Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Statistical Report

Annual Report 2014

LRC

By Monitoring Israeli Violations Team Land Research Center – Arab Studies Society

March 2015

Report Team Editing & Supervison Jamal Talab Alamleh

Jerusalem Researchers Yaqoub Odeh Ala Sumairah

Area (C) & (H2) Raed Moqadi Researchers Inas Asa, d Rajeh Talhami

Feild Research Hiba Whoosh Coordiation & Report Preparation

Mapping & Design Mohammad Alamleh Younes Rjoub

Translation Waleed Hijazi

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

2014

Preface

Article 1 from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that « All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood».

The year 2014 is considered the year of and Al-Aqsa mosque, during which: A full closure and time division were imposed on the mosque. The compound of Al-Aqsa mosque was classified as public yards in a step to take them over from Muslims. A tyrant such like the leader of the right-wing Jewish Home party Naftali Bennett announced Jerusalem the eternal capital of . 38 residential units were taken over in the heart of the Arab neighborhood in addtion to the Central Post Office building that is located in the most commercial street in , Salahuddin street. A modification was made on the law of Absentees to regard of those who carry the ID as Absentees despite owning properties in Jerusalem. Judaization of Jerusalem was an occupational focus. Nineteen outpost erupted; 5545 colonial units were annexed to colonies and 729 Palestinian structures were demolished with a 5% increase compared to last year. Areas «C» became inaccessible to Palestinians where colonists were given ultimate freedom to roam and establish military camps, which later become colonies. In addition, areas «C» fell under the so-called self-demolition policy as in the case of Jerusalem city. The Palestinian Authority was punished by endless sanctions because it applied for a membership in the ICC and Rome Convention as per recognizing in the UN. The Israeli occupation got exposed after the insane war on , which resulted in the destruction of 70,000 residences, displacement of half million citizen, martyrdom of 2147 people, 81% of which were women, children and elderly, not forgetting the 10,870 injured people, the third of which were children who will sustain a permanent disability. The Israeli government violated all international laws and conventions even those catered by its first ally USA. Palestinian found themselves applying the following saying: «walking on a sword is deadly but falling over is even worse» The killing and torching of the kid Mohammad Abu Khdair alive. A Palestinian minister was killed on camera at time of planting olive trees. Will the world keep watching the Palestinian agony in silence without restoring the stepped over humanity by the professional killers?

Jamal Talab Alamleh General Manager Jerusalem The Land Research Center (LRC) – an overview Is a nongovernmental, non-profit organization that was established in 1986 as part of the Arab Studies Society. LRC’s activities cover all the West Bank, including Jerusalem, as well as the Gaza Strip. It has branches in , , and . , LRC s Programs The Human Rights Program: It is viewed as one of the most crucial programs implemented on the national level. The program aims to monitor Israeli violations of Palestinians rights, gather detailed and precise information in this regard and make the information available to people all over the world in order to garner more support and mobilize solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Sustainable development program This program aims at fostering the development of Palestinian land and people through implementing activities that achieve sustainable development via developing natural resources that include and are not limited to lands development, nature preserve and water management & best use. Researches and Studies, and Maps and Geographic Information System (GIS) This program focuses on preparing, producing and providing valid scientific information, studies, and applicable researches relative to the center›s various activities. Studies and researcher- supported by the maps and aerial photos of Maps and Geographic Information System (GIS)- include and are not limited to soil preserve, lands development, vegetation, and bio-diversity.

Methodology Information gathering is done in accordance with the International coalition for the right of property and residence: a specialized team of field observers follow Israeli violations up. Information on ongoing violations is usually obtained from news agencies, victims’ calls, interviews, and field visits. Information is then classified and distributed to field observers based on location. The field observers conduct visits to the attacked sites, record testimonies, take pictures, and let the victims fill special survey to obtain as much information as possible about the aggression. The gathered information is used to produce case studies, news feeds, and monthly and quarterly reports. All of the reported aggressions are recorded electronically on the LRC’s central database. It is worthy to mention that produced reports include pictures and maps and/or aerial photographs designed by the GIS unit at LRC in order to provide visual aid needed to better understand the extent of the aggression. In the end, these reports are published on LRC’s webpage www.lrcj.org and the program’s special website which is developed and maintained in cooperation with the Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ) www.poica.org in both and English as well as being often published in the form of booklets and books. Content

Ch1. Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing 1.1 Demolition and evacuation of Palestinian houses and structures as part 3 of a displacement policy 1.2 Demolition Threats for Palestinian Residences and Structures 18 1.3 Seizing and Colonists’ attacks on Palestinian Residences 26

Ch2. Israeli Violations against Natural Resources 2.1 Israeli Violations against Natural Resources 33 2.1.1 Land confiscation 33 2.1.2 Destruction of Land and Crops 40 2.1.3 Attacks on Palestinian Trees 43 2.1.4 Demolition of Cisterns, Reservoirs, Pools and Springs 47 2.1.5 Demolition Threats for Wells, Reservoirs, Pools and Springs 49 2.2 Pumping Sewage towards Palestinian Towns and Villages 52 Ch3. Colonists’ Attacks on Palestinian Lands and Properties 3.1 colonial gangs that were formed ,to harm Palestinians 59 3.2 Palestinians› losses due to Colonists Attacks 60 3.3 Types of Attacks on Palestinians and Their Property 62 3.3.1 Attacks on Palestinian Individuals 63 3.3.2 Attacks on Palestinian farmers and shepherds 65 3.3.3 Attacks on Palestinian Vehicles 66 Ch4. Siege and Blockade 4.1 Road blocks in 2014 78 4.2 The Israeli Annexation and Expansion Wall (segregation wall) 85 4.2.1 Background Information about the Wall 85 4.2.2 The Wall in Numbers 85 4.2.3 The Status of the Wall in 2014 85

Ch5. Israeli Violations against Islamic and Christian Religious Sites 5.1 Attacks on Religious Sites 92 5.1.1 Violation against al-Aqsa mosque and worshipers during 2014 95 5.1.2 The Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and Constant Attempts at 99 Judaization 5.1.3 Targeting 144 mosques and churches since 1967. 100

Ch6.Colonial expansion 6.1 The Israeli occupation colonialism in the West Bank and Jerusalem 106 6.2 Status of Colonization in 2014 109 6.3 Colonial Plans in 2014 115

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

2014

Chapter One

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

1.1 Demolition and evacuation of Palestinian houses and structures as part of a displacement policy The Israeli occupation adopts a discriminatory policy when it comes to construction, banning it from demographic expansion in areas classified «C» according to Oslo Accords, the apartheid wall route, colonies peripheries and bypass roads. While it generously grants colonists building permits, it imposes endless complications on any Palestinian structure, rendering the process of getting a building permit almost impossible. Thus, many Palestinians feel obliged to build without a permit to which Israel responds by demolishing the structure under the pretext of unlicensed construction. Though it is a legitimate right to have shelter and secure residence, Israel tries to deprive Palestinians of that. Land Research Center (LRC) recorded (729) cases of house demolition in 2014, a 5% increase compared to 2013. The objective behind such policy is to empty the area from Palestinians for the favor of colonial expansion plans. Construction and expansion works were reported on 144 Israeli colonies at the expense of Palestinian lands; 50 other cities and\or villages and\or Bedouin communities had demolitions inflected upon as follows: • 251 residences (16,594m2) that were inhabited by 1365 people, including 716 children. Structures were categorized as follows : -- 61 residences that are built by stones -- 32 residences that are built by concrete blocks and cement -- 57 residential tents -- 94 barracks that are built by concrete blocks and roofed with metal slaps -- 7 caravans • 478 structures which benefited 4318 people including 3711 children, including: -- 197 barns, shacks and agricultural rooms, 150 of which sheltering over 4655 ruminants and horses and 10 were chicken farms while 35 used for storage. -- 22 retaining walls (used to protect lands and/or houses). -- 67 commercial structures. -- 67 cisterns, pools and reservoirs. -- 92 other structures (including compartments, water closets, traditional ovens, etc.) -- 7 power networks (electrical grids containing 92 utility poles). -- 5 educational facilities (kindergartens and schools) -- 14 other structures -- 3 roads -- 4 mosques and their facilities 3 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Demolished residences in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, in 2014- by governorate:

Governorate Residences Area (m2) Victims Including children Jerusalem * 95 7580 561 294 Hebron 39 2743 252 134 2 160 20 12 Ramallah 8 395 34 17 29 1606 138 63 Nablus 29 1621 127 72 0 0 0 0 Qalqiliya 1 24 2 0 46 2235 222 119 2 130 9 5 0 0 0 0 Total 251 16594 1365 716

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

* including 11 residences demolished by their owners who were forced by the occupying municipality

95

46 39 29 29

8 2 1 2

Jerusalem Hebron Bethlehem Ramallah Jericho Nablus Qalqiliya Tubas Tulkarm

The graph reflects the demolished houses in the West Bank in 2014- by governorate

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Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Demolished houses in the West Bank in 2014- by month

Month Residences Area (m2) Victims Children January 42 2120 213 114 February 15 930 147 65 March 13 1085 81 38 April 33 2161 225 125 May 19 863 72 31 June 11 820 53 27 July 3 328 31 12 August 26 2303 145 84 September 24 1748 106 64 October 19 1191 122 62 November 29 2145 116 64 December 17 900 54 30 Total 251 16594 1365 716

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

42

33

29 26 24

19 19 17 15 13 11

3

January February March April May June July August September October November December

5 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Israeli bulldozers leveling 35 agricultural structures in Khirbet Humsa - Tubas on April 01, 2014

Rubbles of al-Maslamani family residence after being demolished on April 29, 2014, Jerusalem 6 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

The residence of citizen Falah Oubeid after demolition in Far›un village-Tulkarm on June 09, 2014.

Israeli bulldozers at time of demolishing the 15 commercial stores and Coca-Cola building - Shu fat 30/ 12/ 2014 7 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

The possessions and interior of Msalamni›s residence piled outdoors after the demolition on April 29, 2014

Before After 2012 April 30, 2014

The residence of Mohammad Abu Ghazi before demolition in al-Arrub camp- Hebron on April 30, 2014 8 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing increasing yearly .. !!

9 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Self-Demolition is a Crime against Humanity: Definition: When an owner of a structure is forced to demolish his property by himself, it is called ‹self demolition› or ‹silent demolition›. It used to be carried out in quiet or in silence as the name suggests. But recently, due to their increased number of cases, victims have come to disclose that such type of demolition exists and that it is their only choice and speak out about the inhumanity of the Israeli occupation for forcing such a practice. This kind of demolition is mainly imposed on Palestinians in Jerusalem in efforts to displace them and Judaize the city. The Israeli occupation always justifies that type of demolition, which is a blatant contravention of the right to residence and a crime against humanity, on the pretext of unlicensed construction. [If your house has been built without a building permit, then it is legal and you have to destroy it and remove the wreckage as soon as possible. You also have to take pictures of the destroyed structure and send them to the Inspection Department of the Planning and Construction Committee in the occupying municipality to verify the act. There is a fixed date regarding when you have to carry out the demolition operation and this is a red line you cannot cross. *Img. resorce: Website - Palestine Now

Citizen Amin Abdelhaq self-demolishes his residence compelling to the occupation municipality order on 10 October 19, 2014, Ras al-Amud-Jerusalem Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

There is a second date set by the municipality court of local affairs to check if you have abided by the demolition order or not. In case you do not comply, the municipality will demolish your residence at your expense. If you cannot pay, you will be jailed, so the lesser of two evils becomes the self- demolition choice.]

LRC field observers kept a close eye on the matter and recorded 66 cases where the owners had to demolish their property by themselves during the past five years(20102014-) making 477 civilian citizens, more than half of whom are children, homeless and lacking security and stability.

Negative effects of self demolition on families: The self or silent demolition causes great pain and feelings of oppression. When the Israeli occupation carries out a demolition operation, the family gets more united in the face of injustice, especially children who become aware of the reality of the occupation. But when the father carries out the demolition, children become confused and view their caretaker as weak and helpless. This may lead to fragmentations, clashes and instability within the family, and children might suffer psychologically and lose trust in the family, society and future. Let alone the loss of money and efforts on the part of the breadwinner and the family.

• Objectives of imposing self- demolition on Palestinians by the Israeli occupation:

• To kick out Palestinians from the occupied city of Jerusalem so Jews become a majority;

• portray Palestinians as self-destructive, demolishing their residences by themselves in a gesture of admitting their wrongdoing;

• exonerate the Israeli occupation from accusations of eviction and demolition;

• spare the Israeli occupation from complications, confrontations and embarrassments during demolition;

• generate money (by fining people thousands of shekels);

• conceal the true number of demolition cases;

• make negative psychological effects on Palestinian families;

• Get rid of the infamous stereotype known for centuries about the Jews that they destroy their own houses by themselves. 11 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

The number of houses destroyed by their owners (silent demolition) in the occupied city of Jerusalem during the past five years (2010 - 2014) Year Residences Area (m2) Family Children 2014 11 605 88 31 2013 13 822 107 64 2012 14 984 92 53 2011 15 700 88 56 2010 13 827 102 61 Total 66 3938 477 265

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

15 14 13 13

11

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

The chart illustrates the residences that were demolished by their owners (self- demolition) during the past five years (2010 - 2014)

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Abu Ter stated to an LRC observer that: In 1997, I built two rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom on a 40 m2 piece of land that belongs to my grandfather. I did not apply for a building permit since the piece of land is categorized «green area» which the municipality does not allow using for construction. In 1999, officers of the municipality passed by and took pictures. Shortly after, I received a stop-work order. I abided by that. He also added: After two years, that is 2001, I decided to marry so I carried on building and I added a 30 m2 room. I went to lawyer Min›im Thabet to find a way to turn the land from green to yellow. It was not long before I received a demolition order. The lawyer succeeded in delaying the date of demolition more than once. Meanwhile, I received a 150 NIS fine of which only 20,000 NIS left. In 2012, the court ruling was that I should work for free in the cleaning business for 3 months for violating the construction laws in addition to a 20,000 NIS fine. I worked daily from 7 to 3 for three months. Then I worked as a taxi driver to make a living and provide money for the lawyer and pay the fines. In July 2013, the court ruled that I should demolish my residence by myself. I did demolish part of it but the municipality insisted that all the building should be leveled. And in case I do not oblige, the municipality would demolish it in condition that I pay the costs which could reach up to 70,000 NIS. On January 4, 2014, I demolished my housing using a bulldozer after I sent my children away to my parents›. We are now homeless.

, Occupied Jerusalem: Citizen Basil al-Sha ir self-demolishes his residence after being forced to do so 13 by the municipality of th eoccupation 26/ 04 /2014 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

What does the Israeli occupation do if a Palestinian owner does not demolish his residence by himself? -- The Israeli occupation demolishes the residence without any prior warning and usually at the early hours of the day. -- The occupation sets perimeters around the targeted area and invades it with armed forces. It also imposes curfew on the residents of the neighborhood until the task is complete. -- The Israeli occupation forces use tear gas canisters and rubber-coated bullets against masses or people who try to get near them. -- While driving bulldozers, soldiers try to inflict as much damage as possible not only on the targeted house but also on nearby structures. During the demolition, the Israeli occupation does the following: 1. Hire a demolition contractor and workers to evacuate residents. 2. Assign a military force, often with detection dogs, to accompany and guard the contractor. 3. Carry out content and furniture that workers often deliberately destroy during evacuation. 4. Attack people who get near the building, even the owners themselves, by unleashing sniffer dogs. 5. Beat a member of the family as it is usually the case. In response to people›s anger or protestation, the Israeli occupation forces hit or detain some. Present the family with demolition bills that include the following: • Wages of the contractor and workers • Safeguard expenses • Expenses of renting detection dogs • Risk costs • Fines in case the owner does not remove the wreckage of his house within 48 hours. • Fines if the owner does not comply with the municipality›s order and fails to demolish his residence by himself Self-demolition now in areas of the West Bank: Self-demolition policy started in Jerusalem and later on spread all over the governorates of the West Bank; owner of unlicensed structures become obliged to self-demolish their structures by themselves. Noteworthy, Palestinians are left no chance except to build without a permit for the Israeli authorities never grant building permits to them. It is profoundly humiliating to self-demolish one›s home; the icon of security and the shelter of dreams and childhood. Consequently, Israeli authorities impose high fines on those who self-demolish their structure; such fines exceed the original cost of houses themselves. Affected people of self-demolition have to pay bills that include the wages of the contractor and workers, safeguard expenses, expenses of renting detection dogs; they also have to pay fines in case the owner does not remove the wreckage of his house within 48 hours. In case of Jerusalem, the self-demolition policy was conducted under the claim of Jerusalemites being under the jurisdiction of Israel Civil Law. Today, this policy is being conducted all over the cities of the West Bank despite being located within areas classified «C» according to Oslo Accords as if they fall under that jurisdiction. 14 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

The following table lists information about self-demolished structures in the West bank Date of self- Nature of No. Location Area Notes demolished structure Idhna village- 1 2014/12/31 A junk barrack 300 m2 Established in 2010 Hebron Deir Samit- 4 2 2014/04/08 A junk barrack Founded on a 4 dunum plot Hebron dunums Barrack (metal Al-Bireh-Dura/ 3 2011/05/12 slaps and 350m2 Established in 2008 Hebron concrete blocks) Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014 • Demolition of Palestinian structures Demolished structures in the West Bank cities, including Jerusalem in 2014- by type Governorate Agricultural Agricultural Educational Commercial Institutions water closet) Electricity Cisterns & Cisterns barns and barns Retaining reservoirs structures structures buildings networks Mosques kitchens, Shacks, Shacks, Roads others rooms (oven, Other Total walls tents

Jerusalem 1 1 0 11 28 13 39 0 2 0 3 98 Hebron 0 0 47 2 10 11 12 2 11 1 2 98 Bethlehem 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Ramallah 0 0 0 3 5 1 4 0 7 0 0 20 Jericho 0 0 10 0 45 3 0 1 35 0 0 94 Nablus 3 0 5 5 11 1 3 3 1 1 8 41 Salfit 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 Qalqiliya 0 0 4 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 0 9 Tubas 0 4 1 0 62 4 4 0 35 0 1 111 Tulkarm 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Jenin 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 Total 4 5 67 22 164 33 67 7 92 3 14 478

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

111

98 98 94

41

20 9 2 1 1 3

Jerusalem Hebron Bethlehem Ramallah Jericho Nablus Salfit Qalqiliya Tubas Tulkarm Jenin 15 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Demolished structures in the West Bank in 2014 -by month Agricul-tural Agricul-tural water closet) Comm-ercial Educational Institutions Elec-tricity Re-taining Cisterns & Cisterns structures structures barns and barns reservoirs buildings networks kitchens, Mosques Shacks, Shacks, Month Roads others rooms (oven, Other Total walls tents

January 0 0 1 1 46 7 7 1 23 0 10 96 February 0 4 0 0 5 1 3 0 0 0 0 13 March 1 1 1 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 8 April 2 0 4 4 32 3 4 1 9 0 0 59 May 1 0 13 3 35 3 6 3 30 1 0 95 June 0 0 42 2 2 2 10 0 0 1 0 59 July 0 0 0 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 9 August 0 0 0 0 4 3 2 0 7 0 0 16 September 0 0 2 3 14 3 13 2 7 0 1 45 October 0 0 0 3 10 9 0 0 3 0 1 26 November 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 13 1 1 19 December 0 0 3 6 4 1 18 0 0 0 1 33 Total 4 5 67 22 164 33 67 7 92 3 14 478

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

16 The demolished structure of Abdallah Said in Ras Attaih- Qalqiliyya on May 29, 2014 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

House demolitions contradict with all the International conventions and Humanitarian laws including: • Article 17 of the (1948) Universal Declaration of Human Rights stating: “Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.” • Section ‹G› of article 23 of the (1907) The Hague Conventions asserting: “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.” • Article 53 of the Geneva Fourth Convention (1948) declaring: “Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.” • Section 1, Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966): “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international co-operation based on free consent.»

The Israeli dozer embark on demolishing shacks in Yatta-Hebron on October 29, 2014 17 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

1.2 Demolition Threats for Palestinian Residences and Structures: The Israeli occupation through the Civil Administration in the West Bank and/or the state municipality in the occupied city of Jerusalem works hard to restrict any Palestinian construction, urban expansion or development by demolishing unwanted structures. The Civil Administration and the occupying municipality have issued hundreds of demolition orders on Palestinian structures under the pretext of unlicensed construction; adjacency to the Apartheid Wall; military closed zones among others, ignoring the fact that the land along the structures on it are Palestinian property. The official body that serves military orders against Palestinian construction in area C is the Civil Administration-Judea and Samaria, Supreme Planning Council, Inspection Sub-committee while the occupying municipality does so in East Jerusalem. Both work hand in hand in hindering any Palestinian urban development and expansion and issuing military orders entitled «stop-work and construction» to halt any development and demographic expansion. An Israeli inspector, usually guarded by Israeli forces, hangs demolition orders on targeted houses and takes pictures of them before leaving. Sometimes the order is handed to any Palestinian around without showing any respect to the owner and without any formal way to inform the victims. The first order that is usually issued is called “stop-work”; such orders usually do not include the name of the owner, as if he did not exist, but include information like coordinates and a description of the «infringement” as well as a fixed date for a hearing session to be held in regard to the structure, typically within 45 days

Examples for Stop-Working order.

18 a stop-work (construction) order final stop-work order Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

In case the owner fails to attend the hearing session or fails to obtain a construction permit, which is the most likely scenario, the Israeli Occupation Civil Administration issues what is called “final stop-work order”.

In rare cases, the Israeli Occupation Civil Administration issues a third order entitled “additional opportunity to object to a demolition order” which grants the victim 3 additional days to respond to the accusations held against him and obtain a construction permit

Another type of military orders that has been specifically used for areas Palestinian Jordan Valley in the north and the south of Hebron is entitled: “eviction from a closed military zone” and issued by the Israeli Occupation Civil Administration. The order forces people to evict the designated areas within a short period of time and warns the targeted that if they do not comply with the orders, they will be evicted by force and their belongings confiscated.

“additional opportunity to object to a demolition order” ”eviction from a closed military zone”order

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Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

According to LRC field staff, over than 329 military orders were issued in 2014 including 259 stop- work orders; 25 final stop-work notes; 13 additional opportunity to object to a demolition order notices ,22 eviction orders and 10 administrative demolition orders. 838 Palestinian structures were targeted on the pretext of lacking a building permit including:

• 468 residences inhabited by 2427 people including 1290 children.

• 370 other structures benefiting 2965 people including 18567 children.

-- 218 barns, shacks, agricultural rooms, and storage rooms.

-- 6 retaining walls.

-- 68 commercial buildings

-- 37 water cisterns, pools and reservoirs

-- 3 mosques

-- 5 electricity grids comprising of 19 utility poles

-- 8 road networks

-- 9 educational and civil organizations

-- 2 parks and playing fields

-- 1 water network

-- 13 other structures

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Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Threatened residences in 2014- by type of military order activities and/or Eviction from a Final stopwork Administrative and demolition demolition and closed military military closed eviction orders Stopwork and cons-truction cons-truction Governorate opportunity opportunity for colonial demolition Additional demolition zone order zone to object Eviction Verbal others others order order order order Total

Jerusalem 24 16 0 0 1 0 68 109 Hebron 94 5 6 0 0 1 0 106 Bethlehem 39 1 0 0 0 0 15 55 Ramallah 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 6 Jericho 12 5 0 0 22 0 0 39 Nablus 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 Salfit 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 Tubas 65 9 0 28 0 21 0 123 Tulkarm 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Jenin 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Total 263 37 12 28 23 22 83 468

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014 Threatened structures in 2014 by type of military order Final stopwork Administrative and demolition demolition and closed military military closed eviction orders activities and/ Eviction from Stopwork and construction construction Governorate opportunity opportunity for colonial demolition demolition Additional zone order zone or others or others to object Eviction Verbal order order order Total order a

Jerusalem 0 0 0 0 0 0 53 53 Hebron 65 10 11 0 0 3 0 89 Bethlehem 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 Ramallah 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 Jericho 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 Nablus 12 0 3 0 2 1 0 18 Salfit 3 0 5 0 0 0 0 8 Qalqilya 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 Tubas 102 22 0 5 2 12 0 143 Tulkarm 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Jenin 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 Total 240 32 20 5 4 16 53 370

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014 21 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Residences threatened of demolition in 2014- by governorate

Governorate No. of residences Area\m2 Family Children Jerusalem 109 8362 779 461 Hebron 106 10745 481 253 Bethlehem 55 6655 173 91 Ramallah 6 876 26 15 Jericho 39 4875 172 100 Nablus 14 1930 76 38 Salfit 2 280 6 2 Qalqilya 11 1770 63 33 Tubas 123 5075 639 291 Tulkarm 1 160 5 3 Jenin 2 290 7 3 Total 468 41018 2427 1290

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

Threatened residences in 2014- by month

Month No. of residences Area\m2 Family Children January 42 3535 200 96 February 68 5527 553 365 March 25 3447 101 47 April 20 1138 86 38 May 47 2061 251 103 June 18 1295 61 28 July 17 1771 74 42 August 18 2391 39 22 September 39 3707 178 97 October 49 1910 308 156 November 57 8294 244 141 December 55 4702 285 129 Total 468 41018 2425 1286

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

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Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

The threatened with eviction residence of citizen Khlid al-Abbasi in Dahyat al-Staih- Jericho on November 18, 2014

, Stop-work order on the residence of citizen Shaher al-Srai that is still under construction. Yatta- 23 Hebron on December 09, 2014 Chapter 1

Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

Number and nature of residences threatned of demolition in the West Bank including Jerusalem during 2014-by governorate uctures( oven, Comm-ercials water closest, Governorate Agricultural Agricultural Re-taining Electricity tanks, and Sheds and Parks and Other str- reservoirs kitchens) buildings networks networks Cisterns, Cisterns, Mosques grounds playing Others rooms Water barns roads Total Org.s walls

Jerusalem 2 0 0 0 20 4 22 0 0 1 0 4 0 53 Hebron 6 1 19 4 25 7 20 3 0 0 2 2 0 89 Bethlehem 0 0 2 0 1 1 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 9 Ramallah 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Jericho 1 0 3 0 6 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 15 Nablus 0 1 7 1 1 0 1 2 4 0 0 0 1 18 Salfit 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 8 Qalqilya 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 Tubas 0 0 5 0 129 4 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 143 Tulkarm 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 Jenin 0 0 2 1 5 1 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 Total 9 3 39 6 188 27 68 9 5 2 7 6 1 370

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

a general view

Threatened of demolition barrack that shelters 160 sheep in the location of Arab al-Rashayda, Duyuk al- Fuqa village- on July, 07, 214

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Israeli Violations against Palestinian Rights to Land and Housing

An aerial photo indicating the location of 12 structures notified with stop-work in Arab al- Rashayda- Duyuk al-Fouqa , , Israel s real intention is to confiscate as much lands as possible from areas classified C; it s certainly not about unlicensed construction. The occupation is intending to make a reserve of lands for futuristic colonial plans and to ban Palestinians from benefiting from them, allowing Israelis to take those lands over and force Palestinians to dispose them. Israel minister of economy Naftali Bennet stated the following in a press conference: « the reign of Oslo is to terminate soon; a new period will be introduced to Israeli politics named «real epoch». There is no peace convention in the horizon; it is time to achieve the vision of economic peace through increasing investment, enhancing life standards of Palestinians, imposing Israeli sovereignty on areas C and granting citizenships for Palestinians in Israeli areas».

Bannet added: «Israel can also annex areas C to benefit from as in the previous annexation of east Jerusalem after 1967 and Golan heights in 1981».

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1.3 Seizure and Colonists’ attacks on Palestinian Residences Extreme colonists relative to Price tag gang carried out 60 attacks on Palestinian residences, targeting 188 structures; 9% increase in the attacks was noted as follows: • 135 buildings were taken over; 39 residential apartments, of which 38 are located in Silwan neighborhood-Jerusalem. • 35 other structures were taken over as follows: 29 commercial structures; 8cistersn and water tanks; agricultural facilities; 4 quarries, factories and parks; 2 water and electricity networks; 5 educational institutions. The number of housing abused by settlers in the West Bank, including Jerusalem Governorate during 2014: Governorate Attacks against Palestinian residences Breaking in Torching Seizing and/or Excavations Pelting with Demo- Total and writing and attempting to underneath stones lition racist slogans destruction seize houses Jerusalem 0 0 10 0 38 10 58 Hebron 38 1 4 1 0 0 44 Bethlehem 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Ramallah 0 0 1 2 0 0 3 Jericho 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nablus 2 0 0 1 1 0 4 Salfit 5 0 6 11 0 0 22 Qalqilya 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 Total 48 2 21 15 39 10 135

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

Colonial associations take over 38 building through fraud and forged documents in Occupied Jerusalem A staff from Elad colonial association accompanied by Israeli policemen on September 30, 2014 raided the area of Silwan and put hand on 28 residences under the claim of « legal purchas». On November 20, 2014 a massive number of colonists broke into Silwan neighborhood and resided two buildings under the claim of «purchase»; the two buildings are comprised of 10 apartments ( five for each) and are owned by families from Jerusalem. The taken over buildings are located in Wad Hilweh that is adjacent to the southern part of al-Aqsa mosque ; the location is relative to Silwan neighborhood and has been referred to as the Holy block the Israeli registry. Construction and rehabilitation are prohibited for Jerusalemites in this area where colonists are given ultimate freedom to perform any act of purchase or construction works in.

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Land Research Center LRC sees the fraud techniques aiming at circumventing the law as illegal and lawfully invalid according to UN resolutions, which stated that: « any actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem are illegal and therefore null and void and have no validity whatsoever, and calls upon Israel to cease all such illegal and unilateral measures». Therefore, any act of purchase or sell undertaken by colonial associations such like El›ad is prohibited.

• Parts of the seized houses

Araih King, the godfather of the colonization posted the following on his Facebook account: « My happiness in unprecedented for the percentage of Jews , houses increased 33% by Silwan »

The godfather of colonization at time of his tour in Silwan after houses seizure

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Colonists’ attacks on Palestinian structures in 2014

Attacks on structures Raids and Seizures Torching Governorate Threats of writing and/or Stones total Demolition and demolition offensive, attempts at pelting destruction racist slogans seizure Jerusalem 0 0 10 1 2 5 18 Hebron 1 0 0 5 0 10 16 Bethlehem 1 1 1 0 1 1 5 Nablus 0 0 0 11 0 1 12 Qalqilya 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Tubas 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Total 4 1 11 17 3 17 53

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

Damage inflected on the residence of Hamayil Price tag colonists torch a farm for sheep husbandry in the family by Adi Ad colonists in Khirbet Abu Falah- Nablus village of Aqraba on July 02,2015 Ramallah on November 23, 2014

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Takeovers and seizers through forgery and fraud The colonial associations active in Jerusalem depend on forgery and fraud to take over the properties of Palestinians in the area through forged documents and Absentees , Property Law. A colonial group from Betar Illit, which is located on confiscated lands from Bethlehem and Husan, announced the takeover of two buildings in Jerusalem namely ( al-Nuzha and the national theater know as al- Hakawati) belonging to Fraitech family.

Defense lawyer said that the purchase is illegal since the owner registered the building as an Islamic endowment (Waqf), the selling of which cannot be made but through refereeing to the Islamic judicial court. He also stated that the Israeli company Jerusalem Golden Star registered 50% ( worth of 600,000USD) of the mortgage under its name while the whole value ranges between 10 - 15 million USD.

Al-Nuzha building declared handed over through purchase

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The Israeli occupation takes over the central post office in the occupied city of Jerusalem

A Jewish organization Ateret Cohanim sent an email with pictures attached to its supporters claiming that the organization bought more than 1000 m2 building that has a strategic location, north Herods Gate in Saladin street. The email reads: «the building will be used as a yeshiva (religious school) and a dormitory for the students before getting The Central Post office claimed bought by the colonial enrolled into military services.» association Ateret Cohanim,Occupied Jerusaelm.

The building is being renovated and the grand opening will be after the Jewish holiday of Passover that starts by mid of April, 2014. Ateret Cohanim asked its supporters to donate for the project.

The story of the building dates back to the fifties of the last century when the Jordanian government built a central Post Office on Waqf lands which the Israeli occupation seized in June 1967. This is not an unprecedented incident in which the Israeli occupation official authorities allow religious organizations to get possession of Palestinian property. For example, the Ministry of Police (Internal Security) made a deal with Ateret Cohanim to empty its station in Ras al-Amud for the favour of the organization in return of building a new police station by Ateret Cohanim in At-Tur area, west of maale Adummim colony. Another example is that the Israeli authorities does not deter Alaad racist groups from seizing pieces of lands and houses in Silwan

UN resolution stated that: «any actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem are illegal and therefore null and void and have no validity whatsoever, and calls upon Israel to cease all such illegal and unilateral measures».

30 Chapter Two

Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

Chapter 2

Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

2.1 Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

2.1.1 Land confiscation:

The story of Palestinian lands confiscation dates back to 1947; more specifically in the aftermath of the UN resolution no.181, which divided historical Palestine(27,093 km2) into two states: the Palestinian state with 44% of the total land area and the Israeli state with 56%. By that time, immigrant Jews had only 8% of Palestine ,s total land area despite being supported by the British mandate. In 1948, Israelis waged a war and occupied 78% (one and half time of the share granted by the UN , resolution for Palestinian ) of Palestine s total land area; 500 Palestinian villages were wiped out and a percentage of only 22% represented in West Bank and Gaza strip was given to Palestinians. Since 1967 and until now , the Israeli occupation seized a vast area of the West Bank and Gaza strip (22%) despite being acknowledged by the UN as the through the resolution no. 6719 on November 29, 2014. Palestine is currently left with a percentage of only 8% due to Israeli colonies, military camps, bypass roads and the apartheid wall

Chronology of the loss of Palestine 33 Chapter 2

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In 2014, Israel Civil Administration, the responsible body of violations against Palestinian land and housing in the West Bank, formed the so-called «Blue Line Staff» that is responsible of declaring privately owned Palestinian lands as «state property» and ratifying confiscation decisions on lands previously declared so. A percentage of 99% (1) of confiscated lands was reported to be given to Israeli colonies for the sake of expansion. The Blue Line Staff is also responsible for conducting surveys on lands; 18 colonial projects were surveyed on an area estimated with 12,840 dunums(2), which renewed confiscation on 3740 dunums from the lands of the West Bank for the favor of expanding four Israeli colonies. For further information, please revisit chapter six of this book. Surveys reached out around 26,548 dunmus in 2013; surveys are usually conducted for the sake of expanding colonies after highlighting borders of confiscated plots and submitting building schemes for new units to the Civil Administration, which in its term ratifies such plans on the contrary with what happens to Palestinians when applying for building permit.

According to the field observations conducted by Land Research Center, the Israeli occupation confiscated 16,470 dunums during 2014 of which 12,504 dunums taken over through 41 military orders, 3,966 dunums taken over by colonists and\or closed by military orders. Military orders came under different titles such like: • Eviction notifications • Orders of extension, borders modifications, and land takeover • Plans subject to approval: Such are published in Palestinian local newspapers and are unclear regarding location and property owner. Not to mention that they are hardly noticeable. These include: 1. Registration of immovable properties 2. Master plans

1 Haaretz News Papers February 09, 2015

2 Last resource.

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Some International conventions and Humanitarian laws pertaining to attacks on land and natural resources are:

Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights States: «All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.»

Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: -- Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. -- No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Ma on colonists uproot 20 trees in al-Shuyaha- Yatta town on January 13, 2014 35 Chapter 2

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Confiscated and\or declared confiscated lands in the West Bank in 2014-by governorate

State Extension, Property Confi- border Confi- Stop- *Plans for Eviction orders no. scation modifi- scation work and colonial Gover- notifi- 196759-; by cation, for construction roads and closures Total norate cations/ renewal of colonial and land military no. residential dunum confiscation groups/ takeover purposes AB/1611/ units order/ societies orders dunum Jerusalem 11 79 0 0 0 179 4 0 273 Hebron 33 811 759 0 0 0 20 0 1623 Bethlehem 2 989 4740 0 0 0 25 0 5756 Ramallah 0 686 0 0 200 0 60 0 946 Jericho 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 50 Nablus 0 478 0 0 0 221 145 100 944 Salfit 4 8 0 1 0 2884 125 0 3021 Qalqilya 0 2058 0 0 0 0 0 0 2058 Tubas 1155 0 0 500 0 0 10 0 1665 Tulkarm 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jenin 0 0 0 0 0 0 141 0 141

Total 1205 5109 5499 501 200 3284 530 150 16477

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014 *Lands transformed into agricultural to serve colonists at the Jordanian borders

36 Confiscation order on 3776 dunums from lands of Bethlehem and Hebron issued on August 25, 2014 Chapter 2

Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

An aerial photo showing the declared confiscated lands in Hebron and Bethlehem

Setting up signs indicating prohibition of using lands in the Hebron village of Surif 37 Chapter 2

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Confiscation order on 10 dunums belonging to al-Fakhouri family in Marah Baqqar- Dura town on November 13, 2014

• Depositing colonial plans and registering lands for favor of colonial companies: Such are published in Palestinian local newspapers and are unclear regarding location and property owner. Not to mention that they are hardly noticeable. These include:

• Master Plans: usually developed with the purpose of expanding the area of a colony or changing the classification of certain areas; such orders are usually designated to already confiscated lands The location declared confiscated in Marrah Baqqar in Heborn which have been expropriated for “public use”; years later, the same lands that were once Palestinian private properties will be handed to Israeli colonists to exploit the way they wish.

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Advertisements of Israeli plans in local newspapers -as a requirement for legalizing any colonial activity- in 2014

Governorate Purpose of advertisement ramn fTreatment of construction construction Agricultural Agricultural recreational wastewater Public use Park and Colonial areas Educational Industrial area Total Roads area area

Jerusalem 4 0 5 0 1 0 2 0 6 Hebron 3 0 1 0 1 0 2 1 3 Bethlehem 3 0 2 0 2 2 4 0 5 Ramallah 3 1 1 1 1 1 6 0 5 Jericho 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Nablus 1 0 1 0 1 2 4 1 4 Salfit 3 0 2 2 2 0 2 1 5 Qalqilya 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Tubas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Total 22 1 13 3 8 5 20 3 34

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center -2014

Depositing a master plan for the colony of Neve Daniel at the expense of al-Khadr town - Bethlemeh on Septemper 24, 2014 39 Chapter 2

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rch Cen sea te e r R - L d R n

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The targeted location according to the master plan no.(6402/)that will confiscate 84 dunums 2.1.2 Destruction of Land and Crops: The Israeli occupation authorities insist on destroying agricultural lands and environment using heinous means to this end. The “Land Research Center” documented the incidents of ravaging land by the occupation in 2014, carried out either for the sole purpose of vandalism and / or for the benefit of its colonial projects. (4452) dunums were destroyed and distributed as follows: • (2521) dunums were ravaged, including (2190) dunums that were swept away in favor of the establishment of Israeli colonies and roads. • (1305) dunums were soaked with sewage by Israeli colonies. • (62) dunums were planted with field crops that were burnt. • (121) dunums were used by colonialists as pastures and / or for releasing wild pigs to destroy crops. • (250) dunums were directly harmed because of military exercises/ trainings. • (36) dunums of irrigation networks were arbitrarily confiscated. • (7) dunums whose plants were poisoned and sprayed with chemicals. 40 • (150) dunums were used as landfill for colonies Chapter 2

Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

Ravaged Palestinian lands in the West Bank, including Jerusalem in 2014 – by governorate and type of assault

Confiscation Soaked Used as and destruction Poisoned Used for Total Gover- Bulldozed with sewage Torched Landfills pasture/ of irrigation with military area / norate / dunums or water/ /dunum \ dunum dunums systems/ chemicals exercises dunum dunums dunum Jerusalem 131 257 0 0 0 0 0 0 388 Hebron 108 0 18 76 26 2 100 0 330 Bethlehem 166 8 0 0 10 0 0 0 184 Ramallah 227 212 2 0 0 0 0 0 441 Jericho 118 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 118 Nablus 257 145 12 45 0 0 100 0 559 Salfit 793 292 0 0 0 0 0 0 1085 Qalqiliya 286 285 0 0 0 0 0 0 571 Tubas 132 0 30 0 0 5 50 150 367 Tulkarm 240 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 262 Jenin 63 84 0 0 0 0 0 0 147

Total 2521 1305 62 121 36 7 250 150 4452

*Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre (LRC)-2014

, Shu fat- Occupied Jerusalem : Ravaging vast area of agricultural lands and cutting down trees for the favor of opening a new colonial road on april,2014 41 Chapter 2

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, A colonist from Mizpe Ya ir grazes his livestock in the plot of citizen Zeyad Younes in Yatta town-Hebron on March 26, 2014

42 Chapter 2

Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

2.1.3 Attacks on Palestinian Trees: Trees, especially olive ones, are considered the pulse The Muslim Caliphate Abu Bakir of Palestinians and a symbol representing history and ordered the army commander, identity. For this very reason, the Israeli occupiers assault at time of Islamic conquests the them using the ugliest of ways including cutting, burning, following : «Don’t uproot, cut poisoning, and ravaging. This approach contradicts with down or torch a tree » human logic and morals. “Land Research Center”

through field research recorded the abuses on trees during 2014 . Attacks targeted (22,511) trees; of which 16,191 were olives. The number of trees that were fully damaged amounted (16,000) trees while (3201) trees were partially so; most of them perennial. Besides, (3310) trees were threatened of being uprooted. The Israeli occupation army and colonists exchange roles in carrying out attacks on trees as it was found out by LRC. More than (140) assaults were perpetrated in 2014, (22) of which were executed by the Israeli occupation army, while (118) assaults were carried out by colonists. The most common target for both was olive trees. Land Research Center documented looting more than (5472) trees after being uprooted in 2014. Colonists plunder trees to cultivate them in their colonies.

The destroyed trees in the West Bank in 2014- by governorate and type of attack: Governorate Torched trees Uprooted trees No. of trees affected by being Notifi- cations of Poisoned Dumped Total Totally Partially Totally Partially with with Waste ravaged uprooted chemicals water trees Jerusalem 0 0 290 43 0 1120 200 0 1653 Hebron 15 0 4120 155 0 0 200 0 4490 Bethlehem 50 0 1260 820 0 220 900 0 3250 Ramallah 41 0 4140 48 0 323 0 0 4552 Jericho 0 0 0 0 0 0 120 0 120 Nablus 397 0 273 274 78 644 0 1000 2666 Salfit 0 22 1028 228 0 478 308 110 2174 Qalqilya 14 0 120 75 0 265 320 0 794 Tubas 0 0 20 0 0 0 120 2200 2340 Tulkarm 0 0 26 0 0 0 0 0 26 Jenin 0 0 266 0 0 180 0 0 446 517 22 11543 1643 78 3230 2168 Total 3310 22511 13186 5406

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center 2014

43 Chapter 2

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Jenin governorate: uprooting and looting 250 olive seedlings at daytime on May 01, 2014

44 Chapter 2

Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

Ma, on colonists uproot 20 trees in al-Shuyaha- Yatta town on January 13, 2014

Yizhar colonist torch 60 aging olive trees in Einabus village-Nablus on July 13, 2014 45 Chapter 2

Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

Yizhar colonists torch 73 olive trees in Huwwara town-Nablus on July 13, 204

2.1.4 Demolition of Cisterns, Reservoirs, Pools and Springs:

Not only does Israel control all water resources in the and confiscates lands containing underground water; water springs and artesian wells, but it also chases Palestinians and continues to demolish and prevent establishing wells and pools for rainwater harvesting. Israeli Occupation Authorities, namely the «Civil Administration - Judea and Samaria - Supreme Council of Organization - the Sub-Committee for Inspection” issue military orders against the construction of wells, and accelerate the process of the issuance of notifications against any that is established in area (C). Besides, any construction of a water cistern or an irrigation network in that area is met with a stop-work order or even demolition without any prior warning; in addition, the placement or even rehabilitation of water pipelines in area ‘C’ is strictly prohibited. In 2014, LRC field observers recorded the demolition of 79 cisterns and pools benefiting at least 85 people and irrigating 660 dunums. In addition, demolition orders were issued for 39 cisterns and pools while 6 water tanks were confiscated. Not to mention the nonstop inspection and constant search for artesian wells and springs of water on the part of Israel. In the case of the implementation of the demolition orders, dozens of Palestinian families and hundreds of dunums of agricultural lands as well as cattle would be badly affected.

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Wells, reservoirs, pools, artesian wells and springs demolished in the West Bank - by governorate Governorate Rain water Groundwater

Confi-scation Total volume Artesian Total Cistern Pool Tank Total of tanks m3 wells

Jerusalem 1 0 0 0 1 30 0 1 Hebron 47* 0 0 0 47 1600 0 47 Bethlehem 2** 0 0 0 2 60 0 2 Ramallah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jericho 0 2 8 0 10 2400 0 10 Nablus 0 3 1** 0 4 70 2 6 Salfit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qalqiliya 1** 0 4 0 5 180 0 5 Tubas 0 0 1 6 7 140 1** 8 Tulkarim 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jenin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 51 5 14 6 76 4480 3 79

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center -2014 * : of which 42 were partially destroyed **: destroyed and dumped by colonists

3 Rubles of a 300m cistern owned by Awad Zughayeir in Farsh al-Hawa-Hebron on September 02, 2014 47 Chapter 2

Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

Demolition signs on a 300m3 cistern owned by Mohammad Rajabi in Khallet al-Sharabati- Hebron on April 30, 2014

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2.1.5 Demolition Threats for Wells, Reservoirs, Pools and Springs:

Wells, reservoirs, pools, artesian wells and springs threatened with demolition and / or attacked by the Israeli occupation in the West Bank, including Jerusalem in 2014

Rain water Ground water

Governorate Total volume Artesian Total Cistern Pool Tank Total m3 wells Hebron 16 3 0 19 3401 0 19 Bethlehem 2 0 0 2 90 0 2 Jericho 0 3 0 3 3400 0 3 Nablus 1 5 1 7 590 0 7 Qalqilya 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Tubas 3 2 0 5 145 0 5 Jenin 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 Total 22 13 1 36 7626 3 39

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center 2014

A agricultural cistern threatened of demolition belonging to citizen Amir Zagharnih and a view of the apartheid wall in al-Ramadin village-Hebron on January 21, 2014 49 Chapter 2

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Hebron,March 03, 2014: the theatened of demolition water pool that belongs to citizen Mohammad Al- Dmairi in the area of Wad al-Mugheer

50 Chapter 2

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Hebron: the targeted pool

Hebron,March 03, 2014: the demolition The order no. 150185 on Zagharnih, s cistern order served on the water pool at Wadi- Almghir 51 Chapter 2

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2.2 Pumping Sewage into Palestinian Towns and Villages:

The following table lists damaged locations due to pumping sewage in the West Bank in 2014

Damaged Colony/ Affected Nature of Location area Olive Remarks Camp trees land (dunum)

A stream with permanent flow leading to the presence of Land surrounding wild pigs, stray dogs and big snakes. This area is located the industrial zone of Atarot within the borders of the apartheid wall which is under Atarot the control of the occupation municipality in Jerusalem .

The colony of Har Adar pumps sewage water into the Khirbet Umm al Har Adar 214 1000 1000 Agricultural area causing crops to die. The colony also pumps the Lahim caught rainwater into the area during winter. The industrial Jaba' and 40 -- -- Unused Damages reach out a length of 2 km zone of Binyamin Har Nabi Samuel 3 120 120 Intermittent stream Samuel Jerusalem 257 1120 1120 Planted with Al-Busah -- Al Khadr Efrat 3 150 -- Intermittent stream grapevines Planted with Betar Wad Fukin 5 70 30 almond and Intermittent stream Elite olive trees Bethlehem 8 220 30 Ras Karkar Nahliel 10 N/A N/A Barren Perennial stream

Al Bireh Pesagot 28 N/A N/A Valley Perennial stream Sha'ar Jaba' 28 N/A N/A Barren Intermittent Stream Binyamin Horsha Al Mazra'a Al Qibliya 13 60 18 Agricultural Perennial stream camp

Al Lubban Al Gharbi Beit Arye 13 40 40 Agricultural Intermittent Stream

Al Lubban Al Gharbi Efrayim 38 45 35 Agricultural Intermittent Stream and Abud Deir Jarir Ofra 18 N/A N/A Barren Intermittent Stream Turmus'ayya Eli 26 80 45 Agricultural Kokhav Kafr Malik 10 N/A N/A Barren Intermittent Stream Hashahar

Dolev and Al Janieh 28 98 46 Agricultural Intermittent Stream Talmon

Ramallah 212 323 184

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Damaged Affected Location Colony/ Camp area Olive Nature of land Remarks trees (dunum) Salim, Deir al Allon Moreh 48 250 180 Agricultural Intermittent Stream Hatab 'Awarta Itamar 21 170 39 Agricultural Intermittent Stream Sabastiya and Shavei 20 34 11 Agricultural Intermittent Stream Ras Qabous Shomron Turmus'ayya Eli 30 60 60 Agricultural Intermittent Stream and Qaryut Qaryut and Shilo 11 50 40 Agricultural Intermittent Stream Talfit Jalud and Shevut Rahel 15 80 80 Agricultural Intermittent Stream Qaryut Nablus 145 644 410 Qarawat Bani Revava 5 100 80 Agricultural Intermittent stream Hassan Qarawat Bani Kiryat 20 60 60 Agricultural Direct damage at 2 km Hassan Natafayim

Mas-ha Etz Efrayim 17 60 60 Agricultural Intermittent Stream

Salfit and Ariel 90 130 120 Agricultural Perennial stream Bruqin

Bruqin Barkan 40 N/A N/A Valley Perennial stream

Bedoel and Ali Kafr ad Dik 40 N/A N/A Valley Perennial stream Zahav

Sarta Maale Israel 9 N/A N/A Valley Perennial stream

Bruqin Bruchin 15 40 34 Agricultural Intermittent Stream

Marda Ariel 12 18 18 Agricultural Intermittent Stream

Salfit 292 478 402

Jinsafut Emanuel 80 60 60 Olive field Intermittent Stream

Karne Kafr Laqif 40 90 60 Agricultural Intermittent Stream Shomron Maale 'Azzun 20 N/A N/A Cropland Intermittent Stream Shomron

Deir Istiya Revava 45 25 20 Agricultural Intermittent Stream

Ras Tira and Alfei Menashe 46 70 70 Agricultural Intermittent Stream Ad Daba'a

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Damaged Affected Location Colony/ Camp area Olive Nature of land Remarks trees (dunum)

Beit Amin Sha'ar 20 0 0 Cropland Intermittent Stream

Kfar Qaddum Kedumim 34 20 20 Agricultural Intermittent Stream Qalqilya 285 265 230

Kafr Sur Salit 11 N/A N/A Barren Intermittent Stream

Shufa Avnei Hefetz 11 N/A N/A Barren Intermittent Stream

Tulkarm 22 0 0 Eastern Residential and Western Miraf 10 0 0 and Intermittent Stream Jalbun agricultural Between Jalbun Ma'ale Gilboa 25 0 0 residential Perennial stream neighborhoods

Zububa Salim camp 17 N/A N/A Cropland Intermittent Stream

Umm ar- Shaked 32 180 40 Agricultural Perennial stream Rihan

Jenin 84 180 40

Total 1305 3230 2416

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center 2014

Kiryat Natafayim colonists pump sewage water into Palestinian lands in Qarawat 54 Bani Hasan on June 13, 2014 Chapter 2

Israeli Violations against Natural Resources

The colony of Kiryat Natafayim

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Jenin ﺟﻧﯾن Tulkarm Tubas طوﺑﺎس طوﻟﻛرم

Qalqiliya Nablus ﻧﺎﺑﻠس ﻗﻠﻘﯾﻠﯾﺔ Salfit ﺳﻠﻔﯾت

Ramallah Jericho أرﯾﺣﺎ رام ﷲ

Jerusalem اﻟﻘدس

Bethlehem ﺑﯾت ﻟﺣم

Hebron اﻟﺧﻠﯾل

Roads Network Annex. & Exp. Wall Exsiting

Planned

Under Construction

Pal. Built-up Area

Aggressor Colonies Israeli Colonies · Dead Sea 1:650,000

56 Chapter Three

Colonists’ Attacks on Palestinian Lands and Properties

Chapter 3

Colonists’ Attacks on Palestinian Lands and Properties

3.1 colonial gangs that were formed to harm Palestinians The year 2014 documented the most brutal and heart breaking memory in Palestinians, (1) record; colonists carried out the most heinous crime where they abducted and torched the child Mohammad Abu Khdair alive. Near in time, colonists also lynched driver Yousef al-Ramoni while on duty , not mentioning other attacks against unarmed civilians, most of whom are kids. Attacks and assaults are reported to be carried out by colonial gangs. Some of These groups are:

1. Al Tilal Gang: One of its members was «Baruch Goldstein» who committed the Ibrahim Mosque Massacre on February 25, 1994 when he opened fire on helpless worshippers praying in the Mosque; tens of Palestinians were killed and injured as a result. Al Tilal group was formed as a response to the call of the radical Prime Minister, Sharon, who encouraged colonists to take over the peaks of mountains in the West Bank and inhabit them without waiting for a permission nor a building permit from the Israeli authorities and even without proper infrastructure in a bid to create facts on the ground and foil the Palestinians› efforts to establish a state of their own.

2. Price-tag group: A terrorist group that is comprised of right wing activists carrying out systematic and/or ‹strategic› attacks all over the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the 1948-occupied Palestine under the protection and support of the Israeli Army. The price-tag campaign includes attacks on Palestinian-owned property like lands, crops and vehicles as well as attacks on religious sites and writing enticing and offensive slogans among others. One of its infamous slogans is «A good Arab is a dead one» which openly calls for murder and racism. Most price taggers are Yeshiva students aged between 1823- years. They first appeared in 2008 and have been growing since.

3. Women in Green: A gang whose chairman is Nadia Matar , a Zionist activist. The group targets agricultural lands in Bethlehem in general and al Khadr in particular.

(1) Nadia Matar is a radical immigrant to Israel. She hails from Belgian and is now the chairman of Women in Green in Israel, a movement that calls for killing Palestinians and organizing campaigns to cultivate Palestinian land and then confiscate it . Matar tours the U.S. in a campaign to mobilize donations to support Israel Fund that backs up radical militias in turn.

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Colonists’ Attacks on Palestinian Lands and Properties

At the time of fighting between Muslims and non-Muslims, Abu Bakr, the first Caliph after the Prophet, would advise his commanders saying: “I command you ten things. Learn them by heart: Don’t betray, defraud (by stealing the spoils of war), or break treaties. Don’t mutilate, kill women, young children, or the elderly. Do not uproot or burn palm trees. Do not cut down fruitful trees, slaughter sheep, cows or camels except for eating. You will come across people secluded in monasteries, so leave them and what they are devoted to.” (Tabari, Vol.3) Needless to say, Israel does the aforementioned literally.

3.2 Palestinians, losses due to Colonists Attacks: Attacks against Palestinians and their properties were perpetrated by individuals or Jewish groups under the protection of the Israeli occupation authorities through its official, political, religious and military bodies. Attacks often took place under the protection and blessing of the Israeli Occupation Army. LRC recorded 850 attacks during 2014; an 24% increase was noted in comparison with 2014. Those attacks include: -- Torching, raiding, damaging, or seizing 188 residences. -- Torching, breaking, uprooting, ravaging, or poisoning over 15,985 trees. -- Abusing 300 citizens including attacking 97 farmers while they were in fields or on their way.

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-- Expelling 55 agricultural families from their, lands; LRC documented 147 attacks on famers in fields as follows : • 135 cases Physical assaults • 58 cases of stone pelting • 33 cases of deliberate run over( some ended up with injuries, death or failure) • 14 cases of abduction and\or abduction attempts • 15 cases of bullets injuries • 15 cases of eyes and face injuries due to pepper spray • 5 cases of stabbing • 25 other attakcs -- Damaging 253 Palestinian vehicles. -- Killing 40 ruminants and 3500 birds. -- Damaging 8 mosque, 9 shrines, 4 cemeteries, and 2 churches and monasteries. -- Seizing or destroying 8 water springs. -- Attacking 5 educational institutes. -- Closing 48 roads and villages› entrances over the West Bank. -- 120 Expansion cases on Israeli colonies.

Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.

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3.3 Types of Attacks on Palestinians and Their Property:

Attacks on Palestinian individuals by type – in 2014 Resi-dences+ Governorate instit-utions Educational Indivi-duals Vehicles (*) structures Religious lcso places of sites and worship closures closures sources Roads Roads Lands Water Total (**) (*)

Jerusalem 15 8 44 8 287 0 0 9 3 374 Hebron 20 11 34 2 5 0 3 8 10 93 Bethlehem 6 21 15 3 2 2 1 3 10 63 Ramallah 3 24 15 7 1 0 0 5 12 67 Jericho 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 19 22 Nablus 11 26 16 9 4 4 1 12 16 99 Salfit 2 18 4 1 1 0 0 4 17 47 Qalqiliya 2 12 5 3 0 1 0 4 20 47 Tubas 1 3 2 1 0 1 0 0 5 13 Tulkarm 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 4 10 Jenin 0 6 2 1 0 0 0 2 4 15 Total 60 133 140 36 300 8 5 48 120 850

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014 (*) for more information, please check out the following tables that give more details of attacks on farmers, shepherds and vehicles in 2014. (**): attacks on lands included: (pumping sewage water, spraying chemicals, ravaging, and attacks on trees)

Signs of setting the house of citizen Al-Adra on fire in al-Dirat village-Yatta town on 62 December 31, 2014 Chapter 3

Colonists’ Attacks on Palestinian Lands and Properties

3.3.1 Attacks on Palestinian Individuals:

Attacks on Palestinian individuals in 2014- by type and governorate Gover- Stone Running Pepper Other Beating Kidnapping Shooting Stabbing Total norate pelting over spraying attacks Jerusalem 23 1 8 5 1 13 5 0 56 Hebron 62 6 5 4 3 2 0 0 82 Bethlehem 13 1 5 3 0 0 0 10 32 Ramallah 10 17 3 0 9 0 0 4 43 Jericho 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 Nablus 7 28 4 0 1 0 0 0 40 Salfit 5 5 1 2 0 0 0 0 13 Qalqiliya 5 0 2 0 1 0 0 10 18 Tubas 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 4 Tulkarm 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 Jenin 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 Total 135 58 33 14 15 15 5 25 300

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

The kid Taha Tufaha that colonists attempted to abduct while he was walking down the street with his family in Shu, fat on July 29, 2014 63 Chapter 3

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The assaulted kid Tareq Abu Khdair from Shu, fat- Jerusalem

The kid Mousa Zalloum that colonists attempted to abduct on June 30 ,2014

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Colonists’ Attacks on Palestinian Lands and Properties

3.3.2 Attacks on Palestinian farmers and shepherds:

Number of attacks on Palestinian shepherds and farmers by location during 2014:

Governorate Removal Attack Jerusalem 0 0 Hebron 17 36 Bethlehem 11 10 Ramallah 0 16 Jericho 0 1 Nablus 6 17 Salfit 5 5 Qalqiliya 11 5 Tubas 0 2 Tulkarm 5 5 Jenin 0 0 Total 55 97

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

Death of 15 sheep due to sprayed chemicals by colonists of Roi in Tubas on May 17, 2014 65 Chapter 3

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3.3.3 Attacks on Palestinian Vehicles:

Attacks on Palestinian vehicles by type and governorate during 2014 Slashing tires, writing Governorate Torching racist slogans and Total damaging Jerusalem 0 114 114 Hebron 0 16 16 Bethlehem 0 16 16 Ramallah 1 10 11 Jericho 0 0 0 Nablus 2 73 75 Salfit 1 0 1 Qalqiliya 0 4 4 Tubas 0 5 5 Tulkarm 0 5 5 Jenin 0 6 6 Total 4 249 253

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- Land Research Center-2014

66 Nahliel colonists torch a1997 Kia Lanos belonging to Iyad Eid from Bitillo-Ramallah on July 28, 2014 Chapter 3

Colonists’ Attacks on Palestinian Lands and Properties

The aforementioned attacks on Palestinian lands and properties, which were carried out for the sake of implementing colonial plans and imposing de facto on the ground, were documented by Land Research Center. Not only that, attacks on holy places and shrines were frequently monitored; especially attacks on al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem , Ibrahimi mosque (Tomb of the patriarchs) in Hebron and the «Shrine of Josef» in Nablus. Noteworthy, the shrine was raided around 23 times; the nearby roads had to be closed to secure colonists route to the shrine.

Jewish Extremism and State Terrorism Exercised on the Palestinian People .. The Israeli Army Calls on Revenge on Arabs

Colonists and the Israeli military have been sending hatred-enticing messages against Palestinians in ways that are incompatible with humanity and only help inflame more extremism. Undoubtedly, the Israeli entity with all its different bodies support right-wing activists, and that has resulted in increasing the number of vandalism cases and more explicit expression of religious and racial radicalism. An 24% increase in violations number was noted in comparison between 2013- 2014.

During July 2014, the staff of field observation at Land Research Center documented the following: «colonists hanged hateful slogans in Hebrew that read ‹Death to Arabs›, Jewish blood will not be wasted› and ‹This is a safe stand› where most of them are displayed along the bypass roads that connect large colonies together like Gush and Etzion crossroads and Ariel crossroads among other vibrant areas for colonists. , LRC s camera has recorded colonists hanging up banners along bypass road no.5 that is adjacent to Ariel colony. The banners call on more hatred of Arabs in an encouragement to colonists to commit vandalism and extreme acts.

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Nablus:The hatred-inciting graffiti and signs set up aligning bypass No. 5 that is adjacent to Areil colony

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The doctrine of extremism is growing: It should be marked that the present-day radical and religious extremism has its own roots in the Israeli ideology as most rabbis teach kids religious extremism and encourage killing Arabs. They even went as far as to claim that killing Arabs ensure Jews would go to paradise. The Israeli colonies in the West Bank, such as Gush Etzion, Ariel and Kiryat Arba›, contain religious schools that preach radicalism, religious superiority and extremism. They form the bedrock of hatred that has produced right-wing gangs as a result, the likes of the «price-tag» group that has committed vandalism, set fire to mosques , and destroyed Palestinian property among others. What is really both odd and worth condemnation is that Israel accuses Palestinians of being radical and extreme while projecting colonists as peaceful people though it has been proven the contrary and many incidents have revealed the complicity of the Israeli occupation including its various institutions that does support the likes of these right-wing activists and help facilitate their work. The Israeli media tries to send a different message, that the Palestinians are the bloodthirsty murderess versus the innocent colonists. And such messages are distributed on the international outlets to falsify facts. Noteworthy, extreme colonists have been attacking Palestinians and their properties for years but the rhythm and volume of attacks have increased during the past five years. Organized gangs in 2013, according to LRC field research, carried out more than 523 attacks against Palestinians and their properties. Those attacks have inflicted harm and damage on 160 houses and facilities as well as on 23,581 trees, 355 citizens, 295 vehicles, 80 sheep, 11 wells, 12 mosques, 9 religious shrines, in addition to 11 tombs and 4 churches.

Thousands of Israeli soldiers have published pictures and slogans against Arabs and calling for revenge The Israeli army has shown its real and ugly face to the world and has unabatedly expressed its support and complicity with extreme gangs as thousands of Israeli soldiers, male and female, have called to exact revenge on Arabs by slaughtering them and hailing bullets on them.

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Some of the pictures published by the «most ethical army» in the world on Facebook

Even their kids call on murdering Arabs!!

Revenge!

Blood means more blood… We want to take revenge. Support the Israeli army to win! - Colonists mottos We do not forget…We want to take 70 revenge - Colonists mottos Chapter 3

Colonists’ Attacks on Palestinian Lands and Properties

Palestinians will never wipe out the memory of the most heinous crime of modern history; the torch of kid Mohammad Abu Khdair alive: At dawn of July 04, 014, the child Muhammad Abu Khdair, age 17, did not know that he would be the victim of one of the most heinous crimes ever committed by the Israeli occupation that is not different from the Nazis brutality: Abu Khdair, went out of his house at dawn to wait for his cousin Tariq Abu Khdair to head to the local mosque of Shu›fat to perform the dawn prayers together. Surveillance cameras showed that at 3:45a.m., a white car pulled over near where Abu Khdair was and two men approached him. Muhammad was by himself when the two men started a conversation. Minutes later, they attacked Muhammad and forced him to get in the car. Muhammad tried to escape but the barbarity of the two made them manage to have him in the car which fled rapidly towards the colony of Ramot. The Martyr kid Mohammad Abu Khdair who was torched alive

Muhammad›s family came to know their child is missing when Tariq arrived at the agreed place and did not find Muhammad in addition to eyewitnesses who testified that they saw a car driving fast and leaving the area. People called the Israeli police that showed up, played the video of the cameras that show the colonists abducting the child.

After four hours of being missed, the corpse of Muhammad was found burned in a forest on the edge of Jerusalem city, specifically in an area known as «Givat Shaul» built on confiscated land of Deir Yassin. The DNA test made people sure it was Muhammad›s dead body that was found. According to forensic medicine and autopsy, Muhammad was severely beaten all over his body and had a serious head injury before being «burnt alive»! Muhammad was forced to drink petrol before colonists set him on fire.

This atrocious crime against childhood and humanity is a clear manifestation of the hatred and racism Jewish colonists have for Palestinians especially while being constantly encouraged by right-wing Israelis and decision makers to harass and murder Palestinians.

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92% of Palestinian complaints submitted against colonists and police, ignored

According to the data of the Israeli Yesh Din «There is Law» association, 92% of Palestinian complaints submitted against colonists and police end up closed and\or not considered with no decision made in that regard and\or sentences inflected.

According to the association report, only 10% of the submitted complaints against colonists attacks in the West Bank end up with written indictments given to the attackers whereas 90% of the complaints get closed or ignored. The report mentioned that: «the way Israeli police and judicial system deal with Palestinian complaints is characterized by irresponsibility and lack of professionalism».

It should be mentioned that more than 1,045 complaints were submitted through the aforementioned association since 2005. The complaints mostly included shootings, stone throwing, torching, trees cutoff, livestock and crops theft, building on Palestinian land, threats and assault by colonists.

How could complaints get considered when attacks are carried out in presence of Israeli occupation authorities ?

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Chapter Four

Siege and Blockade

Chapter 4

Siege and Blockade

Siege and Blockade: The Israeli Occupation Authorities continued imposing an illegal siege on the Palestinian territories to implement a social and economic de facto on civilians, restraining them from movement and banning them other rights. The Authorities also imposed restrictions on trade including importing, basic goods for survival and exporting agricultural and industrial goods. A clear example is manifested in the besieged Gaza strip, which has a maritime and terrestrial siege imposed on. Not only that, the West Bank became totally isolated from Jerusalem and the occupied lands of 1948. Collective punishment has been one of Israel’s most common and unjust of policies. An example of this policy is that in 2014 alone, Israel has set up over 498 checkpoints and military towers, blocked 40 main roads and/or agricultural roads, and opened 72 bypasses which penetrate Palestinian towns and villages to connect Israeli colonies in the West Bank. There are different types of road blocks but all of them serve a sole purpose which is restricting Palestinians movement and harassing them under the well-consumed pretext of “security reasons”.

Types of checkpoints:

1. Borders, crossovers, and checkpoints that separate the West Bank from Jerusalem and the rest of Occupied Palestine. 2. Road blocks: Iron gates and cement blocks which are installed at the entrances of Palestinian towns and villages and they are fixed checkpoints. 3. Earth mounds: used for blocking agricultural roads and side routes. Earth is taken from nearby plots of land. 4. Iron gates: there are two types of iron gates : a) At the entrances of towns and villages. b) Placed on the Annexation and Separation Wall; Palestinian farmers have to pass through these gates in order to gain access to their agricultural lands. They first have to obtain special permits. 5. Flying Checkpoints: random checkpoints placed by Israeli patrols or colonial groups.

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International conventions and laws regarding freedom of movement which Israel unabatedly violates: Article (3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”. Article 5: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. Article 9: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile”. Article 13: Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, no one shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation.” Article 9: “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.

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4.1 Road blocks in 2014:

Road blocks and barriers in the West Bank governorates including Jerusalem in 2014 according to its type (except for the barriers in (H2) in Jerusalem and Hebron and the gates of the Separation Wall)

Type Governorate Cement Fixed Flying Earth Watch Iron gates Total blocks checkpoints checkpoints mounds towers Jerusalem 5 6 0 2 1 18 32 Hebron 7 2 3 38 14 15 79 Bethlehem 2 3 2 2 6 13 28 Ramallah 11 6 0 19 16 8 60 Jericho 0 3 0 6 1 12 22 Nablus 0 9 0 12 11 7 39 Salfit 3 3 0 9 10 8 33 Qalqilya 0 2 0 4 6 5 17 Tubas 0 1 0 3 2 0 6 Tulkarm 2 2 0 4 2 3 13 Jenin 0 1 0 11 3 1 16 Total 30 38 5 110 72 90 345

Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations Team- LRC-2014

The Israeli occupation army enforces closure on eight agricultural roads in Ya’bad village on June 18, 2014 78 Chapter 4

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*Img source: operation.dove

During

The road linking al-Dayrat village to ( Khallet al-Mayyeih, Irfa’yah, Um Lisfa, al-Buweib) blocked by earth mounds on June 18, 2014

After

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The Israeli occupation embarks on expanding the checkpoint at the northern entrance of Salfit on November 06, 2014

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The occupation troops shuts down Deir Istiya western entrance on July 22, 2014

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The Israeli occupation army enforces closure on eight agricultural roads in Ya’bad village on June 18, 2014

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The Israeli occupation army enforces closure on eight agricultural roads in Ya’bad village on June 18, 2014

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A Map of Israeli checkpoint by 2014.

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4.2 The Israeli Annexation and Expansion Wall (segregation wall): 4.2.1 Background Information about the Wall: In June 2002, the Israeli Government whose prime minister was Ariel Sharon approved the construction of a wall over the northern, western, and southern borders of the West Bank to separate the West Bank from “Israel”. Israelis claimed that the wall was a must for security reasons, a claim that is used for every Israeli war, house demolition, prohibition, and any other sort of violation. In truth, the wall was just another means to annex and capture as much Palestinian land as possible as well as alienating as many Palestinians as possible. Many might think the wall was built over the armistice line (also known as the Green Line) drawn after the Israeli conquest of Palestine in 1948 to separate between Israel and the rest of the West Bank and Gaza. However, the snake-shaped wall has diverted from the line to penetrate the West Bank to devour and annex as much land as possible.

4.2.2 The Wall in Numbers: According to the new update of information in the Geographic Information System (GIS) unit in LRC based on data provided by Monitoring and Documenting Israeli Violations team, the Wall is (781, 429 meter) , distributed as follows: • 467,379 meters of already built parts. • 52,609 meters are of under construction sections. • 244,117 meters of planned sections • 9,469 meters of amended sections • 7,280 meters are ordered to be dismantled by an Israeli court›s ruling • 575 meters added to the original plan • In case Israel proceeds with erecting the wall, it will isolate 723709 dunums. • 94 Palestinian communities were isolated from its surroundings (48 fully isolated). • isolating 103 Israeli colonies including 74 that were annexed to the “State of Israel”. • In 2013, 33 military orders were issued for the sake of the Wall and targeted 6420 dunums. • In 2014, 24 military orders were issued for the sake of the Wall and targeted dunums

4.2.3 The Status of the Wall in 2014: In 2014, the Wall went under small modifications as sections of it were either built or amended in 18 locations in the governorates of Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah and Qalqilya).

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The locations where modifications and/or erection of the Wall took place in 2014 Palestinian locations where Locations of confiscated Type of modification or Governorate the Wall is being constructed areas construction Demolishing 15 shops for the Jerusalem 1 Shu’fat favor of the wall Al-Buweib Planned to be implemented Khashem ed-Daraj Planed to be implemented Hebron 5 Al-Daqiqa Planned to be implemented Khirbet Tawil al-Shih Planned to be implemented Al-Ramadin Under construction Beit Jala New fence added Al-Walajih Under construction Bethlehem 5 Al-Khader Already built parts Al-Beida Already built parts Riha Already built parts Amud Under construction Ramallah 3 Al-Lubban al-Maghribi Under construction Bil’in Amended parts Jayyus Dismantled parts Qalqilya 3 Nevi Elyas Dismantled parts Falamya Dismantled parts Total 17

*Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre (LRC).

Beituniya commercial crossing and a view of the apartheid wall on Beituniya lands 86 Chapter 4

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4.2.4 The status of terminals and gates of the Wall in 2014 The gates and crossings of the Wall in the West Bank in 2014- by type:

Type Governorate *Gates in the apartheid wall Crossings in the apartheid wall Total Jerusalem 18 9 27 Hebron 39 4 43 Bethlehem 7 5 12 Ramallah 10 4 14 Jericho 1 0 1 Nablus 0 0 0 Salfit 7 1 8 Qalqilya 13 2 15 Tubas 1 0 1 Tulkarm 11 4 15 Jenin 11 3 14 Total 118 32 150 *Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre (LRC).

, Nablus: Israeli machineries at time of setting up a watchtower at Za tara 87 checkpoint on March 17, 2014 Chapter 4

Siege and Blockade

Terminals (crossings) and their types in 2014- by governorate Name No. Type Other name Atarot Terminal 1 Workers, goods, Israeli vehicles Za'ayyem Terminal 1 Workers, goods, Israeli vehicles People of and al Eizariya in East Zetem- Zayton Terminal 1 Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives Terminal 1 Workers, goods, Israeli vehicles Bekorim Jaba' Terminal 1 Workers and Israeli vehicles Kiryat Sever Shu'fat Terminal 1 Workers and Israeli vehicles Jerusalem 6 Tarqumiya Terminal 1 Workers, goods, Israeli vehicles Lakhesh Mitar Terminal- Beersheba 1 People, building materials, Israeli vehicles A terminal near al Ramadin 1 People, building materials, Israeli vehicles A Terminal near Yatta and As Samu' 1 People, building materials, Israeli vehicles Hebron 4 Mazmoria Terminal 1 People= (inhabitants; residents) Terminal of Rachel's Tomb 300 1 Workers, goods, Israeli vehicles, and tourists Terminal of tunnels 1 Commercial, people, visitors Al Walaja Terminal 1 People, visitors Al Jab'a Terminal 1 Visitors Husan Terminal 1 Workers, Israeli vehicles Bethlehem 6 Ni'lin Terminal 1 Workers, Israeli vehicles Gilboa' Terminal Beit Sira Terminal 1 Lamid Hih Terminal Commercial; used for transporting to/ from Bitounia Terminal 1 Palestine goods Mowad'in 1 Workers, goods, Israeli vehicles Ramallah 4 'Azzun Terminal 1 People, goods, Israeli vehicles Geljulia Terminal 1 Visitors Eyal-Qalqiliya Terminal 1 Workers, goods, Israeli vehicles Qalqiliya 3 Jubara (Tennim) Terminal 1 People Uwaav Terminal Baqa Ash Sharqiya Terminal 1 People, visitors Tennim Terminal Sha'ar Efrayim-Tulkarm 1 Workers, goods, Israeli vehicles Sha'ar Efrayim (Pharaoh) 1 People, visitors Kafr Qasim Terminal 1 Workers Tulkarm 5 Rihan and Barta'a Terminal 1 Pedestrians, vehicles, goods Beesan Terminal 1 People, visitors Al Jalama-Gilboa Terminal 1 Workers Betar Terminal Jenin 3 Total 31 *Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre (LRC)-2014. 88 Chapter 4

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Gilbwa’ terminal founded in the apartheid wall in Ni’lin-Ramallah

Bitar terminal founded on the lands of al-Jalmih village- Jenin 89 Chapter Five

Israeli Violations against Islamic and Christian Religious Sites

Chapter 5

Israeli Violations against Islamic and Christian Religious Sites

5.1 Attacks on Religious Sites

Surat Al-Haj verse 40, Holy Quran « Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory(39). [They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, «Our Lord is Allah .» And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.»

Rabbis call on destroying all that is not Jewish and killing all but who is Jew. The Israeli religious discrimination now targets Christians and Islamic sites and never distinguish between churches and mosques or shrines and cemeteries Violations and attacks were mostly represented in torching, destroying, and writing hatred inciting slogans. The Holy Quran was dishonored by torching where discriminative slogans reached out the Muslim and Christian icons ; Jesus and prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H). • Islamic and Christian religious sites especially places of Israeli troops firing tear gas canisters at Muslim worshipers in Al-Aqsa mosque worship are considered sacred. Holy books alongside with compound international and humanitarian laws and conventions stated the full prohibition of attacking religious sites. • At the time of fighting between Muslims and non-Muslims, Abu Bakr, the first Caliph after the Prophet, would advise his commanders saying: «You will come across people secluded in monasteries, so leave them and what they are devoted to.» (Tabari, Vol.3) • The Zionist Israeli occupation does not respect religions; In 2014, the Israeli Occupation alongside colonists carried out

305 attacks against mosques, shrines monasteries, cemeteries July-2014 : A demolished mosque in the and churches as follows: aftermath of the war on Gaza • 270 mosques were destroyed, 73 of which were entirely demolished in the aftermath of the War on Gaza(1) during July-August 2014. • 16 mosques were desecrated via break-ins, torching, writing hatred-inciting slogans, demolition, and threats of demolition .(2) • 5 mosques were attacked in the occupied territories of 1948 namely ( torching Abu Bakr mosque in Eraq al-Shabab-Um al-Fahem , desecrating al-Rahmeh mosque in al-Fraidees village by , writing discriminative slogans, and demolishing al-Shura, al-Rashedin, and Wadi al-Ni am mosques in the occupied Negev)(3)

1. Source: Al-Aqsa association for heritage 2. Source: Field Observations – Monitoring Israeli Human Rights Violations 92 3. Source: Al-Aqsa association for heritage Chapter 5

Israeli Violations against Islamic and Christian Religious Sites

Seven cemeteries targeted; Three in the West Bank and Jerusalem:

• On February 08, 2014 , a group of fanatic colonists carried out an attack, represented in desecrating 15 tombs in the cemetery of the depopulated village of al-Mzair a. • On April, 15, 2014, the Israeli occupation army accompanied by the Authority of Antiquities looted the interior of a archeological cemetery in the area of Deir Sharf-Nablus and ran some illegal excavation works on the site. • On April 23, 2014, an attack was reported on al-Yusufeih cemetery, east of al-Aqsa mosque ; discriminative slogans were written inside of the cemetery. • On May 26, 2014 Price tag gangsters wrote discriminative slogans in the cemetery of Martyr Izzedein al-Qassam in Jaffa and threw an ear of a pig in there. • On June 17, 2014, Al-Aqsa association warned from a plan that targets al-Qassam cemetery with confiscation and selling parts of it to build a commercial complex in the area. • On August 26, 2014 a musical event and booze-drinking competition were held on the ruins of, , Ma,mn Allah cemetery in Jerusalem.

• On September, 21, 2014 the Israeli occupation demolished 20tombs in the cemetery of al-Shuhadaa in the area of Lion s Gate –Jerusalem . • On December 25, 2014, al-Aqsa association revealed a plan that aims at opening a pub on the ruins of Ma mn Allah cemetery.

, Workers from Nature Authority demolished 20tombs in the cemetery of al-Shuhadaa in the area of Lion›s Gate –Jerusalem on September 21, 2014. 93 Chapter 5

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Six violation cases against Christian holy site were reported as follows:

• April 01, 2014: Price tag gang wrote discriminative slogans on Rafat monastery, west Jerusalem

• April 29, 2014: a threat message including profanity sent to a bishop in the city of Nazareth by a fanatic colonist

• April 29, 2014: a number of Jewish people attacked the church of al-Tabighah on the shore of Tabaria lake and broke the cross and some chairs inside.

• May 09, 2014: Price tag gang wrote discriminative slogans near the Roman church in the of Jerusalem .

• May 23, 2014: fanatic Jews wrote abusive slogans about Jesus on a wall nearby a church in Beir al-Saba, area.

• May 25, 2014: Abusive slogans about Jesus and prophet Mohammad were written in al-Llid city in synchronization with the Pope, s visit to the country . Talmudic shrines :

During 2014, the Israeli occupation alongside colonists invested all efforts to take over endowment lands and change them into Talmudic shrines. The Israeli occupation authorities set up fake tombs on a endowment land, west al-Aqsa mosque where they frequently broke into Solomon Pools in Bethlehem area. Colonists on the other hand repeatedly broke into the Islamic shrine of Josef, attempting to make it Jewish and to hold prayers and rituals inside of it.

According to the data of Land Research Center, the Israeli occupation authorities and colonists carried out violations on 144 mosque from the period between 1967 and 2014, of which 16 mosques in the West Bank and Jerusalem; 30 churches; and 2 monasteries in 2014.

Setting up fake tombs in al-Slowdha area- Silwan neighborhood on September 2014 94 Chapter 5

Israeli Violations against Islamic and Christian Religious Sites

5.1.1 Violation against al-Aqsa mosque and worshipers during 2014:

The year of 2014 witnessed the time division of al- Aqsa mosque through unrevealed procedures; the mosque frequently got emptied from Muslim worshipers to allow Jews instead. In an unprecedented incident, al-Aqsa mosque got shut down for the first time since 1967; attacks and violations were carried out against the mosque including torching, destroying, and break-ins. This came in synchronization with the break-ins carried out by Israeli members, politicians and heads of religious parties. As a result, Muslim worshipers were denied access to the mosque and sever punishments like isolating were inflected on citizens.

Violation against al-Aqsa mosque and worshipers during 2014:

1. Hours from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m. were assigned to religious Jews at the expense of Muslim worshipers.

2. 280 cases of break-ins carried out by colonists under the protection of the occupation army were reported. More than 12,892 colonists were reported to participate in such violations ; especially during the following religious festivals : (1817 colonists broke into al-Aqsa mosque during the Shavuot festival on June, (1355) colonists broke into al-Aqsa mosque during Sukkot festival on October, (1300) colonists broke into the al-Aqsa mosque during Pesach festival on April, (1250) colonists broke into al-Aqsa mosque during Purim festival on March.

3. 75 cases of entry banning for Muslim to al-Aqsa mosque were reported in addition to limiting entry to it for certain age of worshipers that is 50 years. People of West Bank and Gaza are denied access to Jerusalem generally and to al-Aqsa mosque specifically.

4. Break-ins carried out by Israeli Knesset members, politicians and heads of religious parties namely ( radical rabbi Yahuda Glik, Knesset deputy Moshe Filgin, Jerusalem mayor Nir Barakat, Minister of Housing Ore Ariel, minister The Israeli Occupation Forces security Ishaq Ahronovetch and rabbis from the temple third institution) notably escalated.

5. On October 30, 2014 , a first time shut down on al-Aqsa mosque was imposed since 1967. Muslim worshipers were banned from holding prayers inside of it.

6. Israeli Police troops desecrated al-Aqsa mosque through break-ins and firing rubber-coated bullets and sound bombs at worshipers. On November 05, 2014, police troops vandalized the interior of the mosque where carpets caught fire during the attack.

7. Imposing a set of punitive sanctions on Palestinian women and learners such like isolating them away from the mosque and beating them up at its entrances.

8. 300 citizens were isolated away from al-Aqsa mosque for periods ranging between a week to 6 months; periods are subject to extension.

9. Minister of interior security Ishaq Ahronovetch deposited a plan to set up electronic gates at the entrances of al-Aqsa mosque to guarantee best closure and control on it.

4. resource: Wadi-Helwah center - Selwan 95 Chapter 5

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Scenes of break-ins on al-Aqsa mosque

Img resource: palessitnian Agency Safa website

Groups of colonists during a tour in the claimed Temple Mount

Img resource: Arab online website 96 Chapter 5

Israeli Violations against Islamic and Christian Religious Sites

Banning Palestinians from accessing al-Aqsa mosque for holding prayers.

Img resource: Palestinian Media Center website

Img resource: Palestinian Media Center website 97 Chapter 5

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The wall never stops Palestinian from accessing Al-Aqsa mosque

98 Chapter 5

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5.1.2 The Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and Constant Attempts at Judaization

Not a single Palestinian will ever forget the Massacre committed The table shows the times of banning by the radical Zionist Baruch Goldstein on February 25, 1994, the Adhan in 2014: when he opened fire at Muslims praying at the mosque, killing tens Month Occurrences and injuring many. An incident that also resulted in the division of January 48 the mosque into two parts. The Israeli government continued all February 44 attempts at Judaizing the mosque and imposed measures on the Mosque that include banning the Adhan (Muslim call for prayers) March 50 April 60 Israeli violations and attacks on the Ibrahimi Mosque during May 53 2014 included: June 51 • April 01, 2014, colonists set up benches and tables in the July 37 eastern side of the Ibrahimi mosque August 58 September 60 • Benjamin Netanyahu on October 2014 ratified a plan to build October 61 a sidewalk and a roof in addition to installing an elevator for November 50 people of special needs in the Jewish sector. December 52 • The Israeli occupation authorities banned the Adhan (call Total 624 for prayer) 624 times during 2014 under the claim of noise- making . Source: Islamic Waqf – Hebron

Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron

99 Chapter 5

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5.1.3 Targeting 144 mosques and churches since 1967

The table shows the number of attacks on mosques from 1967 to 2014 in the West Bank and Jerusalem - by governorate Governarate No. of mosques Jerusalem 28 Hebron 31 Bethlehem 13 Ramallah 8 Jericho 2 Nablus 17 Salfit 9 Qalqilya 0 Tubas 1 Tulkarm 0 Jenin 5 Total 114

*Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre -2014

The table displays the number of mosques attacked in 2014 in the West Bank and Jerusalem- by type

Aggression Perpetrators No. of Gover- Destroying Defilement, attacked Demo- Threat of Israeli norate and Burning writing offensive Colonists mosques lition demolition army smashing slogans Jerusalem 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 Hebron 6 0 1 2 0 3 5 1 Bethlehem 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Ramallah 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 Jericho 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nablus 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 Salfit 3 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 Qalqilya 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tubas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tulkarm 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jenin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 16 2 2 4 3 5 10 6

*Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre-2014 100 Chapter 5

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Names of attacked mosques in the West Bank including Jerusalem in 2014: Jerusalem: Al Aqsa Mosque, al-Rahamah mosque- at-Tur area The Ibrahimi mosque-Hebron, al-Omari; Omar Bin al-Khattab; al-Nabi Younes mosques Hebron: in , Khirbet Ghwain mosque- al-Samou' town, and al-Nur mosque in Tapuah town. Bethlehem: Bilal ibn Rabah mosque Ramallah: Al-Hadi Mohammad mosque (al-Bireh), Othamn Bin Affan/ al-Mughir town Nablus: Khirbet al-Taweel mosque and Abu Bakir as-Siddik mosque in Aqraba Ali Bin Abi Talib mosque( Deir Istiya), Omar Bin al-Khattab and Al-Junid mosques in Salfit: Qarawat Bani Hasan area.

The table shows the number of churches and monasteries attacked in 2014 in the West Bank and Jerusalem - by type

Aggression Perpetrators No. of Defilement, Gover- Destroying The Israeli attacked Demolition writing norate burning and looting others occupation Colonists churches orders offensive content army slogans Jerusalem 25 1 3 18 1 2 9 16 Bethlehem 3 0 0 0 2 1 2 1 Ramallah 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 Jericho 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Total 30 1 3 19 4 3 12 18

*Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre-2014

Jerusalem Saint John Old Church, the Church of Holy Sepulcher, All Nations Church, Roman Orthodox Monastery, Virgin Mary Church, Catholic Armenians Church, the path of Pain in the Old City, Al Wad neighborhood, the Angelic Church, Prophets’ road in the Old City, Cross Valley Monastery, Franciscan Monastery, al Latrun Monastery, Beit Jamal Monastery, the Latin Cemetery, the Cross Valley Monastery, Church of the Holy Mother. In 2014, Deir Rafat monastery relative to the Roman church in Jerusalem was attacked. Bethlehem Mar Elias Church, the Nativity Church, Monastery of St. George

Ramallah Imuas Church

Jericho Na’ran Old Church

101 Chapter 5

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The international conventions regarding places of worship • Article 27 the Geneva Fourth Convention stating: “Protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their persons, their honor, their family rights, their religious convictions and practices, and their manners and customs. They shall at all times be humanely treated, and shall be protected especially against all acts of violence or threats thereof and against insults and public curiosity.”

• Article 56 of the La Hague (1907) Convention of Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land stating: “The property of municipalities, that of institutions dedicated to religion, charity and education, the arts and sciences, even when State property, shall be treated as private property.”

• Article 53 from Geneva Protocol (1977) banned all attacks again worship places which are considered the spiritual and cultural heritage of people.

The threatened of demolition mosque ( al-Hadi Mohammad) in al-Bireh on July 02, 2014 102 Chapter 5

Israeli Violations against Islamic and Christian Religious Sites

Omar Bin al-Khattab mosque in Halhul used as a military post for the army troops for two weeks during a campaign on Khirbet Isha on July 2014

103 Fanatic colonists torch Othman Bin Affan mosque in Ramallah on November 12, 2014 Chapter Six

Colonial Expansion

Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

6.1 The Israeli occupation colonialism in the West Bank and Jerusalem: In the aftermath of 1967, all lands of the West Bank fell under Israeli control. Shortly after, a groups of colonists headed , as tourists, towards al-Nahir al-Khlid hotel in Hebron and planned to burst a colonial outpost. Like cancer, colonization started in Hebron and spread all over the West Bank and Jerusalem. Today, there are 480 colonies and 271 outposts inhabited by 585722 colonists. According to the data of Geographic Information System- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team at Land Research Center, an increase of 19 colonies and outposts was noted in comparison with 2013. One can note that the distribution of colonies in the West Bank and Jerusalem is not at all random. But instead very systematic; locations of colonial spots are chosen to guarantee best seizure on Palestinian lands and to put pressure on Palestinian residential masses to become isolated and trapped by radical colonists inhabiting colonies and outposts. Nature, scenery and mountainous environment were key factors in choosing locations for colonies, which are now founded on 200,000 confiscated dunums. The aforementioned area of land used to be linking points between Palestinian cities and villages. Nowadays, colonies close 435,000 dunums under the claim of «Security Purposes»; such lands are considered a reserve area for the colonization to spread over. The Israeli government worked hard to break the geographic connection between the cities and villages of the West Bank and other sectors. Dozens of checkpoints and military watchposts were set up to hinder Palestinian movement; the number of checkpoints, gates and crossing reached 498 ones including 89 watchposts. In addition, the occupation established networks of bypass roads that devoured 196,000 dunums and deprived Palestinians from using their lands located in the nearby, totaling 98,000 dunums. Consequently, water resources were taken over including (artisan cisterns and water springs).

The table shows the number of colonies in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) in 2014 Governorate No. of colonies No. of outposts Confiscated area/ dunum No. of colonists** Jerusalem 35 34 38,558.2 250,000 Hebron 30 46 13,908.5 15792 Bethlehem 20 16 17,370 101444 Ramallah 30 54 32,462.6 126862 Jericho 22 16 23,678.8 8096 Nablus 14 52 16,319.4 Salfit 20 21 17,860.4 Qalqilya 17 14 11,799.5 80905 Tubas 8 5 7,590 Tulkarm 5 5 3,958.3 Jenin 8 8 3,854.6 2623 209 271 Total 187 360.3 585722 ، colonies and outposts 462 Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre -2014 * doesn’t include outposts ** Source: Peace Now (according to statistics conducted in 2011) 106 Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

The total land area lost due to colonization and the pretext of colonies, bypass roads and the apartheid wall protection reached 1864 km and\or 33% of the total land area of the West Bank.

2014

107 Chapter 6

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Illegally, the occupation allows the expansion of any colony at the expense of Palestinian lands; 144 colonies went under expansion in 2014. Official departments in the Israeli government revealed construction\ construction ratification plans for more than 16,305 colonial units, most of which were in occupied Jerusalem where Salfit and Bethlehem came second and third in terms of units distribution. Promptly, Israeli construction get ratified where Palestinians are banned to construct and\or served stop-work and demolition orders on their already built structure. A total of 825 residences and structures were threatened of demolition under the pretext of «Security Purposes» at time where Adhan (call for prayer) is banned under the claim of noise-making. Moreover, colonists carried out more than 850 attacks on Palestinian lands, civilians, residences and holy places.

UN Security Council resolutions in regard to Israeli colonies UN Security Council resolution 446, article 3 « Calls once more upon Israel, as the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, to rescind its previous measures and to desist from taking any action which would result in changing the legal status and geographical nature and materially affecting the demographic composition of the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and, in particular, not to transfer parts of its own civilian population into the occupied Arab territories;» • Un Security Council resolution 452, article 3»Calls upon the Government and people of Israel to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem;» • Un Security Council resolution 465, Strongly deplores the continuation and persistence of Israel in pursuing those policies and practices and calls upon the Government and people of Israel to rescind those measures, to dismantle the existing settlements and in particular to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem; • Calls upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connexion with settlements in the occupied territories; • Un Security Council resolution 242, Affirms that the fulfilment of Charter principles requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include the application of both the following principles: • (i) Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict; • (ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;

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6.2 Status of Colonization in 2014 2014 is the year of escalating occupation measures and colonial activities; colonial expansion has been increasing by leaps and bounds. According to data collected by Land Research Center and Peace Now Movement, 5545 residential units were built or are being built in 144 colonies and outposts and other 42 structures erupted. Land settlement was done in 67 colonies leading to ravaging 2190 dunums. The colonies in Nablus underwent the most radical expansions, followed by colonies in Ramallah, and Bethlehem respectively. In a report issued by Peace Now movement, the following was stated: Construction Starts - 40% increase in construction starts. 68% of the new construction is in settlements east of the outline proposed by the Geneva Initiative, the areas most challenging for the two-state solution. In 2014 construction of 3,100 residential units began in the settlements; 2,671 permanent structures and 429 caravans and light construction structures were built. In addition, 165 public buildings (kindergartens, educational institutions, synagogues, etc.) and 92 industrial and agricultural structures were built. 9% of the construction – 287 residential units – occurred in the illegal outposts, while the number of settlers therein, according to Peace Now estimates, comprise only 4% of all settlers. This demonstrates an increase of 40% compared to the respective period last year A team named «the blue line» relative to Israel Civil Administration conducted surveys on lands from the West Bank, which were later confiscated and devoted for the favor of Israeli colonies. This team renewed confiscation on 3740 dunums for the favor of expanding a number of colonies namely (Kedumim, Halmish , Vered Yeriho and Emanuel). 6.2.1 Expansion in Colonies: Reported expansions in the Israeli colonies in the West Bank and east Jerusalem - 2014 Laying foundations No. of established &/or Units added or Other Opening Governorate and land settlement expanded colonies to be added structures roads for construction Jerusalem 8 1733 5 5 4 Hebron 10 36 2 5 4 Bethlehem 18 1310 1 7 3 Ramallah 21 535 2 8 5 Jericho 15 70 3 4 4 Nablus 22 291 2 11 10 Salfit 16 508 18 14 16 Qalqilya 18 890 9 7 18 Tubas 6 47 0 3 0 Tulkarm 5 64 0 1 2 Jenin 5 61 0 2 7

Total 144 5545 42 67 73

109 *Source: Field Research- Monitoring Israeli Violations Team- Land Research Centre -2014 Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

Land Research Center sees Israel continuous expansion on colonies in the West

Bank and Jerusalemrch Cen at the expense of Palestinian people and lands a flagrant sea te e r R - L violation ofd Human Rights and all international laws and conventions, which R n

a C

L prohibit dispositionG of public properties in occupied countries. t I LRC i S n U & M g a p p i n

.Expanded colonies by 2014 ز أبـحاث كــ األر ر ا ــ ضـ م ـ ي

ة

ي ق ف ا س ر ـ LRC غ جل م ا ا خلر ت ائ وما ط ونظم املعل

Jenin ﺟﻧﯾن Tulkarm Tubas طوﺑﺎس طوﻟﻛرم

Qalqiliya Nablus ﻧﺎﺑﻠس ﻗﻠﻘﯾﻠﯾﺔ Salfit ﺳﻠﻔﯾت

Ramallah Jericho أرﯾﺣﺎ رام ﷲ

Jerusalem اﻟﻘدس

Bethlehem ﺑﯾت ﻟﺣم

Hebron اﻟﺧﻠﯾل

Colony Expansion

Roads Network Annex. & Exp. Wall Exsiting

Planned

Under Construction

Pal. Built-up Area Israeli Colonies · Dead Sea 1:650,000

110 Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

UN Resolutions UN Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967: calls for • the Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict; • Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force.» [4] UN Security Council Resolution 449 of 1979: the Security Council determined: • «that the policy and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East» UN Security Council Resolution 452 of 1979: states that • «the policy of Israel in establishing settlements in the occupied Arab territories has no legal validity and constitutes a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949» and «calls upon the Government and people of Israel to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem.» UN Security Council Resolution 465 of 1980: • It expressed concern at Israeli settlement policy in the Arab territories and recalled resolutions 237 (1967), 252 (1968), 267 (1969), 271(1969) and 298 (1971). It further called upon the State and people of Israel to dismantle such settlements. The resolution calls on all states ‘not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with settlements in the occupied territories’.

111 Opening a new colonial road for the favor of Ariel colony at the expense of Salfit lands on May 2014 Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

The colony of Sur Hadasa expands at the expense of Wad Fukin lands- Bethlehem on June 2014

112 Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

Efrat colony undergoes expansion works at the expense of Wad Rahhal lands- Bethlehem on June 2014

113 Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

Opening a colonial road to link 7 caravans to Migdalim colony at the expense of Qusra lands-Nablus on April 2014

114 Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

Notes on private on private A building has an area The building of 160000m2 underground. and is founded composed of 7 are established floors, 5 of them Palestinian lands Palestinian Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender scheme Building Type ofType plan / 9 / 7 / 8 / 12 / 16 Plan 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Plan no. Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Advertiser Advertiser The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Elad Association

Type center Jewish Jewish Services

1 Structure

75 56 182 294 600 units No. ofNo. / 01 10 / 01 10 / 01 10 / 01 10 / 01 12 / 01 13 Date Date

2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Location Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem The table shows the colonies and outposts that called for tenders, bids, and approvals for construction for in 2014: tenders, bids, and approvals called for the colonies and outposts that shows The table New Zeev Nevi Nevi Adam Colony Ramat Ramat Ramot Yaacov Shlomo colonial building 1 2 3 4 5 6 According to a Israeli website, the Israeli government advertised during 2014 tenders for building 4800 colonial units ,promoted plans building during 2014 tenders for advertised According to a Israeli website, the Israeli government 5500 units and discussed schemes plans deposition more than 600 units. for that Movement Now from Peace with data match relatively Center, Land Research collected by numbers, The aforementioned in the number a multiplication colonies. This 460 units/month in isolated shows 4485 units and promotion for documented tenders for of government. the previous units promoted by 6.3 Colonial Plans in 2014

115 plans No. ofNo. Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

Notes tourism discussed on discussed on building for building of al-Rabee The plan was The plan was March 19, 2014 The place was March 19, 2014 given the name given plan plan permit Tender Tender Tender Ratified Ratified Ratified approval Ratification Ratification Discussion of construction on obtaining Depositing a Depositing a Type ofType plan Construction plan deposition advertisement advertisement

13901 23 / 220 15 / 227 3 / 1 242 Plan no. 3 / 10 227 2 / 10 227 5 / 10 220 Housing Housing Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing Advertiser Advertiser The Israeli The Israeli Ministry of Ministry of Committee- Committee- Municipality Construction Construction Planning and Planning and Municipality of Municipality of The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry

Type

Structure 1 56 38 19 25 24 381 255 102 units No. ofNo. / 03 11 / 03 11 / 01 20 / 01 22 / 02 19 / 02 10 / 01 26 / 02 05 / 02 05 Date Date 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Location Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Zeev Kfar Kfar Kfar Nevi Nevi Pisgat Pisgat Colony Yaacov Yaacov seizures Kokhav Kokhav Adummim Adummim Adummim Givat Zeev Givat Givat Zeev Givat Residences Residences 7 8 9 15 14 13 12 11 10 116 plans No. ofNo. Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

units Notes colony colony colony colony colony Tender Tender project sports hall. 13 side of the West ofWest the East of the dunums will bedunums West ofWest the ofWest the construction A building ofA building 13 Leasing land residential units, advertised on advertised 1700 colonial Southwestern underground. The area for the project area for for 98 years for for 98 years for A plan to build A plan to build of school, Talmudic floors, three of them structure is composed January 10, 2014 January designated as an opendesignated Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Ratified Ratified Ratified Ratified Ratified to initiate to initiate Green light construction construction Type ofType plan Ratification of / ים / יש / יש / יש /

/ 9

/ 177 / 172 2014 / 173 / 174 8151 11094 2014 (68858) Plan no. Plan no. Plan no. 177 no. 11085 no. 2014 2014 2014 2014 and scheme Authority Jerusalem Jerusalem of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing Advertiser Advertiser Israel Land Committee- Committee- Construction Planning and Construction Planning and Municipality of Municipality of The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry

Type school Talmudic Talmudic

1

Structure

38 55 75 40 400 400 100 734 387 units No. ofNo. / 06 05 / 08 28 / 06 05 / 06 05 / 06 05 / 06 05 / 05 08 / 03 19 / 05 01 / 03 13 Date Date 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Location Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Zeev Adam Adam Pisgat Pisgat Ramat Ramat Ramat Ramat Colony Ramat Ramat Ramot Samich Shlomo Shlomo Shlomo academy academy Talmudic Talmudic Givat Zeev Zeev Givat Givat Zeev Givat 24 25 22 23 21 20 19 17 18 16

117 plans No. ofNo. Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

Notes Part ofPart the approved in approved plan ratified 400 units were One building by Netanyahu; by Ramat ShlomoRamat One plan out of Distributed on Distributed three buildings three in the area of Tender Tender Tender Tender permits permits permits Ratified Ratification Ratification Ratification Ratification Ratification Ratification construction construction construction on obtaining on obtaining on obtaining Type ofType plan

/ / / /

1 2014 2 2014 Tender Tender A/6531 10 2014 Plan no. Plan no. Plan no. A - 14295 TPS 6576 TPS 8186 2014 / ים 16 Authority Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem of Housing of Housing of Housing Advertiser Advertiser Committee- Committee- Committee- Committee- Construction Construction Construction Construction Israel Housing Responsible ofResponsible Planning and Planning and Planning and Planning and cooperation withcooperation Municipality of Municipality of Municipality of Municipality of State PropertiesState in Authority and landAuthority The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry

0

Type

2

Structure 28 56 24 19 216 208 660 7907 2610 units No. ofNo. / 11 05 / 11 05 / 12 31 / 01 10 / 11 04 / 01 10 / 01 10 / 09 24 Date Date 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Location Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Jerusalem Jerusalem Nevi Nevi Efrat Efrat Efrat Givat Givat Colony Ramat Ramat Ramot Ramot Yaacov Yaacov Shlomo Hamatos Betar Elite 28 29 30 31 32 27 33 26

plans 118 No. ofNo. Chapter 6

Colonial expansion -

units Notes colony colony colony colony colony colony colony side of the East of the East of the East of the East of the East of the East of the Southeastern Buildings of 5 6 of 10 residential floors, consisting Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Ratified Ratified to initiate to initiate Green light construction Type ofType plan

יש / יש / יש / יש / יש / יש /

/ 165 / 166 / 167 / 168 / 169 no. 170 2014 Tender Tender Plan no. no. 10310 no. no. 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Master plan Master plan 12 / 3 1 426 Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Advertiser Advertiser The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli Committee- Committee- Committee- Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Construction Construction Construction Planning and Planning and Planning and Municipality of Municipality of Municipality of

Type

Structure 50 20 56 19 20 144 223 147 279 units No. ofNo. / 03 19 / 02 05 / 06 05 / 05 26 / 06 05 / 06 05 / 06 05 / 06 05 / 06 05 Date Date 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 and and Location Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Efrat Efrat Givat Givat Givat Givat Efrat, Efrat, Efrat, Efrat, Colony Hatamar Hatamar Hadagan Har Homa Har Homa Har Homa Betar Elite Betar Elite Betar Elite 35 34 37 36 38 39 40 41 42

119 plans No. ofNo. Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

- units soon Notes colony 36 50 10 building Ratified by Ratified building willbuilding East of the Building 172 are composed accommodate two buildings two buildings Netanyahu to Netanyahu units. The plan colonial units in March 31, 2014 Distributed on Distributed of 9 floors. Each 7 building, which 7 building, composed of 708 be implemented was advertised on was advertised

Bids Tender Tender permits permits Ratified Ratification Ratification Ratification Ratification construction construction on obtaining on obtaining Type ofType plan announcement

יש / יש / / 65 / 5 4 / 171 / 204 6 / 221 13261 410 2014 Ratified Plan no. Plan no. Plan no. ender no. ender no. Tender no. no. Tender TPS 10310 2014 2014 Scheme no. Housing Housing Regional Regional Regional Regional Jerusalem Authority Authority Authority Authority Advertiser Advertiser The Israeli The Israeli Committee- Ministry of Israel Land Israel Land Ministry of Construction Planning and Construction Construction Planning and Planning and Committee of Committee of Municipality of

0 Type ercial Comm-

1

1 Structure 62 40 218 400 172 708 250 2809 units No. ofNo. / 06 05 / 10 27 / 06 18 / 08 25 / 11 05 / 12 04 / 01 08 Date Date 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 and and Location Ramallah Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Bethlehem Gilo Ofra Efrat Efrat Colony Har Homa Har Homa Har Homa Betar Elite 43 44 46 45 47 48 49 120 plans No. ofNo. Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

2014 2014 2014 2014 Notes Discussed on Discussed on Discussed on February 19, February February 19, February February 19, February Plan discussed Not ratified yet Not ratified on February 19, on February plan plan Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender permits Tenders Ratification Ratification plan deposit Plan deposit construction on obtaining Type ofType plan Discussion of Discussion of Discussion of announcement announcement announcement Plan discussion

/ 2 / 4 2 / 114 205 2 / 317 604 11 / 218 12 / 205 18 / 218 3 / 1 111 paln no. Plan no. 10 / 3 201

30 / 3 2 130 Scheme no. Scheme no.

Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Advertiser Advertiser The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of

0

Type

0

Structure 5 27 90 30 65 31 200 296 773 353 234 538 265 units No. ofNo. / 03 19 / 03 11 / 03 19 / 03 23 / 01 08 / 03 11 / 01 26 / 01 06 / 03 11 / 03 11 Date Date 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Salfit Nablus Nablus Nablus Nablus Jericho Jericho Jericho Jericho Location Ramallah Ramallah Ramallah Nablus Jericho Jericho Ramallah Ariel Shilo Shilo Gilgal Shavei Shavei Almog Colony Beit El Beit El Bracha Shamron Beit Arye 51 50 52 58 59 53 57 54 55 56 plans

121 ofNo. Chapter 6

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2014 Notes Discussed on February 19, February To be founded be founded To on 14.3 dunums East of colonial Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Discussion of Discussion of Discussion of Type ofType plan Discussion of deposited plan deposited plan deposited plan advertisement advertisement deposited plan announcement announcement announcement announcement announcement Deposit of plan

יש /

יש

/ 6 / 11 / 23 / 176 / T/130 6 5 / 116 8 / 130 6 / 132 3 / 129 2 / 118 4 / 132 8 / 130 מכרז מספר

Plan no. 2014 1 2014 2014 Plan no. Tender no.Tender Tender no. no. Tender 2014 Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Authority Authority Advertiser Advertiser The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli The Israeli Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of Israel Land Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of

New Type structure industrial

1 Structure

40 37 19 36 169 839 694 839 160 277 units No. ofNo. / 01 10 / 01 10 / 02 18 / 02 19 / 03 11 / 03 11 / 03 19 / 03 23 / 03 23 / 06 05 / 08 24 Date Date 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Salfit Salfit Salfit Salfit Salfit Salfit Salfit Salfit Salfit Salfit Salfit Location Ariel Ariel Ariel Ariel Ariel Yakir Zahav Kiryat Kiryat Colony Elkana Netafim Leshaim Burqan- El Matan El Matan Eli Zahav Eli Zahav Industrial 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

plans 122 No. ofNo. Chapter 6

Colonial expansion

Notes colony colony colony through Advertised Advertised East of the West ofWest the West ofWest the January 2014 January newspapers on newspapers plan tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender Tender permits of ratified Ratification Ratification construction on obtaining Type ofType plan Discussion of advertisement advertisement advertisement advertisement advertisement advertisement Advertisement Advertisement announcement announcement announcement יש / יש / יש / /

/ 4 / 3 3 / 13 ) / 150 / 151 / 175 13 / 117 2014 2014 5 2014 Master plan no. plan no. Plan no. 1 / 12 115 (125 Tender no. no. Tender Tender no. no. Tender Tender no. Tender 2014 2014 2014

Authority Authority of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing of Housing Advertiser Advertiser Israel Land The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry The Israeli Ministry

0

0 Type

1

0 4 Structure 22 86 68 28 78 283 102 129 102 615 3398 units No. ofNo. 16305 / 09 04 / 01 05 / 01 10 / 01 10 / 01 10 / 02 19 / 06 05 / 06 05 / 06 05 Date Date 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Salfit Qalqilya Qalqilya Qalqilya Qalqilya Qalqilya Qalqilya Qalqilya Qalqilya Qalqilya Location Total Salfit Qalqilya Alfei Alfei Alfei Karni Karni Karni Colony Elkana Menashe Menashe Menashe Emanuel Emanuel Emanuel Shamron Shamron Shamron 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 *Source: Data compiled by Land Research Centre (LRC) from different Israeli sources including: The Israeli government, the Israeli Ministry of from different Israeli sources including: The Centre (LRC) Israeli government, Land Research compiled by *Source: Data Ahronot. (electronic website) of and the newspapers News, and Yediot Wala Haaretz, Yerushalayim, Now, Peace Housing, plans

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A synopsis of the locations of the colonies and outposts that offered bids and tenders for construction by month Month No. of units No. of colonial structure January 3101 1 February 1297 0 March 3716 0 April 0 0 May 859 0 June 2269 0 July 0 0 August 708 2 September 2893 0 October 400 0 November 966 0 December 96 1

Total 16305 4

*Source: Compilation of data by Land Research Centre (LRC) from Peace Now and Israeli dailies. A synopsis of the locations of the colonies and outposts that offered bids and tenders for construction- by governorate No. of colonies that offered Governorate Colonial units Colonial structure construction plans Jerusalem 11 7907 2 Hebron 0 0 0 Bethlehem 4 2809 1 Ramallah 3 773 0 Jericho 2 265 0 Nablus 3 538 0 Salfit 8 3398 1 Qalqilya 3 615 0 Tulkarm 0 0 0 Tubas 0 0 0 Total 34 16305 4

*Source: Compilation of data by Land Research Centre (LRC) from Peace Now and Israeli dailies.

Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting for the Likud party on January 06, 2014 objected the eviction of the Hebron area colonies and the colony of Beit El, which is located outside a massive colonial mass; such colonies are of high importance for the Israeli nation 124 Chapter 6

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Convention (IV) respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land and its annex: Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land. The Hague, 18 October 1907. Article 46: Private property cannot be confiscated. Article 55: The occupying State shall be regarded only as administrator and usufructuary of public buildings, real estate, forests, and agricultural estates belonging to the hostile State, and situated in the occupied country. It must safeguard the capital of these properties, and administer them in accordance with the rules of usufruct. Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949. • Art. 49: Individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive. • Art. 53: Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations. • Art. 147: Grave breaches to which the preceding Article relates shall be those involving any of the following acts, if committed against persons or property protected by the present Convention: wilful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, including biological experiments, wilfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health, unlawful deportation or transfer or unlawful confinement of a protected person, compelling a protected person to serve in the forces of a hostile Power, or wilfully depriving a protected person of the rights of fair and regular trial prescribed in the present Convention, taking of hostages and extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly.

Colonial plans 2014 Ratifying the establishments of hundreds of new colonial units on Israeli colonies : The office of Israel Prime Minister said on 1812/12/ that they are planning on going ahead with an extension to the colony of Ramat Shlomo in North Jerusalem and the colony Har Homa that is founded on lands from Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Prime Minister Netanyahu, has lately approved , master plans for colonies in an unprecedented step taken against Palestinians as a collective punishment. This step came to show the contradiction between the complications the Palestinian building is going through and the facility given to Israelis in this regard.

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On November11, 2014 Prime Minister Netanyahu ratified the following 1. Plan no.11094: it indicates adding 660 colonial units to the coloney of Ramat Shlomo at the expense of 174 Palestinian dunums from the lands of Shu,fat and . The Planning Committee relative to the occupation municipality on November04, 2014 conducted a meeting, through which the establishment of new 500 colonial units were approved within the plan ratified by Netanyahu a day earlier. 2. Plan no.13308: the plan was also known as «Western Har Homa» ,which approved on the annexation of 400 new colonial units on lands owned by Palestinians. Noteworthy, the colony is founded on Palestinian private lands form Bethlehem and parts of Jerusalem. In a meeting for the Planning and Construction Committee- the occupation municipality on November 05, 2014, the following colonial plans were approved : • Plan no.TPS8186: it indicated the expansion of Ramot colony that is founded on lands form and Samuel through annexing 216 units within three buildings. • Plan no.TPS6576: it indicated the annexation of 28 colonial units in Ramot colony within one building . • Plan no. TPS10310: it indicated the expansion of Har Homa through annexing 62 colonial units within two buildings.

rch Cen sea te e r Aerial photo for the two colony plans R - L d R n

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Jenin ة ي ق ف ﺟﻧﯾن ا س ر ـ LRC غ جل ubasم Tulkarm T ا ا طوﺑﺎس خلر طوﻟتﻛرم ائ وما ط ونظم املعل Qalqiliya Nablus ﻧﺎﺑﻠس ﻗﻠﻘﯾﻠﯾﺔ Salfit ﺳﻠﻔﯾت

Ramallah Jericho أرﯾﺣﺎ رام ﷲ

Jerusalem اﻟﻘدس

Bethlehem ﺑﯾت ﻟﺣم

Hebron اﻟﺧﻠﯾل

Roads Network

Pal. Built-up Area

Israeli Colonies - 2014 Plans Israeli Colonies · Dead Sea 1:650,000 126 Chapter 6

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Netanyahu ratifies projects of infrastructure and colonial roads in the West Bank On October 26, 2014, PeaceNow mentioned that the Prime Minister signed an agreement with the settlers , leadership (Ministers Bennet and Ariel and Zeev Hever – Zambish, a settlers , leader) on a list of developmental activities in colonies, in return for their not making political troubles to the coalition. The report revealed a document signed by Avihai Mendelblit, the secretary of the Government, detailing the projects .In addition, the report stated that another agreement, on the advancing of 2,000 units in colonies, was close to be signed. According to reports the projects in the list were approved by the Prime Minister for funding and implementation. However, according to reports, in a meeting with cabinet members to approve the funding for the projects, Minister Lapid refused to budget the funds. It is unclear if all of the projects are now put on hold, or whether some will be executed with the regular budget of the ministries without special allocation of funds. However, the projects that were on the agenda give us a glance on the intentions and plans of the government for the near future in the colonies. The list of projects includes: 1. Establishment of 12 roads for the benefit of the colonists. 2. Conducting of surveys of Palestinian lands in order to declare them as State Land for the retroactive legalization of outposts. 3. Renovation of the , one of the holiest sites in Islam. 4. «Students Villages» – cheap housing for students in colonies. 5. Water infrastructure – without the approval of the JWC, in violation of the Oslo agreement. 6. Public parks, access roads to settlements, and infrastructure of electricity.

In details:

1. Roads - The building of infrastructure and roads should not be underestimated as they result in both creating a separatist entity for the settlers in the Occupied Territories as well as a boost for the development of the settlements. One of the major driving forces behind the growth in settler population in the past 20 years was the establishment of bypass roads: roads that bypass Palestinians cities for the better travel of the colonists. The list of roads include: A- Bypass roads – approx. 35 km of roads( five in number) bypassing Palestinian villages, taking approx. 3,500 dunams most of which will be confiscated from Palestinians. The plan will ban Palestinians from using their lands located by sides of the road with a 100m width. B- Interchanges - construction of an interchange at the «sheep junction» south of Hebron and another one east of Halhul village.

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The following table lists the bypass roads that were approved on in the West Bank for the favor of colonies No. Location Length\m 1 Um al-Raihan 9,190 2 Nabi Elyas 4,167 3 Huwwara 6,986 4 Shilo 9,140 5 Al-Arrub 7,432 Total 36915

Source: Geographic Information System- Land Research Center

A map showing colonial roads rch Cen sea te e r R - L d R n

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ة

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Jenin ﺟﻧﯾن Tulkarm Tubas طوﺑﺎس طوﻟﻛرم

Qalqiliya Nablus ﻧﺎﺑﻠس ﻗﻠﻘﯾﻠﯾﺔ Salfit ﺳﻠﻔﯾت

Ramallah Jericho أرﯾﺣﺎ رام ﷲ

Jerusalem اﻟﻘدس

Bethlehem ﺑﯾت ﻟﺣم

Hebron اﻟﺧﻠﯾل

Proposed Colonial Road

Roads Network Annex. & Exp. Wall Exsiting

Planned

Under Construction

Pal. Built-up Area Israeli Colonies · Dead Sea 1:650,000 128 Chapter 6

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C- Security and access roads to colonies – in Eli, Ariel, Alei Zahav, Bruchin, Karnei Shomron, Imanuel and others, as well as upgrading of several roads. 2. Conducting of surveys of Palestinian lands in order to prepare land confiscation for colonies. According to the Israeli interpretation of the Ottoman land law, these are not confiscations but only declarations on state land, which do not change the legal status of the land. According to this interpretation, if the land is not cultivated for several years, it becomes the property of the public, i.e. state land. The surveys are meant mainly to enable the retroactive legalization of existing outposts that were built on private Palestinian lands. If the survey is successful, and the land is found to be not cultivated for several years, it will then be declared as state land and the government could approve a plan for the outpost to make it legal. 3. The Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron is considered the fourth in holiness for Islam (after Mecca, Medina and al-Aqsa Mosque). The document reviles that the intentions are for constructing «pavement, elevator for the disabled, roofing». 4. «Students Villages», trailer homes for new immigrants – These projects are meant to allow funding to directly encourage people, students and new immigrants, to move to colonies. Student villages are projects in which students receive accommodation and subsidies in return for living in the settlement and volunteering there. Usually it is an expansion of existing colonies. Also, tours and recreational trips will be carried out in remembrance of the three abducted soldiers at the junction of Etzion; and parks in Yagal Alon- Qiryat Arbaa and Ariel area will be opened. Israeli discrimination is clear in letting colonists paying homage to soldiers and not letting the family of kid Abu Kdair, who was abducted and burned alive, to hang a poster with the kid›s photo on their house. 5. Water Projects - The projects include: improvement of water systems at Alfei Menashe, regional water pool at Bruchin, Mekorot booster at Kochav Yaakov, emergency water tanks at the Benyamin area, improvement of water systems at the Benyamin area. The JWC is the «Joint Water Committee» of Israel and the Palestinian Authority that was established as part of the Oslo interim agreement from 1995. According to the agreement, each side cannot build any water infrastructure in the West Bank without the agreement of the JWC. In recent years the JWC does not work and projects, for both sides are blocked. The meaning of the Government intention is that Israel will violate the Oslo agreement in order to pursue water projects for settlers. It should be marked that the Israeli occupation authorities demolish water cisterns and ban constructing them under the pretext of being disapproved by the JWC. In 2014, the Department of Monitoring Israeli Violations at Land Research Center documented the demolition of 67 cisterns and 37 other demolition threats under the pretext of unlicensed construction despite being approved through Palestine-Israel District Coordination Office DCO. 6. Infrastructure of electricity projects: such projects included Itamar, Jetit, Itmar no.3,Gilad, Yizhar, Alon More colonies. Land Research Center, during 2014, documented the demolition of 7 power grids, including 92 lighting poles. Also, 5 grids, including 19 lighting poles were threatened of demolition.

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Within the policy of compulsory displacement and relocation: A new plan to uproot the Bedouin communities from al-Ghoor and Jerusalem The so-called Inspection Sub-Committee of Israel Civil Administration deposited a number of master plans, which aim at establishing substitute villages in the areas of al-Nuwei›ma and Duyuk al-Fauqa, north of Jericho for the Bedouin communities located in the Palestinian Jordan Valley al-Ghoor and occupied Jerusalem. This step is taken to wipe out the Bedouin communities in the area so that colonies find room to expand and to accomplish the grater aim of Israel, which is to annex the lands of al-Ghoor to the State of Israel. For example, Male Adummim and Kedar colonies. Noteworthy, this is to implement the E1 Project that comes within the occupational project «Grater Jerusalem». It should be marked that the Inspection Sub-Committee of Israel Civil Administration deposited , on August 27, 2014 three master plans at the expense of Nuwei ma lands. According to the advertisement, the master plans gave lands owners a 60 day deadline objection period. Another three similar master plans were advertised by the same side on 10 / 09 / 2014. The following table shows information about the master plans A master plan for Date of No. of No. Aim of plan At the expense of the favor of Bedouin advertising plan community Amend land use from Part of natural block no. 1 Wednesday agricultural to built-up, and plot no. 1. Also, natural Hayy al-Rashayda- 1 1417/1 2014/08/27 commercial, open areas and block no. 6 and plot no. 1 West roads from Duyuk al-Fauqa Amend land use from Part of natural block no. 1 Wednesday agricultural to built-up, and plot no. 1. Also, natural Hayy al-Rashayda- 2 1417/2 2014/08/27 commercial, open areas and block no. 11 and plot no. 1 East roads from Nuwei'ma Fauqa Amend land use from Part of natural block no. 1 and Wednesday agricultural to built-up, plot no. 1. Also, natural block no. Hayy al-Rashayda- 3 1417/3 2014/08/27 commercial, open areas and 11 and plot no. 1 from Nuwei'ma East and west roads and Duyuk al-Fauqa Amend land use from Wednesday agricultural to built-up, Part of natural block no. 1 4 1418 Hayy Abu Izhayman 2014/09/10 commercial, open areas and and plot no. 1 from Nuwei'ma roads Amend land use from Wednesday agricultural to built-up, Part of natural block no. 1 Hayy Abu Izhayman 5 1418/1 2014/09/10 commercial, open areas and and plot no. 1 from Nuwei'ma and Nuwei'ma roads Amend land use from Wednesday agricultural to built-up, Part of natural block no. 1 6 1419 Nuwei'ma 2014/09/10 commercial, open areas and and plot no. 1 from Nuwei'ma roads Source: advertisements featured in al-Quds newspaper on 27 / 08 / 2014 and 10 / 09 / 2014 130 Chapter 6

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It should be mentioned that the occupation started working on this plan without referring to residents of the area or even asking for their opinions. The occupation designed the new places without taking into consideration the nomadic nature and life style of Bedouins, who cannot stand any other life style but theirs. As a result, around 2000 families (12500 members) from different areas namely( al-Khan al-Ahamar, Mikhmas, a community east of al-Teba area, Bedouins of Mur,jat, Bedouin of Ein Samya, al-Auja and Bedouins of al-Ka ,abna) were forced to move to the project ,s designated area. Noteworthy, each family has only an area of 200m2 to build and reside, knowing that this area is not enough to shelter the sheep of one only Bedouin person. The gravity of this plan is represented in the absence of futuristic amendments and modifications on the area designated for each bedouin person within the master plan. This will probably conflict with population growth in a period of twenty years where the area cannot accumulate more residents.

, Nuwi ma plan issued by the Israeli association Bemakom

An advertisement in al-Quds newspaper indicating the aforementioned plan

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, The targeted village of Al-Nuwai ma

One of the Bedouin communities threatened of forcible displacement- East Jerusalem

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Another form of forcible displacement: Ironically, despite all international pressures and calls upon Israel to stop its practices of land grab, home demolition and displacement, it still insists on taking this step to implement such a racist project. A new community of NO life standards: The Israeli occupation claimed that this project aims directly at enhancing the life standards and conditions of Bedouins in the area of al-Ghoor but apparently the building area given to each person in addition to the new location totally contradict with the kind of life Bedouins used to have. The nomadic lifestyle will not be there in the new substituted community, knowing that they will be moved to an overcrowded area famous for poverty and lack of infrastructure. A complementary plan of a previous project: It is indicated that this plan is a complementary one for a pervious project prepared for the Bedouin community of arab al-Jahalin in 1990s where the occupation forced them to move from the edges of Jerusalem to a small town that is located next to a waste dumb in Abu Dis area. As a result, people lost their pastoral and nomadic lifestyle since they left their original habitat. Also, displaced people got their lands lost and exploited for the favor of expanding the colony of Male Adummim.

Land Research Center sees that what the occupation does nowadays is considered a war crime as well as to a contradiction and violation of all international conventions that compel any occupation to maintain civilians rights in occupied territories; especially their right to Housing. On the contrary, the occupation violated civilians rights, demolished their homes and forcefully displaced them to places other than their original towns.

133 Conclusion and recommendations

When it comes to killing and torching kids alive and culpable are announced innocents When it comes to shelling Gaza strip with what equals the destruction of six nuclear bombs When the whole world watches cold-heartedly what happens in silence : Palestinians will be left but to depend on themselves. Thus, our recommendation will be directed at our resilient and steadfast people as follows: 1. Don’t wait on a miracle to happen, hold on to each inch of this land 2. Don’t be a prey for lands brokers and do uproot the phenomena of land trafficking for the Palestinian land is not an object for purchase and sell. 3. Build your land, live off of its products -as much as possible- , and boycott the enemy 4. Defend your rights to land and housing through any gaps even in the enemy laws and systems, and never get disappointed by results. 5. Get equipped and armored by the documents that prove you rightful to land and housing and always be ready for confrontation. 6. Shout out loud when your rights are violated so that the deaf ears could hear your voices. 7. Get united for you are all targeted 8. Put your struggle plans by your own and never let a stranger lead you.

Indeed, a day will come where the world feels ashamed of itself, of your steadfastness and bravery. It is then when your victory is realized and land remains for its stones, for you are the stones of the valley and the salt of this earth.