Violation: settlers install a siege on a 4 dunums land leveling to lay their hands on it.

Location: Al-Makhrour – Beit Jala/ Bethlehem governorate.

Date: 07/06/2019.

Perpetrator: Settlers of “Gush Etzion” settlement cluster.

Victims: Citizen Eskandar Al-Qahat.

Description:

Friday , 7^th of June 2019, a group of settlers raided Al-Makhrour area in Beit Jala, and placed a siege on a 4 dunums plot planted with a variety of crops, the targeted plot belongs to Eskandar Qahat.

Ramzi Qaisiya “the trustee on the land” told LRC the following:

“Settlers claim that the plot belongs to a Jewish company. However, the Palestinian owners , who trust me on the land,  possess legal documents that prove the land belongs to them.

I have been living in Al-Makhrour for more than 19 years. The occupation forces demolished my house 3 times, but I rebuild it over and over, and that won’t push me out of my home town.”

The targeted land is located on the top of a mountain close to Al-Makhrour restaurant, most of the area is planted with Apple , grapes and peaches . Al-Makhrour also provides an escape for its people , in order to breathe fresh air and enjoy the beautiful nature.

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 a view of the targeted land

Settlers have been trying to lay their hands on Agricultural lands in Al-Makhrour area . Noteworthy, the area is known of its rich soil and fascinating nature , in a location between Al-Walaja and Battir villages.

Settlers target the western suburbs of Bethlehem in an attempt to take over more lands for their scheme “The greater Jerusalem”. In the recent year, the Illegal Israeli settlers opened a road and put caravans on lands confiscated from Battir.

Al Makhrour:

Al Makhrour is a valley located to the west of Beit Jala; it has been targeted by the Israelis since the first days of occupation because of its strategic location. Al-Makhrour is edged by the bypass road (east), Al-Walaja (north), Hussan and Battir (west) and Al-Khader (south).

Its total area is around 3500 dunums planted mostly with prunes and olives.

The area contains springs and old trees, it is considered as a reserve for  several rare species of birds such as Oriental Honey Buzzard, Palestine sunbird and Partridge. In Al-Makhrour mountains you can see the caves and the beautiful palaces built by the owners at the area. The area is covered with peach groves, from which the Beit Jala’s popular juice is made of. There is also an annual peach festival. Unfortunately, residents of the area are deprived by the Israeli Occupation authorities from their legitimate right to build and cultivate on their own lands.

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union The content of this document is the sole responsibility of LRC and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union