Violation: Expanding Israeli colonial activities in the Palestinian territories.

 Location: Tuqu’ town / Bethlehem governorate.

Date: 5/01/2019.

Perpetrators: “Tekua” settlers.

Victims: People of “Tuqu’”.

Description:

“Tekua” settlers placed caravans and cultivated trees on Palestinian lands, claiming that the lands are “state’s properties”.

Taysir Abu Mefreh head of Tuqu’ municipality told LRC observer:

“ The Israeli occupation confiscated 300 dunums of Tuqu’ lands claiming that they are state’s properties.

6 years ago same incident occured, but landowners filed an objection to the Israeli court in 2014 , settlers removed their caravans and Palestinian landowners regained their lands.

The case will be opened again using the legal documents Palestinians have that prove their right of the land”

the caravans which settlers placed in Tuqu’

The lands were settlers cultivated trees and placed wood chairs

Settlers attempt to expand their illegal settlements “Takua” which requires confiscating more Palestinian lands.

In Reality, lands in the government custody should not be used by anyone, but the Israeli occupation authorities take over Palestinian lands claiming that they are “state’s properties” and prohibit Palestinians from using them, then easily hand them to illegal settlers.

About Tuqu':[1]

Tuqu' is an old Canaanite name which meant "placing of tents"; the crusaders called it "Thecua" as it was one of their strongholds in Bethlehem area.

Tuqu' has a great deal of Roman, Greek, and Mamluke ruins considering its strategic location. One of the most significant ruins is the "baptism basin" which is a stony artifact that has been cut and formed. It represents a number of Christian sects.

It is believed that the artifact has been made around the 1750s; it is also believed that this is one part of a two-part artifact; the second part's location is unknown.

Tuqu' is surrounded by 5 Israeli colonies including Tquah, AlDavid, Nokdim, in addition to two other colonies to the south, Mizpe Shalim and Mushki Dar Got.

Tuqu' total area is 10 km2. Therefore it is considered the largest rural community in Palestine. The village is 12km to the west of Bethlehem governorate and is covered by evergreen trees, making it an attractions to many visitors and tourists.

It is inhabited by 13000 people by 2014 including all its four parts namely: Tuqu' , Khirbet Tuqu', Khirbet al-Dair, and al-Halqum

[1] GIS-LRC

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