Violation: Settler aggression and land bulldozing.

Date of Violation: 14/07/2024.

Location: Al-Majalis – Al-Shyoukh Town / Hebron Governorate.

Perpetrator: Settlers.

Affected Party / Victim: Mr. Ayyad Al-Meshni.

Description: On Sunday, July 14, 2024, settlers from the pastoral outpost established on the lands of Al-Shyoukh, east of Hebron, attacked the lands of Mr. Ayyad Hamed Al-Meshni and bulldozed approximately 2 dunams of his property. The purpose behind the settlers’ bulldozing remains unclear.

Mr. Al-Meshni, aged 66, reported that the settlers from the pastoral outpost began bulldozing part of his land in the "Al-Majalis" area northeast of the town on the mentioned date.

Mr. Al-Meshni informed the Land Research Center's researcher:

"I and my cousins own large tracts of land in the Al-Majalis area. Two years ago, settlers established a pastoral outpost in the area, which involves raising and grazing livestock on the farmers' lands, damaging their trees and attacking them. Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023, the Israeli army and guards from the nearby settlement have been pursuing us and preventing us from accessing our lands. This has allowed the settlers in the pastoral outpost to freely ravage our lands and agricultural property. We have been unable to access our lands since then. About two months ago, my cousins and I attempted to visit our lands to see what the settlers had done, but the settlers attacked us, broke our mobile phones, and the attacks occurred in the presence of Israeli soldiers who facilitated the settlers’ aggression."

Mr. Al-Meshni added:

 "The settlers in the pastoral outpost set up barriers to prevent farmers from accessing their lands and seize their vehicles by force. They graze their livestock on the citizens' lands. We are uncertain about the state of our trees due to overgrazing, and we have been unable to tend to them due to the settlers and Israeli soldiers' restrictions. This is likely to damage our trees and crops."

Regarding the land bulldozing, Mr. Al-Meshni stated: "On the mentioned date, I was observing my land from the opposite mountain, as I was unable to access it due to fear of being attacked. I saw a bulldozer and vehicles belonging to the settlers from the pastoral outpost bulldozing my land. Approximately 2 dunams were leveled and prepared, and I believe the settlers aim to establish a new outpost or set up pens and tents for their livestock. If they establish a new agricultural outpost, it will damage the trees and crops around it, leading to further control and destruction of more lands and crops."

Legal Commentary:

 The Palestinian environment faces numerous violations by the Israeli occupation, disregarding international and national laws protecting environmental rights. The right to live in a clean and healthy environment is a fundamental human right. Despite Israel's signature on major environmental protection agreements such as the Basel Convention (1989), Rotterdam Convention (2008), Stockholm Convention (2001), and Ramsar Convention (1971), and its commitments to air quality and climate standards, it consistently violates these treaties without accountability or oversight.

Additionally, international laws and treaties guarantee the right to a clean and healthy environment for those under military occupation. For example, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, according to UN General Assembly Resolution 2200A (XXI) of December 16, 1966, Article 1, Section 2, states: "... All peoples have the right to freely dispose of their natural resources and wealth without prejudice to any obligations arising from international economic cooperation based on the principle of mutual benefit and international law. In no case shall a people be deprived of its means of subsistence..."

Israeli actions violate both international laws and its own internal laws. According to the Israeli Penal Code of 1977 and its amendments, Article 447 criminalizes unauthorized entry onto someone else's property with the intent to intimidate, insult, or harass, with a penalty of up to two years in prison. If the intruder uses a weapon or causes damage, the penalty can be four years in prison.

Thus, the Israeli aggressors violate not only international laws but also their own domestic laws, and there is a need for the Israeli judiciary to hold settlers accountable. However, there is often no legal accountability for these violations. Nevertheless, every person has the right to live in a clean, safe, and unviolated environment.

Contact Information for Affected Resident: Mr. Ayyad Hamad Mohammed Al-Meshni Phone: 0599675800 Date of Birth: August 29, 1958 Family: 12 members, including 3 children and 7 females.

Legal Intervention: Guidance will be provided for filing a complaint about the violation and preparing proof of land ownership, including obtaining a land registration certificate for the complaint process. Further communication will be maintained.

Respectfully.