت مره اخرى تاركا العائله والاطفال بدون بيت وذكر انه تم التبرع له بخيمتين من قبل الجهات الرسميه الا ان الاحتلال صادر الخيام مانعا عطيه وعائلته حتى العيش تحت الخيام كما تم مصادرة سيارته ولا زالت لغايه الان حيث اشترط الضابط الاسرائيلي الافراج عن السياره برحيل عطيه وعائلته عن المكان وطالب عطيه المؤسسات الرسميه والدوليه التدخل ومع عمليات الهدم والتهجير للسكان التي تجري في الاغوار

 

06/02/14: Israeli Army destroys 120 date trees in Zbeidat, Jordan Valley

On Thursday 6 February the Israeli Army entered the village of Zbeidat, in the Jordan Valley, and destroyed 120 date trees belonging to Hassan Germi. In an act of terrorism, the Army invaded with two bulldozers tearing up the trees, vital to Hassan and the Palestinian economy overall. The destruction of the trees in Hassan’s farms come following a demolition order from the Army issued to Hassan a year ago. Hassan said:

 I told the army they can’t destroy the trees like that because they’re like children for us. We plant them, we give them water and we watch them grow.

The Army claim the land is for the illegal settlement of Argaman. However, the land has been farmed by Hassan for 10 years and is only 10 metres from his home. All settlements are illegal under international law and are built on stolen Palestinian land, stealing vital natural resources such as water, very important for the cultivation of date trees.

Dates in particular are sold illegally by Apartheid Israel to western markets. They are usually from illegal settlement farms, built and using stolen Palestinian resources. Israeli dates have been a target for the growing boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign, which encourages consumers and companies to not by Israeli Apartheid goods.

SFP and Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign support and are part of the Palestinian call for BDS against Apartheid Israel. We implore our international friends to respect the boycott and say NO TO APARTHEID. For more details on the Palestinian call for BDS and products and companies to avoid, plus how you can get involved please click here.

Report and pictures courtesy of Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign

26/01/14: Israeli Army hand demolition orders to Qaryot family, south Nablus

Musleh Ahmed Badwai, a resident of Qaryot village, south of Nablus! was handed a demolition order from the Israeli Army today. The order, dated the 21 January 2014, gives Musleh until 26 February to demolition the house! which is under construction and water wells. It claims Musleh has no permission for the structures.

The buildings are located in so called Area B, after the failed Oslo Accords. This gives the Palestinian Authority alleged full civil control. However, as is usual, the Israeli Army has defector control of all Palestinian lands and demolitions and confiscates land at will.

Musleh currently has ten family members living in their home, near the illegal settlement of Eli. The family have suffered constant settler and Army harassment. SFP has been supporting families such as Musleh to remain steadfast and reclaim their stolen land. A small part of this is through planting land the settlers or Army are further trying to steal. Please consider donating to our olive tree planting campaign. Details of how to donate can be found here.

وجهت قوات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي اخطارا للمواطن مصلح احمد البدوي من سكان قريوت جنوب نابلس يقضي بهدم البيت (الذي هو قيد الانشاء ) وبئر مياه تابع للبيت بحجه عدم الترخيص ويذكر ان البيت يقع في منطقه المواجه والمصنفه بمنطقه Bوالتي ايضا فعليا تقع ضمن السيطره الفلسطينيه ويذكر ان المواطن بنى هذا البيت ضمن الظروف الصعبه التي يعيشها المواطن الفلسطيني حيث تتالف عائله المواطن مصلح من عشرة ابناء ويعمل مزارعا ويذكر ان المواطن مصلح بتعرض دائما لاعتداءات المستوطنين ويمنع من دخول ارضه من قبل جنود الاحتلال الاسرائيلي