2017-10-15

New master plan for Kokhav Ya'akov colony at the expense of Jerusalem lands

According to the webpage of Israel Ministry of Interior,  Higher Planning Council- Israel Civil Administration deposited  anew master plans for Kokhav Ya'acov colony at the expense of Palestinian lands.

According to the plan no. 2/250 , the occupation decided to expand Kokhav Ya'acov colony and  transform massive agricultural areas into urban development areas and public facilities. The plan will also serve the infrastructure of the colony. All measures will be at the expense of Mikhmas and Burqa lands.

The targeted lands were declared as follows:

  • Natural block number 17; parcels number 0 and 44
  • Natural block number 14 of Mikhmas
  • Natural block number 10 of Burqa village

Objectives of the plan:

  • Changing the use of lands from agricultural and commercial to residential areas, public spots, architectural buildings, open areas and new roads
  • Specifying the instructions and limits of construction within the plan
  • Specifying the instructions of building plan preparation
  • Specifying the conditions of obtaining building permits


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 the plan's advertisement as featured on the website of Israel Ministry of Interior

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 part of the plan 2/250

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 location the target lands according to the plan's attached map

Reportedly, the plan aims at constructing 86 residential units on 68 dunums from Mikhmas and Burqa villages' lands that are founded outside

 Kokhav Ya'akov :

The colony was established in 1984 on 1680 dunums confiscated lands from Kafr Aqab village in 1980.

Most of the colony's houses are permanent. It accommodates religious schools, language center, primary school, clinic and a synagogue. Until 2005, the colony was inhabited by 4600 colonists.

Land Research Center sees Israel continuous expansion on colonies in the West Bank and Jerusalem at the expense of Palestinian and lands a flagrant violation of Human Rights and all international laws and conventions, which prohibit disposition of public properties in occupied countries.

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 forc the borders of Kokhav Ya'acov colony.