Violation: cutting hundreds of trees.

Location: Al-Khader town / Brthlehem.

Date: July 7 , 2018.

Perpetrators: Illegal settlers of "Elazar" and "Neve Daniyyel" settlements.

Victims: Citizen Islam Jaber and Hassan Ismael Issa.

Description

Recently, illegal settlers  intensified  assaults on agricultural lands in Al-Khader village on the purpose of confiscating agricultural lands to conduct their project "The Greater Jerusalem" ,which aims to connect illegal settlements together consequently dividing Palestinian towns and cities.

 In July 7, Illegal settlers of "Neve Daniyyel" broke into farmer Islam Jaber land and  cut out (170)  grapes trees. The farmer is constantly present in his land, while he was heading there in the morning with his mother he found out that illegal settlers ruined all his trees, then he immediately filed charges against them.

Iyad , member of Al-Khader municipality told LRC observer:

"some of the grapes fields were completely destroyed, knowing that picking vine leaves is a subside source of income for the farmers family"

.

 damaged trees in farmer Islam Jaber land

Furthermore, Farmer Hassan Issa was normally going to his land when he found it completely ravaged, "Elazer" illegal settlers damaged over 168 grapes trees in his (4 dunums) land, located close to Bypass road 60 and Elazar illegal settlement.

 damaged trees in farmer Hassan Issa  land

Citizen Iyad told LRC observer:

"Illegal settlers frequently assault Palestinian lands, their purpose is to take over lands close to the settlement. On the other hand, the farmer of the land who have been spending time in reclaiming it as if it was one of his children is constantly suffering from settlers crimes against his land"

About Al-Khader village:

Al-Khader village is located 4 km from the western side of Bethlehem, it is bordered by Beit Jala and Batir from the north, Hussan and Nahaleen villages from the west, Aldoha, Wadi Rahhal, Beit Jala villages from the east, and Wadi Al-Nees from the south. Its population is 11,960 people in 2017. Its gross area is 8,279 donums; 184 of them are the construction area.

The Israeli colonies have despoils 29 donums from the village's lands; two are colonies existed upon a part of the lands. The first one " Efrat" was constructed in 1979 A.D; they have usurped 5.8 donums, and its population 7037 colonists. The second one " Nafy Danial" eas constructed on 1982A.D; they have usurped 23 donums, and its population is 1073 colonists. A part of which is established upon the village's lands.

The bypass roads number 60 and 375 also despoiled more than 487 donums. In addition to establishing the apartheid upon its lands which causes the demolishing of 280 donums and isolating of 5638 donums behind it. The length of this apartheid existing upon the village's land is 2,805 meters.

The village's lands are classified in accordance with Oslo concord into areas( A,B ,C). Area A composes 10% , Area B 6%, Area C is the greatest area and it is under the total occupation domination, and it composes 84% from the total area. The areas are clarified in donums as following:

Area A (808) donums

AreaB (475) donums

Area C(6,996) donums

The contents of this document is the sole responsibility of LRC and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union