Violation: destroying a road

Location:  Beit Dajan town- Nablus

Date:  March 07, 2018

Perpetrators: Israeli Occupation Forces

Victims:  farmers of Reqaqa area

Details:

A massive force from the Israeli occupation army and two dozers raided March 07, 2018  Reqaqa area, north Beit Dajan and embarked on destroying an agricultural road (1080m). Noteworthy, the road was to be delivered to the village council by the implementing body of  "Inclusive Access to and Sustainable Management of Land and Water Resources"  project.

Reportedly, the force also destroyed sixteen rain water harvesting channels (16 m each) that were established under the road.

demolishion rain water harvesting channels

Reportedly, the road was opened to ease the movement of farmers to their lands that are estimated to be of 500 dunums in area, 300 dunums of which are planted with olives where the rest are planted with grains. Noteworthy, the lands belong to some 50 farmers from the area and are located in area classified "C" according to Oslo Accords, which is under Israeli control.

The occupation seeks to ban farmers access to their lands to be left unused. This gives the occupation the chance to claim lands later and to be given for colonial expansionist plans.

It is reported that the road cost $14,000 and was funded by the Netherlands Representative Office through Inclusive Access to and Sustainable Management of Land and Water Resources project that is run by UWAC and implemented by Land Research Center in partnership with Palestinian Hydrology Group and Economic and Social Development Center.

The project's coordinator, agronomist Wael Abu Rumaila, told Land Research Center the following:

" We went the targeted location with all partners to meet with the contractor for the work handover but we were surprised to see some Israeli forces and dozers attacking the road. The force withdrew after one hour after ravaging the road, erecting earth mounds and digging holes in the ground"

The attacked road

The head of Beit Dajan village council, Naser Abu Jish, told Land Research Center the following:

" We received a stop-work order that targets the road on October 18, 2017 and we sought Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid to follow up on the case in Israeli courts. Despite all efforts, the demolition occurred today and we called the lawyer, Wael Al-Qitt, to inform him of the incident".

Land Research Center LRC sees that demolitions contradict with all of the International conventions and Humanitarian laws including:

1. Article 17 of the (1948) Universal Declaration of Human Rights stating: “Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.”
2. Section ‹G› of article 23 of the (1907) The Hague Conventions asserting: “In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden to destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war.”
3. Article 53 of the Geneva Fourth Convention (1948) declaring: “Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.”

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union.

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