Violation: the occupation closes a main road that leads to Shoshala village and         hundreds of agricultural lands.

Location: Street line 60 –Al-Khader village/ Bethlehem Governorate

Date: 03-5-2018 A.D

Aggressors: The occupation army

 Victims: The inhabitants of Al-Khader village.

Details:

 on  3rd May, 2018, bulldozers of the occupation army closed a minor road with rocks and soils. The road starts from the  bypass street- line 60 and leads to hundreds of dunums of agricultural lands in Thaher Azayyah and Ein Alqasees in Al- Khader village.

It is important to mention that the inhabitants of the village use this road to have access to their lands. Furthermore, this road works as a link to Shoshala village; therefore, its closure shall prevent its inhabitants from arriving to their homes, and it also shall prevent the landowners from reaching their agricultural lands.

It must be mentioned that the time of closure coincided with the season of picking grape leaves, and some farmers in Al- Khader village mainly depend on selling them to make a living.  Due to the road closure , many farmers have to suffer losses .

The civilian, Eyad, hereby testifies to the researcher of Land Research Center: '' The occupation army has shut down the agricultural land without any reason though the road facilitates reaching the inhabitants to their lands; it leads to hundreds of dunums of agricultural lands."

 It is important to mention that Shoshala village is a main target of the Israeli army. Settlers have plans to confiscate it , and then use it as a link to their colonies simply because it is located on a hill that has fertile lands and nice scenery . However, the location of Shoshala village among the colonies that have been established on the lands of Al-Khader  town, roils its  serenity. Closing the road is only a proof of the occupation’s constant quest to confiscate lands and create obstacles to prevent the inhabitants from reaching their lands.To know more details about the suffering of Shoshala inhbitants, review the report" Notifying four houses in Shoshala ''  issued by Land Research Center.

The Road Closed by Rocks and Soils

 About Al-Khader village:

Al-Khader village is located 4 km from the western side of Bethlehem, it is bordered by Beit Jala and Batir  from the north, Hussan   and Nahaleen villages from the west, Aldoha, Wadi Rahhal, Beit Jala villages from the east, and Wadi Al-Nees from the south.  Its population is 9774 people in 2007. Its gross area is 8,279 donums; 184 of them are  the construction area.

The Israeli colonies have despoils 29 donums from the village's lands; two are colonies existed upon a part of the lands. The first one " Efrat" was constructed in 1979 A.D; they have usurped 5.8 donums, and its population 7037 colonists. The second one " Nafy Danial" eas constructed on 1982A.D; they have usurped 23 donums, and its population is 1073 colonists. A part of which is established upon the village's lands.

  The bypass roads number 60 and 375 also despoiled   more than 487 donums. In     addition to establishing the apartheid upon its lands which causes the demolishing of 280 donums and isolating of 5638 donums behind it. The length of this apartheid existing upon the village's land is 2,805 meters.

The village's lands are classified in accordance with Oslo concord into areas( A,B ,C). Area A  composes 10% , Area B 6%, Area C is the greatest area and it is under the total  occupation domination, and it composes 84% from the total area. The areas are clarified in donums as following:

Area A (808) donums

AreaB (475) donums

Area C(6,996) donums .

 Legal Commentary:

• The constringing policy  by the Israel occupation authorities   towards the Palestinian civilians in all West Bank's governorate including closing roads and obstructing their movement  can only be regarded as a violation of their right in the liberty of movement pledged by all  international conventions  and agreements like:

• The  Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948) article(13) states:

• Every person has the right of liberty of movement and to choose his place of residence inside the borders of each country.

• Each person has the right to depart  or to come back  to any country including his country.

• The Universal Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of  Racial Discrimination (1965) article 3(5)paragrah2-d

• Every person has the right of liberty of movement and to choose his place of residence inside the borders of each country.

• Each person has the right to depart  or to come back  to any country including his country.

• The Universal covenant on civil and political rights (1966) article(12-3)

• Each person legally has the liberity to move and to select his residence place.

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.