Violation: Establishment of a new settlement outpost.

Location: Ein Samiya, near Kafr Malik village, Ramallah Governorate.

Date of Violation: Early April 2024.

Perpetrating Party: Settlers from “Kokhaf HaShahair.”

Affected Party: Farmers in the Ein Samiya area.

Description:

Settlers continue to encroach upon vast areas of agricultural land in the eastern Badia region of Ramallah, specifically in Ein Samiya, located east of Kafr Malik village. The latest act of encroachment and land seizure involved settlers from the "Kokhaf HaShahair" settlement, which occupies parts of the village’s land, setting up new settlement units. These units were distributed haphazardly on around 15 dunams of grazing land classified as Jordanian-registered land (Tabu) belonging to several families from Kafr Malik.

A view of the settlement outpost on Ein Samiya land

The establishment of this outpost coincides with a plan to displace a significant number of Bedouin families in the area. Since October 7, 2023, numerous Bedouin families who had resided in Ein Samiya have been displaced. The settlers continue to expand, seizing agricultural lands and blocking all roads and entrances to prevent Palestinians from accessing Ein Samiya. Today, settlers have erected several grazing outposts adjacent to the main settlement to create new facts on the ground and seize remaining lands for colonial purposes.

Ein Samiya is a target of the Israeli occupation due to its rich water resources and essential natural resources. Majed Maadi, head of the Kafr Malik Village Council, explained to a researcher from the Land Research Center:

"Ein Samiya is historically significant and known for its unique landscape and archaeological significance. It features Roman graves, water channels carved into the rock that once provided water, as well as Ottoman-era structures like the Moon Mills. These features reflect the historical significance of the area, in addition to its importance as a water resource. The artesian wells in Ein Samiya serve as a primary water source for Ramallah, Al-Bireh, and nearby Palestinian communities."

Maadi further commented on Israeli violations against the area's residents and their properties:

"Since the Oslo Accords classified Ein Samiya as part of Area C, the occupation has exploited this classification to impose restrictions and harass local farmers. They are prevented from utilizing their agricultural lands and even from restoring historical sites. Recently, the area has seen repeated incursions by the Israeli army and settlers, who actively oppress farmers. This region is now dotted with random settlement outposts inhabited by religiously and ideologically extreme settlers."

Kafr Malik Village[1]:

Kafr Malik is located 15 km northeast of Ramallah, bordered by Khirbet Abu Falah and Al-Mughayyir to the north, Al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya to the west, Al-Mughayyir and Al-Auja to the east, and Deir Jarir to the south.

The village had a population of 2,946 as of 2017, with a total area of 51,891 dunams, of which 911 dunams are designated for village construction.

The occupation has seized approximately 1,645 dunams of the village's land, including:

• 380 dunams for the establishment of the "Kokhaif HaShahar" settlement in 1977, which currently houses around 1,367 settlers.
• More than 726 dunams taken by Bypass Road No. 458.
• 539 dunams seized for Israeli military bases.

Under the Oslo Accords, Kafr Malik's land is classified as follows:

• Area B: 6,574 dunams
• Area C: 45,317 dunams

Ein Samiya in the Crosshairs:

Ein Samiya, east of Kafr Malik, is a valuable agricultural and tourism heritage site, shaped by various civilizations due to its abundant water and fertile soil. However, since the 1990s, agriculture and tourism in the area have declined. Majed Maadi attributes this to the occupation:

"Ein Samiya used to be a popular destination for families from the village and surrounding areas. But in recent decades, the area has become a disaster zone. Today, Ein Samiya is surrounded by numerous settlements, including “Kokhaf HaShahar”, “Adi Ad”, and the “Ahya” outpost, in addition to Israeli military camps scattered throughout the region. This has severely limited tourism and made agricultural investment in the area increasingly risky."

مشروع: حماية الحقوق البيئية الفلسطينية في مناطق "ج" SPERAC IV   - FCDO

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of Land Research Center and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the project donor; the Norwegian Refugee Council.

إخلاء المسؤولية: الآراء ووجهات النظر الواردة في هذا التقرير هي آراء ووجهات نظر مركز أبحاث الأراضي ولا تعكس بالضرورة وجهات نظر أو مواقف الجهة المانحة للمشروع؛ المجلس النرويجي. للاجئين