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BTselemTheIsraeliInformationCenterforHumanRightsintheOccupiedTerritories

Acting the Landlord: Israel's Policy in Area C, the West Bank

June 2013

(02) 6749111 ,(02) 6735599 ,91531 ,53132 .. ,8 8Hata'asiyaSt.,P.O.B53132Jerusalem91531,Tel.(02)6735599,Fax(02)6749111 mail@btselem.orghttp://www.btselem.org

 ResearchedandwrittenbyNogaKadman EditedbyYaelStein DatacoordinationbyAtefAbuaRub,SalmaaDeb'I,MusaAbuHashhash,KareemJubran,Suha Zeid,IyadHadad,MatanMizrahi,AmerAruri GeographicinformationprocessedbyShaiEfrati TranslatedbyDebReich LanguageeditingbyShuliSchneiderman BTselemwishestothankAlonCohenLifshitzandNirShalevofBimkom;Adv.QuamarMishirqi AssadofRabbisforHumanRights;Yehezkel Lein and Sohad SakallaofOCHA;Att.TamarFeldman ofACRI;Att.TaufikJabarin;HagitOfranofPeaceNow;DrorEtkes.

ISBN:978-965-7613-05-4

Introduction
Some60percentofWestBanklandshavebeenclassifiedasAreaCeversincetheinitialstagesof theOsloAccordswereimplementedinthe1990s.AreaCwhichremainsunderfullIsraelicontrol, includingIsraelijurisdictionoverplanningandconstructionishometoanestimated180,000 PalestiniansandincludesthemajorresidentialanddevelopmentlandreservesforallWestBank communities. IsraelstrictlylimitsPalestiniansettlement,constructionanddevelopmentinAreaC,whileignoring theneedsofthePalestinianpopulation.ThispolicymeansPalestinianresidentsmustsubsistinvery rudimentarylivingconditions.Theyaredeniedanylegalavenuetobuildhomesordeveloptheir communities,sotheyfacetheconstantfearthattheirhousesmightbedemolished,andthey expelledandlosetheirlivelihood. AreaCcoversmostoftheWestBank,andincludes165islandsofAreaAandBland.These scatteredislandsarehometothemajorconcentrationsofpopulationintheWestBank. Consequently,IsraelspolicyinAreaChasramificationsforresidentsthroughouttheWestBank.The boundariesoutlinedforAreasAandBimposeanartificialscarcityoflandinsomeofthe communitiesintheseareas.Thisisoneofthecontributingfactorstothedifficultyinobtaininglots forconstruction,thesteeppricehikeforthefewavailableplots,thedearthofopenareas,andthe totallackofsuitablesitesforinfrastructureandindustrialzones.If,forwantofanalternative, residentsoftheseareasbuildhomeswithoutpermitsonnearbylandownedbythembutclassified AreaCtheyliveundertheshadowoftheeverpresentthreatofdemolition. ThisreportpresentsIsraelspolicyasitisimplementedinAreaC,primarilybytheCivil Administration,andexploresthepolicysimplicationsforthepopulationoftheWestBankasa whole.ThereportfocusesonseveralspecificlocationsinAreaCwheretheimpactonthelivesof residentsisparticularlysignificant. ChapterIofthereportpresentsdataaboutAreaC,detailingIsraelsplanningandconstructionpolicy thereanddiscussestheimpactonthePalestinianresidents.Thenextchapterspresentfourcases thatillustrateIsraelspolicy: ChapterIIfocusesontheSouthHebronHillswheretherearedozensofPalestinianvillagesthatthe CivilAdministrationrefusestorecognizeandforwhichitdoesnotpreparemasterplans.Over1,000 people,residentsofeightofthesevillages,currentlyliveundertheperpetualthreatofexpulsionfor residinginadesignatedfiringzone.

 ChapterIIIdescribestheCivilAdministrationsplantouprootatleasttwothousandBedouinsfrom thevicinityofthesettlementofMaaleAdumimandtransferthemtosocalledpermanent communities,inordertoexpandnearbyIsraelisettlementsandestablishacontiguousbuiltup bloclinkingthesettlementstothecityofJerusalem.Previously,hundredsofBedouinsfromthis areahadbeendisplacedfortheestablishmentandthentheexpansionofMaaleAdumim. ChapterIVdiscussesthePalestiniancommunitiesoftheJordanValley,whoseinhabitantsare subjectedtofrequenthousedemolitions.Theyareoccasionallyevacuatedforthebenefitofmilitary exercisesandmustdealwiththeconfiscationofwatercisternsthatarethesourceofdrinkingwater forthemandtheirlivestock. ChapterVpresentsthesituationinseveralPalestiniancommunitiesmostofwhosebuiltupareais locatedinAreaB.Yetmostofthesecommunitieslandsavailableforconstructionofhomes, infrastructureandpublicservicesarelocatedinAreaC,wheretheCivilAdministrationdoesnot allowconstructionanddevelopment.

Chapter I: Israel in Area C

IsraelpolicyinAreaCisanchoredinaperceptionoftheareaasmeantabovealltoserveIsraelsown needs:developmentofIsraelisettlements,militaryexercises,economicinterests,andsoforth. Consequently,thepolicyrestrictsPalestinianconstructionanddevelopmentandignorestheneeds ofthePalestinianpopulation.TheCivilAdministrationstrictlyenforcesthispolicythroughitsarsenal oflegal,planningandadministrativetools.Atthesametime,Israelencouragestheexpansionand developmentofIsraelisettlementsinAreaCbymeansofaparallelplanningmechanism,thisone supportiveandflexible,whiletheCivilAdministrationturnsablindeyetoanybuildingviolationsin thesettlements.

What is Area C?
Since1995,whentheInterimAgreementsbetweenIsraelandthePLOwentintoeffect,theWest Bankhasbeendividedintothreecategories.AreaA,currentlycomprisingabout18percentofthe landintheWestBank,includesthePalestiniancitiesandmostofthePalestinianpopulationofthe WestBank.InAreaB,whichcomprisesapproximately22percentoftheWestBank,includinglarge ruralareas,Israelretainedsecuritycontrolwhiletransferringcontrolofcivilmatterstothe PalestinianAuthority(PA).InAreaC,covering60percentoftheWestBank(about340,000 hectares),Israelcontrolsbothsecuritymattersandalllandrelatedcivilmatters,includingland allocation,planningandconstruction,andinfrastructure.1ThePAisresponsibleforproviding educationandmedicalservicestoAreaCresidents.However,constructionoftheinfrastructure necessaryfortheseservicesremainsinIsraelshands.TheCivilAdministrationisresponsibleforthe managementofthecivilmattersthatremainedunderIsraelicontrolinAreaC. TheCivilAdministrationintheWestBankwasestablishedin1981totakeoverthemanagementof thePalestinianpopulationscivilaffairs,hithertomanageddirectlybytheIsraelimilitary.Themilitary ordersettinguptheCivilAdministrationstatedthatthelatterwillmanagecivilmattersinthearea, []forthebenefitandwelfareofthepopulationandtoprovideandoperatepublicservices,taking
1

TheWestBankhasanareaofapproximately560,000hectares.SeeBTselem,ByHookandByCrook:Israeli

SettlementPolicyintheWestBank,July2010,p.?. http://www.btselem.org/publications/summaries/201007_by_hook_and_by_crook[allwebsitesmentionedin notesaccessedon29May2013]InareasoftheWestBankannexedtoJerusalemin1967,Israelilawisapplied; theseareasarenotincludedinAreaCandthisreportwillnotaddressthem.

 intoconsiderationtheneedforproperadministrationandpublicorderinthearea.2Theheadofthe CivilAdministrationreportstotheCoordinatorofGovernmentActivitiesintheTerritories(COGAT), whichispartofIsraelsMinistryofDefense.WhentheOsloAccordswereimplementedin1995, someoftheCivilAdministrationspowersweretransferredtothePA,butitretainedtheauthority forplanningandconstructioninAreaC. ThedivisionoftheWestBankintoAreasA,BandCwasdonemostlyonthebasisofdemographics, notgeography:AreasAandB,whichincludethemajorityofPalestinianpopulationcentersinthe WestBank(withover2.4millionpeople)aresubdividedinto165isolatedunitsoflandhavingno territorialcontiguityandsurroundedbyAreaCland.3Incontrast,AreaCisfullycontiguous.Thisarea includesnearlyallthelandintheeasternpartoftheWestBank,fromtheeasternslopesofthe mountainstotheJordanRiver,inadditiontobroadswathesoflandinthecentralandwesternWest Bank.Anestimated180,000PalestiniansliveinAreaCtoday,ofwhom60,000liveinsome290 villagesandcommunitieswhoseentirelandareaisentirelywithinAreaC.4Therestliveinnearlytwo hundredothervillagesandhamlets,onlysomeofwhoseland,mostlybuiltupland,iswithinAreaC, withtheremainderoftheirlandbeinginAreaAorAreaB.5 OftheresidentsofvillageslocatedentirelywithinAreaC,about27,000liveinBedouincommunities orotherherdingcommunities.Theseresidentsliveintents,tinshacksorcavesandhaveonlyvery limitedaccesstoservicesandnoconnectiontowater,sanitationorelectricityinfrastructure.The leveloffoodinsecurityinthesecommunitiesofshepherdsishigh,at34percentafterprovisionof
2

IsraelMilitaryOrderNo.947ConcerningtheEstablishmentofaCivilianAdministration(JudeaandSamaria),

57421981, http://www.law.idf.il/Templates/GetFile/GetFile.aspx?FileName=XGF5b3NoLWRvY3NcdGhpa2FcdHphdmltXDk 0Ny5kb2M=&InfoCenterItem=true;seeEnglishversionat: http://www.israellawresourcecenter.org/israelmilitaryorders/fulltext/mo0947.htm

3

ThelatterfigurewascalculatedbasedondatacrunchingbyShaiEfrati.Thefigureonpopulationsizeistaken

fromthewebsiteofthePalestinianCentralBureauofStatistics,at: http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/site/881/default.aspx#Population.
4

DataonpopulationandvillageswasconveyedbyAlonCohenLifshitzofBimkom,inameetingon26

December2012.ThedataarebasedonanupdateofcomparabledatapresentedbyBimkominTheProhibited ZoneIsraeliPlanningPolicyinthePalestinianVillagesinAreaC,June2008;seeEnglishversion(2009)at: http://bimkom.org.il/eng/theprohibitedzone/.

5

ThefigurewascalculatedbasedongeographicdatacrunchingbyShaiEfrati.

 assistance,comparedwithafigureof24percentamongthePalestinianpopulationofAreaCasa whole,and17percentinAreasAandB.6 TheboundariesofAreaCweredrawninsuchawaythatall120IsraelisettlementsintheWestBank areincludedwithinit,7asareallthejurisdictionalareasofthesettlementsandtheirregional councils.Theseareasencompassnearly240,000hectaresalmost43percentoftheWestBank, whichincludethemajorityofstateland.8 Inthemid1990ssomeonehundredoutpostswerealso establishedinAreaCsettlementserectedwithoutformalpermissionfromstateauthorities,but withtheirencouragementandassistance.9Atleast325,000settlerswerelivinginthesettlements andoutpostsattheendof2011.10 IsraelipolicyinAreaChassubstantialimpactonallPalestinianresidentsoftheWestBankmore than2.5millionpeople.ThedemarcationofAreasAandBwasdonebydelineatingthebordersof concentrationsofPalestinianpopulationatthetimetheInterimOsloAccordsweresigned.Theareas thatsurroundAandBclassifiedasAreaCcomprisethefuturelandreservesoftheentire
6

SocioEconomicandFoodSecuritySurvey2011,FAO,UNRWA,WFP,PCBS,May2012,p.7;seeat:

http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/ena/wfp232398.pdf
7

ThisfiguredoesnotincludethesettlementsinHebron,whichisnotpartofAreaC.Seethejoint

reportbyBTselemandtheAssociationforCivilRightsinIsrael,GhostTown:Israel'sSeparationPolicy
andForcedEvictionofPalestiniansfromtheCenterofHebron,May2007:

http://www.BTselemBtselem.org/publications/summaries/200705_hebron
8

BTselem,ByHookandByCrook,p.??[Hebrewpage11] TaliaSasson,CommunicationsDivision,PrimeMinistersOffice,OpiniononUnauthorizedOutposts,April

2005(hereinafter:Sasson,OpiniononOutposts),p.19,at http://www.pmo.gov.il/SiteCollectionDocuments/PMO/Communication/Spokesman/sason2.pdf[Hebrew]; andanEnglishsummaryofthereportat http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/aboutisrael/state/law/pages/summary%20of%20opinion%20concerning%20unaut horized%20outposts%20%20talya%20sason%20adv.aspx Seealsobelow,p.?,

10

CentralBureauofStatistics(Israel),IsraelStatisticalAbstract2012,Table2.6,PopulationbyDistrict,Sub

District,andReligion,p.100: http://www.cbs.gov.il/shnaton63/st02_06x.pdf

 PalestinianpopulationoftheWestBank.Intheseareasliesthedevelopmentpotentialofthe PalestiniancommunitiesandoftheeconomyoftheWestBank,includingminingofminerals,useof waterresources,agriculture,pastureland,establishmentofindustrialzonesandtourism development.Theseareasarealsomeanttoallowforthedevelopmentandexpansionofexisting communitiesandtheconstructionofinfrastructure,suchaswastetreatmentfacilitiesorindustrial areas,whichcannotbesituatednearresidentialhousing.Likewise,themaintenanceofinter communityinfrastructure,includingroadsandwaterandelectricitygridsrequirespassagethrough andworkinAreaC.11

Planning and construction policy for Palestinians in Area C

Areas where construction is prohibited

TheCivilAdministrationprohibitsPalestiniansfrombuildinginvastareasoftheWestBank,via variousrationales: FortytwopercentofAreaCisdefinedbyIsraelasstateland.Someofthislandwasregisteredas statelandduringtheBritishandJordanianrules,andtherestwasdeclaredassuchbyIsrael.The wayinwhichtheseareasweredeclaredstatelandwasbasedonadistortedinterpretationofthe law,andincludedthedesignationofprivatePalestinianownedlandasstateland.12Beyondthat, however,evenifallthelandinquestionhadbeenlawfullydeclaredstateland,accordingto internationallawthislandissupposedtoservetheneedsofthepopulationintheoccupiedterritory thatis,Palestinians.Inpractice,IsraelhasalmostentirelyprohibitedPalestinianconstructionand developmentonthelandintheseareasanddesignatesitalmostexclusivelyforIsraelisettlements, theIsraelimilitaryandIsraeliinfrastructure.

11

SeeWorldBank,TheEconomicEffectsofRestrictedAccesstoLandintheWestBank,October2008,p.2

(hereinafter,WorldBank,AccesstoLand), http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWESTBANKGAZA/Resources/EconomicEffectsofRestrictedAccesstoLand intheWestBankOct.20,08.pdf

12

SeeBTselem,UndertheGuiseofLegality:DeclarationsonstatelandintheWestBank,March2010.

http://www.Btselem.org/publications/summaries/201203_under_the_guise_of_legality

 AccordingtodataprovidedbytheCivilAdministration,followingapetitionsubmittedbyIsraeli NGOsAssociationforCivilRightsinIsrael(ACRI)andBimkom,sincetheoccupationoftheWestBank in1967theCivilAdministrationhasallocatedonly0.6percentofstatelandinAreaC(860hectares) toPalestinians.Yetabout31percentofthatland(approximately40,000hectares)wasallocatedto theWorldZionistOrganization,whichengagesindevelopmentofthesettlements,approximately8 percent(approximately10,300hectares)wasallocatedtosettlementauthoritiesandIsraelimobile phonecompanies,andapproximately12percent(approximately16,000hectares)wasallocatedto governmentministriesaswellasIsraeliinfrastructureandutilitycompaniessuchastheBezeq telephonecompany,theElectricCompanyandthenationalwatercompanyMekorot.13These percentageswerecalculatedbasedontheestimategivenbytheCivilAdministrationinthestates responsetothepetitionwhichemphasizedthatthiswasmerelyanestimatebasedonmapsthat werewhollyimprecise14statingthatthereare130,000hectaresofstateland.15 Inlate1993IsraelceaseddeclaringstatelandsintheWestBank,andin1997enactedaregulation regardingthemonitoringandpreservationofsurveylands,theirmanagementandtheremovalof squatters.Theregulationwasdesignedtoexaminethestatusoflandsthathadnotundergonethe processofregistrationordeclarationasstatelands,withaviewtokeepingthemasgovernmental propertyandenabletheirusebythestate(e.g.,incorporatingthemaspartofasettlementslocal councilarea).16Approximately7,000hectaresofAreaCareclassifiedassurveylands,and Palestiniansmaynotbuildthere.17

13

AdministrativePetition402230310,DistrictCourtinJerusalemsittingastheCourtforAdministrative

Matters,Bimkometalv.CivilAdministrationetal.,Respondentsamendedwritofresponsedated8December 2011,andlettertoACRIfromTzionShukeroftheCivilAdministrationdated4February2013.Thedocuments areavailable(Hebrewonly),viathelinksfollowinganACRIarticle(Hebrew)at: http://www.acri.org.il/he/?p=26514;theEnglishversionofthatarticleisat: http://www.acri.org.il/en/2013/04/23/infosheetstatelandopt/

14

AdministrativePetition402230310,Respondentsamendedwritofresponsedated8December2011,29.

[Hebrew]
15

Respondentsamendedwritofresponse,9. ,,,,,,pp.206207. BTselem,.p.XX,http://www.mmi.gov.il/static/agapim.asp[Hebrew]

16

17

 ThirtypercentofAreaClandisdesignatedasmilitaryfiringzones;mostoftheseareasareinthe JordanValleyandsomeareonstateland.18AsestimatedbytheUnitedNationsOfficeforthe CoordinationofHumanitarianAffairsintheoccupiedPalestinianterritories(OCHA),about5,000 Palestinianslivein38communitiesintheseareas.19TheCivilAdministrationprohibitsPalestinian constructionintheseareasandendeavorstodisplacethem.20Similarly,Palestiniansareprohibited frombuildingonareasdeclarednaturepreserves(onetenthoftheWestBank,somewhichalso serveasfiringzones).21 AnothermeasureIsraelusestopreventPalestinianconstructionisIsraelsregionalroadplanforthe WestBank,NationalMasterPlan(NMA)50,whichtheCivilAdministrationapprovedin1991.The plandelineatedmanylocalroadsintheWestBankasregionalormajorrouteswhosewidthisupto 100meters,althoughinreality,thesearenarrowroadswithlittletraffic.Israelhasprohibited buildingwithinseventymetersoneithersideaprohibitionevenbroaderthanthatinNMA3,the correspondingplaninIsrael.22TheserestrictionshaveanimpactonPalestinianvillageslocatednear existingorplannedroadsthathavebeenclassifiedundertheplanasmajorarteries.

18

OCHA,TheHumanitarianImpactofIsraelideclaredFiringZonesintheWestBank,August2012.

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_firing_zone_factsheet_august_2012_english.pdf;BTselem, DispossessionandExploitation:IsraelsPolicyintheJordanValleyandNorthernDeadSea,May2011,p.14 http://www.Btselem.org/publications/summaries/dispossessionandexploitationisraelspolicyjordanvalley andnortherndeadse.

19

OCHA,AreaCoftheWestBank:KeyHumanitarianConcerns,January2013,

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_area_c_factsheet_January_2013_english.pdf
20

Seebelow,ontheSouthHebronHillsatpage??andtheJordanValleyatpage??. SeeOCHA,RestrictingSpace:ThePlanningRegimeAppliedbyIsraelinAreaCoftheWestBank,December

21

2009:http://unispal.un.org/unispal.nsf/0/b136572e8ee41fba8525768d00514356?OpenDocument,pp.56 [Hebrew]
22

SeecomparativetableinBimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.111.Seealsobelow,thecaseofthevillageof

Jiftlik,atpage??.

10

 AllthissignificantlyreducedthespaceavailabletoPalestiniansforlivingandearningalivelihood. Afterdeductingforoverlapamongthevariousareasdescribedabove,Palestiniansareprohibited frombuildingonabout70percentofAreaC.23

Restrictive planning processes24

TheprohibitionsthatpreventPalestiniansfrombuildingonstateland,inmilitaryfiringzones,in naturereservesandalongsidemajorroadsleaveonlyabout30percentofAreaClandonwhich constructionsinnotaprioriprohibited.TheCivilAdministration,however,imposessevere restrictionsevenintheseareasand,inpractice,allowsPalestinianstobuildononlyabouthalfof onepercentofthatarea(approximately1,800hectares),aconsiderableportionofwhichisalready builtup.25 Underinternationallaw,theoccupyingpowermusthonortheexistinglawinterritoryitoccupies andmaychangeitonlywhenrequiredformilitarypurposesorforthebenefitofthelocal population.Hence,planningandconstructionpolicyforAreaCoughttocontinuetorelyon JordanianplanninglawintheWestBankwhenIsraeloccupiedtheareain1967.Notwithstanding, thislawwasalteredsubstantiallybyorderoftheIsraelimilitary.Themilitaryorderdidawaywiththe localanddistrictplanningcommitteeswhichenabledtherepresentationofthelocalpopulationin theplanningprocess,andtransferredexclusiveauthorityoverplanningprocessestotheCivil Administration.26Thismovewasmadealthoughitdidnotserveanymilitaryneedandcertainlydid notbenefitthePalestinianresidents. Thusfar,theCivilAdministrationhasavoidedapprovinganymasterplanatallformorethan90 percentofthevillageslocatedentirelywithinAreaC,27thereforetheseplansarestillsubjecttothe Britishmandateerasubdistrictmasterplansapprovedinthe1940s.Theseplansremainedinforce
23

OCHA,RestrictingSpace. ForacomprehensivedescriptionofIsraelsplanningpolicyforAreaC,seeBimkom,TheProhibitedZone. FromaconversationwithAlonCohenLifshitzofBimkominameetingon26December2012.Seebelow.

24

25

26

OrderConcerningtheCity,VillageandBuildingPlanningLaw(JudeaandSamaria)(No.418),57311971.

SeeBimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.40ff.
27

Aminorityofthesevillagesareinthemidstofaplanningprocess,althoughsofaramasterplanhasnot

beenapprovedforthem.Seebelow.

11

 underJordanianruleintheWestBank,andIsraeldidnotalterthemwhenmakingchangestothe planninglaw.Undertheseexistingplans,mostofthelandcurrentlypartofAreaCwasdesignated agricultural,whereonlyonemainbuildingmaybebuiltineveryoriginalplot(i.e.,thatwasnotsub divided)ofatleastonethousandsquaremeters(equivalenttoatenthofahectare).Howeverwith permissionfromtheplanningauthorities,theplansenabledivisionofeachoriginalplotinto constructionblocsof1,000sq.meterseach,oneachofwhichonemainstandalonestructuremay bebuilt,therebyconstructingaresidentialareathatcouldmeettheneedsofamediumsizedvillage. TheCivilAdministration,however,doesnotusetheMandatoryplanstograntconstructionpermits. Instead,itusesthemonlyforthepurposeofissuingdemolitionordersforstructuresPalestinians builtwithoutpermits.28 Overtheyears,theCivilAdministrationhasprofferedvariousexplanationsforitsrefusaltoplan villages,includingsayingthatavillageislocatedwithinanarcheologicalsite,29havinglandreserves innearbyPalestiniancommunitieswhichtheCivilAdministrationhaschosentoplanandtowhichit proposesthatresidentsofvillageswithoutmasterplansmove;30andthedesignationofvillagesas collectionsofillegalstructuresthathavenobasisforauthorizationfromaplanningstandpoint.31 TheCivilAdministrationreliesonthesepretextseveninthecaseofvillagesthathaveexistedfor decades,andevenwhentheyarelocatedontheirownland.

28

FormoreonthesubjectofMandatoryplans,seeBimkom,TheProhibitedZone,pp.4373. HCJ11258/05,HCJ 11258/05, MajedAfifArefetal.v.SubcommitteeforBuildingSupervisionetal.,

29

Respondentsresponsedated27November2008,paragraph45[Hebrew].Seealso,regardingthevillageofZif: Bimkom,TheProhibitedZone,pp.96;119120 [NOTEreHCJ11258/05,inthisnoteIgavethecitationasIfounditonline;NogagivesHaninietal.instead (anotherpetitionersnameinsamecase) ]

30

HCJ11258/05,paragraphs4244[Hebrew];HCJ11258/05,paragraphs4244;HCJ7151/05AlNajadaetal.

v.CommanderofIDFForcesintheWestBanketal.,Respondentsresponsedated13May2009regardinga Duqaiqah;andHCJ6612/10Dababatetal.v.CommanderofIDFForcesintheWestBanketal.,Respondents responsedated26July2011,paragraphs3839regardingalFarisiyah(also,concerningthesevillages,see below,pp.??and??,respectively)[Hebrew].

31

See,e.g.,HCJ7151/05,AlNajadaetal.v.CommanderofIDFForcesintheWestBanketal.,Respondents

responsedated13May2009,paragraph30[Hebrew].

12

 Between1987and1995,theCivilAdministrationdrafted380plansforvillagesintheWestBank.32 Apartfromjust6ofthethesevillageslocatedinwhatistodayAreaC,alltheotherhundredsof villageswithplansarelocatedinAreasAandBbut,regardingapproximately150ofthem,theplan alsocoverssectionsofthevillagesthatarelocatedtodaywithinAreaC.33Between2006and2008, theCivilAdministrationapprovedplansforanother10villagesinAreaC,sothattherearecurrently suchplansforonly16lessthanatenthofthe180Palestinianvillageswhoselandisentirely withinAreaC.34Inaddition,planshavebeenapprovedforthepermanentvillageestablishedbythe CivilAdministrationfortheBedouinJahalintribeevictedfromtheMaaleAdumimarea.35 AllofthemasterplansapprovedweredraftedbytheCivilAdministrationwithoutresidents participation.Insteadofformulatingaplanthatwouldpermitacommunitytodevelop,the boundariesintheseplansweresetusingthealreadybuiltupareasofeachvillage,basedonaerial photographs.TheentireareaoftheplansboththoseforthevillageswhollywithinAreaCand thoseforvillagesonlypartlyinAreaCcoversonlyaboutonehalfofonepercentofAreaC.36 The limitedbuildingareathesemasterplansdesignatedfornotonlyexcludedtheopenlandsurrounding agivenvillage,despiteitsbeingavailablefordevelopment,butsometimesevenexcludedexisting structuresattheoutskirtsofthevillage.Theplansdonotlabelareasforpublicpurposessuchas schoolsorclinicsandtheyprojectahighpopulationdensityupto15homesperhectareofbuiltup area.37
32

CoordinatorofGovernmentActivitiesintheTerritories,ProjectsinAreaC,September2012,p.41thisisthe

Englishpage(hereinafter:COGAT,ProjectsinAreaC).ViewfullreportasaPDFviaclickablelinkattoprighton thiswebpage: http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/peace/humanitarian/pages/projects_in_area_c_20112012.aspx Forsomeofthevillages,afewplanswereapproved,whilesomeplansincludedanumberofvillages.See Bimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.81.

33

Bimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.81. DataconveyedbyAlonCohenLifshitzofBimkominameetingon26December2012. Seebelow,ChapterIII. ConveyedbyAlonCohenLifshitzofBimkom,inameetingon26December2012.FormoreonCivil

34

35

36

Administrationmasterplans,seeBimkom,TheProhibitedZone,pp.81125.
37

Bimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.86.Foradiscussionofpopulationdensityinthemasterplans,seeThe

ProhibitedZone,pp.85104.

13

 IsraeliNGOBimkomsubmittedobjectionsonbehalfofthevillagerstofiveplansforAreaCvillages theCivilAdministrationsince2006filedforpubliccomment.Someoftheobjectionswerethe following:thenoninclusionofvillageresidentsindraftingtheplan,reducedlandarea,exclusionof existingstructuresfromthebuiltupareaintheplan,andthehighdensityslatedforthevillageas planned.ObjectionstotheplanforthevillageofZifintheSouthHebronHills,werenotaccepted, andconsequently,BimkomandRabbisforHumanRightspetitionedtheHighCourtofJustice.38 Furthertothepetition,thestateannouncedthatitplanstoprepareanadditionalplanforthe structuresthatwereleftoutoftheoriginalmasterplan.Todate,theCivilAdministrationhas acceptedsomeofBimkomsobjectionstotheotherplansanddecidedtodraftrevisedplans(forthe villagesofBruqinandTanak,whicharepartlyinAreaBandpartlyinAreaC,andforthevillagesof aTuwaniandUmaRihaninareaC).Therevisedplanshaveyettobeapprovedorputintoeffect. DuringthediscussionoftheobjectionstotheplansubmittedbytheCivilAdministrationforthe villageofUmaRihan,theObjectionsSubcommitteeoftheCivilAdministrationsSupremePlanning Councilagreedthatinlightoftheannulmentoftheauthorityofthelocalandregionalplanning committeesasdefinedinJordanianlaw,theneedmightarisetoreceiveinformationfromlocal sourcesaspartoftheplanningprocess.Theystatedthathereafter,beforeaplanisdrafted,the planningauthoritiesintendtoascertaintheattitudeoflocalfigures[],concerningtheplanning possibilitiesfortheplace.39Likewise,thecommitteeclarifiedthatplanssimilartotheoneforUma Rihanthatistoberevisedhadbeenpreviouslyapproved,andthattheplanningauthoritiesshould learnthelessonsofpastexperienceandadapttheirpolicyaccordingly.40 TherevisedplanforthevillageofUmaRihanwaspreparedafterindepthdiscussionofthe objectionssubmittedbyBimkomonbehalfofthevillagecouncil.Thenewplandidnotrestrictitself tomerelydesignatingvillageboundaries,asdidpriorplans,andhenceitdoesabetterjobof meetingtheneedsofvillageresidents:residentialdensitydroppedfrom10residentialunitsper0.1 hectare(about55persons)to3to5unitsper0.1hectare(approximately16to27persons),land wasdesignatedandareasallocatedwithinthevillageforpublicpurposesandfutureresidential expansion.Theareafortheplanwasincreasedby120percent,yetmostoftheadditionallandis
38

HCJ5118/08MohammedShatatetal.v.SupremePlanningCouncil,Petitiondated8June2008[Hebrew]. ProtocolNo.5/09oftheSubcommitteeonObjectionsoftheSupremePlanningCouncildated29March

39

2009,paragraph71.
40

ProtocolNo.5/09,paragraph183.

14

 unavailableforconstructioninthenearfuture,becausetheplanbarsconstructiontherepriorto reroutinganearbyregionalroad. In2009,theEuropeanUnionanditsmemberstatesbeganinvestinginplanningforPalestinian communitiesinAreaC.BritainandtheEUfundedthedraftingofmasterplansfor32villages, preparedbythePalestinianorganizationInternationalPeaceandCoordinationCenter(IPCC),41in coordinationwiththePA.Assoonastheplanswerecompleted,beginninginJuly2011,theywere submittedtotheCivilAdministration.Thusfar,notasingleplanhasbeenapproved.Another35 plansareinpreparation29byaprivatePalestiniancompanywithBelgianfunding,andsixbythe IPCC,withBritishfunding.EuropeaninvestmentintheplanningofAreaCcommunitiesiscurrently 2.7millionEuros.42 In2010theCivilAdministrationdecidedtoretaintheservicesofaprivatePalestinianplanning companytoprepareamasterplanforthevillagesinAreaC.TheCivilAdministrationevenbegan includingrepresentativesofthePAinthedeliberationsabouttheplanningand,inconjunctionwith itsdecisiontorevisethemasterplanforthevillageofaTuwani,decidedtodiscusstheplanforthe villagesubmittedbytheIPCC. In2011,theCivilAdministrationpublishedalistofthecriteriaitreportedlyusesindecidingwhether toprepareamasterplanforbuiltupareasinAreaC.Thesecriteriarelatetothesizeofthebuiltup area;ageanddensityoftheconstruction;proximitytoanexistingcommunity,anaturepreserveor archeologicalsite;andthepossibilitiesoferectingpublicbuildingsandinfrastructure.43Onthe strengthofthesecriteria,theCivilAdministrationhasalreadydisqualifiedplanningforexisting villages,ignoringthefactthatPalestiniansarecurrentlylivingthere,andsometimeshavebeenfor decades.44
SeeTheInternationalPeaceandCooperationCenterwebsiteat:http://home.ipcc

41

jerusalem.org/en/ipcc/6/478/?tn=Urban_Planning_and_Zoning
42

?AIDA?Hebsaid:[]

43

See,e.g.,HCJ9715/07Batatetal.v.SubcommitteeforSupervisionofBuildinginJudeaandSamariaetal.,

Respondentsresponseof23December2011,paragraph20[Hebrew].http://www.acri.org.il/he/wp content/uploads/2012/07/hit9715tguva.pdf
44

ForinstancethevillageofaDuqaiqahintheSouthHebronHills(seebelow,p.?).

15

 IntheprocessofoutsideplanningbytheCivilAdministrationthereare,today,abouttwentymaster plansforvillagesinAreaCwhoselandliespartlywithinAreaB.Accordingtomediareports,among thetokengesturesthatIsraelhasdecidedtomaketowardthePAtoeasediplomaticpressureon Israel,in2013theCivilAdministrationplanstoinvestNIS3,000,000(approximatelyUSD822,000)for thepurposeofdraftingmasterplansforPalestinianvillagesinAreaC.Thenumberofrelevant villageshasnotbeenmentioned.45 Inviewofdevelopmentsinrecentyears,atrendhasbecomeevidentofapositivechangeintheCivil AdministrationsplanningprocessinAreaC.Thechangeincludesawillingnesstoacceptobjections fromaprofessionalplanningentity,suchastheNGOBimkom,withrespecttoamasterplandrafted bytheCivilAdministration;toacknowledgetheproblematicalnatureofitsplansinthepast;to revokeplansalreadypreparedandtoorderthedraftingofnewplans.Anotherchangehasbeento turnoverplanningtoPalestinians;andmaintainingcontactwiththePAabouttheplanningfor villagesinAreaC.Nevertheless,since2008,notevenoneCivilAdministrationmasterplanhasgone intoeffect,soitisnotyetpossibletodeterminewhethertherehas,infact,beenasubstantive change.

Home demolitions
AllPalestinianconstructioninAreaCwhetherofprivatehomes,agriculturalstructures,or infrastructurerequirestheapprovaloftheCivilAdministration.Givenitspolicies,theprospectsfor receivingabuildingpermitoutsidethescopeofthemasterplansisnegligible.Therefore,most Palestiniansfeelanapplicationisworthlessanddonotevensubmitone.Some,leftwithnoother alternative,choosetobuildtheirhomeswithoutapermitandthenapplyforapermitonlyafter beingissuedastopworkorder.Between2000and2010,Palestinianssubmitted3,050applications forbuildingpermitstotheCivilAdministration.Only197just6.5percentwereapproved.46This percentagewasespeciallylowforthelasttwoyearsforwhichtheCivilAdministrationhasprovided
45

ChaimLevinson,Haaretz,IsraeltoretroactivelylegalizePalestinianconstructioninAreaCofWestBank,

19March2013,http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israeltoretroactivelylegalizepalestinian constructioninareacofwestbank.premium1.510502
46

Bimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.10;Responsedated22March2011from1stLt.LaurenTalaloftheCivil

Administration,toarequestundertheFreedomofInformationActsubmittedbyNirShalevofBimkom.The datafrom2007donotincludethemonthsofOctoberthroughDecember.

16

 statistics:in20092010,only13applicationsamere1.7percentwereapprovedofatotalof776 submitted. Palestinianswhobuiltwithoutapermit,receivedastopworkorder,anddidnotapplyforapermit receiveafinaldemolitionorderfromtheCivilAdministration.Ifanapplicationissubmittedaftera stopworkorderisreceivedandtheapplicationisrejected,ademolitionorderissent,butitcanbe appealed.Innearlyallcasestheappealisalsorejected,ongroundsthatthebuildingcontravenes theBritishMandatorymasterplanvalidatthatlocation,andafinaldemolitionorderisthen issued.47AnappealagainstmaybemadeonlytotheIsraeliHighCourtofJusticeanexpensiveand lengthyprocedurethatmostAreaCresidentscannotafford. TheCivilAdministrationpublisheddataregardingdemolitionordersitissuedanddemolitionsit carriedoutonlythroughtheendof2010.On23December2012,BTselemcontactedtheCivil Administrationandaskedforupdateddata.TheCivilAdministrationdidnotfulfillitsobligation undertheFreedomofInformationAct,anddidnotconveythedata.InMarch2013BTselem submittedaproceduralappeal,whichisstillinprocess.48AccordingtoCivilAdministrationdata,in recentyearsithasissuedthousandsofdemolitionordersforPalestinianstructuresinAreaC:inthe period20002009,onaverage,theCivilAdministrationservedsome660demolitionordersayearto Palestinians.49TherearevillagesinAreaCwithdemolitionordersoutstandingonnearlyallthe buildingsinthecommunity.50Between2006and2010,theCivilAdministrationdemolished841 structuresbelongingtoPalestiniansinAreaC.In294ofthesecases,thedemolitionwascarriedout bythebuildingownersthemselves,afterreceivingdemolitionorders.51Thesefiguresinclude

47

Bimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.63. Administrativepetition320640313BTselemv.CivilAdministrationetal.[Hebrew] Responsedated26January2011from2ndLt.AmosWagneroftheCivilAdministration,toaresponseunder

48

49

theFreedomofInformationActsubmittedbyNoamRazofBTselem(hereinafter:CivilAdministration responsetoBTselem,2011)
50

E.g.,thevillageofSusiyaintheSouthHebronHills.Seebelow,p.? Responsedated22March2011from1stLt.LaurenTalaloftheCivilAdministration,toarequestsubmitted

51

undertheFreedomofInformationActbyNirShalevofBimkom;HCJ7891/07PeaceNowetal.v.Ministerof Defenseetal.,Supplementaryresponseaffidavitonbehalfofrespondents12dated7March2011,paragraph 15http://peacenow.org.il/eng/sites/default/files/state_response_070311.pdf

17

 demolitionsaccordingtoPlanningandConstructionLawsonly,anddonotincludeother demolitions,forexampleofstructuresinfiringzones. AccordingtotheinformationBTselemhas,ofthedemolitionscarriedoutbetween2006and2010, thetotalnumberofhomes(includingtents)destroyedbytheCivilAdministrationwas253.Sincethe beginningof2011throughtheendofFebruary2013,theCivilAdministrationdemolished291 additionalhomesandanotherunknownnumberofagricultural,commercialandotherstructures. Overallsince2006,accordingtoBTselemsdata,anaverageof75housesayearhavebeen demolished.Testimonyfrompeoplewhosehomeshavebeenrazedrevealsthatinmostcases,Civil Administrationpersonnelgaveresidentsonlyafewminutestosalvagetheirbelongingsbeforethe demolitionbegan.Thedemolitionswerecarriedoutafterconveyanceofademolitionorderthat,in someinstances,wasleftatatentorpostedonthedoorofahomeanddidnotalwaysreachthe homeowner.Since2006,asaresultofthedemolitions,3,285people(458peopleayear,on average)havelosttheirhomes,includingmorethan1,520children(212ayear,onaverage).

Nondevelopment of infrastructure and services in Area C

TheCivilAdministrationsrestrictiveplanningpolicyextendstoservicesandinfrastructure.TheCivil Administrationgrantsbuildingpermitsforschools,clinics,roadsandinfrastructuretoonlythevery fewvillagesforwhichishasapprovedamasterplan.Over48,000PalestinianslivinginAreaCarenot connectedtoanywatersupplynetwork.52Residentsofthesecommunitiesaredependenton rainwater,whichtheycollectincisterns,andonwaterpurchasedfrom,anddeliveredincontainers by,privatecontractors.InthesouthernWestBank,some42communitiesconsumelessthan60 litersofwaterperperson,perday;53herdingcommunitiesinthenorthernJordanValleyconsume onlyabout20litersperperson,perday.54ThisconsumptionissignificantlylowerthantheWorld
52

AreaCCommunityProfiling,OCHAacomprehensivesurveyconductedin2010ofallcommunitiesinArea

C.Nolocationorpublicationinfogiven.
53

OCHA,RestrictingSpace,p.11.

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/special_focus_area_c_demolitions_december_2009.pdf Forexample,thevillageofSusiyaintheSouthHebronHills.Seebelow,p.?
54

MinistryofAgriculture,PalestinianAuthority,andPalestinianWaterAuthority,Developmentofthe

PalestinianValley:AplanforthedevelopmentofwatersourcesintheValleydistricts,finaldraft,May2010 [Arabic],pp.1415.Hereinafter:PalestinianAuthority,DevelopmentofthePalestinianValley.

18

 HealthOrganizationstandard,currently100litersperpersonperday.55Forthesakeofcomparison, averagewaterconsumptioninIsraelisbetween100and230litersperpersonperday.56 Thepriceofwaterpurchasedfromprivatecontractorsis25to40shekelsacubicmeter,depending onthedistancefromthewatersourcetothevillage.Thisisuptoseventimeshigherthanthe highestpriceofwaterforhouseholdconsumptionpaidbyTelAvivresidents(5.5shekelspercubic meterforconsumptionover3.5cubicmetersamonth),andupto11timeshigherthanthe comparablepriceinthesettlementsofSamaria(3.57shekelspercubicmeter).57InthesePalestinian communitiesthatareforcedtobuywaterincontainers,theaveragemonthlyoutlayonwater consumptioninsummertimeis1,250to2,000shekelsamonthoruptohalfofallmonthly expenses.58Bycomparison,theaveragemonthlyexpenditureforwaterconsumptioninafamilyin thesettlementsis150shekels,whichis1.4percentoffamilyexpenditure.59 TheCivilAdministrationalsotakesactiontodisruptthesupplyofwaterandelectricitythatthe residentsobtainfromalternatesources.Between2000and2012,theCivilAdministrationdestroyed 90cisterns,61wellsand17reservoirsbelongingtoPalestiniansinAreaC;60in2012,thecivil Administrationissueddemolitionordersforelectricitysystemsbasedonwindandsolarpower
55

GuyHoward&JamieBartram,DomesticWaterQuantity,ServiceLevelandHealthExecutiveSummary,

WorldHealthOrganization,http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/WSH0302exsum.pdf
56

DataonwaterconsumptioninIsrael,Mekorotwebsite,

http://www.mekorot.co.il/Heb/WaterResourcesManagement/consumeData/Pages/default.aspx
57

IsraelWaterAuthority,ManualofWaterandSewageRates,1.1.2013[Hebrew],

http://www.water.gov.il/Hebrew/Rates/DocLib1/prices1.1.13.pdf
58

MonthlyexpenditureforaPalestinianfamilyintheWestBankin2008was708Jordaniandinars(nearlyNIS

4,000,usingtheexchangeratefortheendof2009).OntheOccasionofWorldPopulationDay11July,PCBS IssuesaStatisticaloverviewonPalestinianPopulation,PalestinianCentralBureauofStatistics,11.7.08

ThemonthlyoutlayperfamilyinanIsraelisettlementin2008wasNIS10,520/month.SeeTable 6.15,Monthlyexpenditureforhouseholdconsumption,byarea,2008.InDanSuan&Vered NeemanHaviv(eds.),JudeaandSamariaStatisticalYearbookfor2009,Ariel:ArielUniversity CenterofSamariaandtheSamaria&JordanValleyRegionalR&DCenter,,2011,p.144,146. [Hebrew] http://www.ariel.aapproximatelyil/images/stories/site/departments/social_anthropology/JudeaAnd SamariaStatistics2009.pdf

60

59

DataconveyedtoBTselembySuhadSaqallahofOCHAbyemaildated25April2013.

19

 erectedbythenonprofitCometMEinvillagesintheSouthHebronHills;61duringsummermonthsin recentyears,theCivilAdministrationhasbegunconfiscatingwatercontainerspurchasedby residentsoftheJordanValleyforwateringtheirherds,allegingthatthecontainersarelocatedin firingzones.62 AccordingtotheCivilAdministration,developingthemedicalservices,accesstomedical treatments,andestablishingofmedicalclinicsandfacilitiesfortheinhabitantsofAreaCisapriority fortheHealthDepartmentoftheCivilAdministration.63Still,inthevillagesnotrecognizedbythe CivilAdministrationmeaningthevastmajorityofvillagesinAreaCitdoesnotpermitbuilding, notevenforclinics,andissuesdemolitionordersforthem,too.Moreover,asofthesummerof 2012,therewere37schoolsinAreaCatriskofdemolition,afterhavingbeenbuiltwithout permits.64 InareportissuedbyCOGAT,detailsareprovidedon236projectsapprovedbytheCivil Administrationbetweenthebeginningof2011andAugust2012inAreaCincludingthepavingof roads,constructionofschoolsandclinics,erectionofinfrastructure,etc.Only19oftheseprojects(8 percent)areforPalestinianvillagesallofwhoselandislocatedwithinAreaC;13arevillagesfor whichtheCivilAdministrationapprovedamasterplan.Theremainingprojectsareintendedtoserve communitiesallormostofwhoselandislocatedinAreasAandB(102),ortoservetheentire populationoftheWestBank(104projectsincluding58forerectingacellularcommunications antenna),orwillservebeneficiarieswhoselocationisnotspecified(11).65 TheCivilAdministrationrarelyinitiatesinvestmentofresourcestofurtherdevelopmentof Palestinianvillages.Inmostcasestheinitiativeandthefundingforprojectsithasapproved,as
61

Seebelow,p.? Seebelow,p.?SeealsoAmnestyInternational,TroubledWaters:PalestiniansDeniedFairAccesstoWater,

62

October2009,pp.4548,http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE15/027/2009/en/e9892ce47fba 469b96b9c1e1084c620c/mde150272009en.pdf
63

COGAT,ProjectsinAreaC,p.34 OCHA,HumanitarianMonitor,August2012,p.10ThatistheEngpage#

64

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2012_09_24_hebrew.pdf/ SeebelowonaschoolatriskofdemolitioninalKhader(p.??)
65

COGAT,ProjectsinAreaC.SeeOCHA,HumanitarianMonitor,December2012,pp.78

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2013_01_28_english.pdf

20

 detailedinthereportjustmentioned,camefromtheinternationalcommunityorthePA.Thus,of32 roadpavingprojectsdetailedbytheCivilAdministrationashavingbeenapprovedandcarriedoutin AreaCduring2011and2012,orthataretheinprocessofbeingcarriedout,onlytwowerepaidfor bytheCivilAdministration.TheotherswerefundedbyUSAIDand/orthePA;66theCivil Administrationdidnotfundevenasingleoneofthe17projectstorenovateschoolbuildingsorthe sixprojectstorenovateorconstructclinicsthatwereapprovedduringthatperiod.These,too,were fundedbyinternationalorganizationslikeUSAID,UNRWA,theQuartet,etc.67 InordertoproceedwithinitiativesforAreaC,internationalorganizationsandthePAmustsubmitto along,exhaustiveseriesofbureaucraticprocedureswiththeCivilAdministration.Accordingtothe WorldBank,theobstaclesanddelaysinvolvedinobtainingapprovalfromtheCivilAdministration forsuchprojectsleadthedonorsandorganizationstogiveupontheirimplementation.Thus,donor resourcesnotwithstanding,thelevelofdevelopmentintheareaisverylowandtheexpendituresfor publicinvestmentareminimal.68 NearlyallwaterrelatedprojectsintendedtoservealltheresidentsoftheWestBankarelocatedin AreaC,andrequireapprovalfromtheCivilAdministration.Theseincludedrillingwells,hauling waterandrecyclingeffluents.Internationalaidorganizationsthatattempttoadvancesuchprojects inAreaChavetoldpeopleattheWorldBankthattheCivilAdministrationisthebiggestobstacleto theirwork.69AnumberoftheirprojectsthatobtainedapprovalfromthePalestinianWater CommitteeandtheJointIsraeliPalestinianWaterCommitteewereultimatelyrejectedafter numerousdelaysbytheCivilAdministration.70Sixteenprojectsforwaterinfrastructure,approved

66

ThreeadditionalroadprojectsfundedbytheCivilAdministrationawaitimplementation,accordingto

COGAT,ProjectsinAreaC,pp.1020.
67

COGAT,ProjectsinAreaC,pp.3226regardingschools,andpp.3940regardingclinics. WorldBank,AccesstoLand,p.15;WorldBank,AssessmentofRestrictionsonPalestinianWaterSector

68

Development(hereinafter:WorldBank,TheWaterSector),April2009,p.55 http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWESTBANKGAZA/Resources/WaterRestrictionsReport18Apr2009.pdf [updateAIDA?]FormoreontheinvestmentininfrastructureinAreaCforthebenefitofresidentsofAreasA andB,seebelow,ChapterV.

69

WorldBank,TheWaterSector,p.54 WorldBank,TheWaterSector,p.53.See,forexample,ontheprojectatJiftlikvillage,belowatp.?

70

21

 bytheJointCommitteealreadymorethanayearago,arestillwaitingforapprovalfromtheCivil Administration.71

Planning and construction policy in the settlements

IncontrasttotherestrictiveplanningpolicyfollowedforPalestiniancommunities,theIsraeli settlements,alsoinAreaC,enjoyexpansiveallocationsofland,detailedplanning,connectionsto advancedinfrastructureandablindeyeregardingillegalconstruction. ThemilitaryorderthattooktheplanningprocessawayfromthePalestiniansaftertheoccupationof theWestBankalsoauthorizedtheactivityofplanningcommitteesinthesettlements;theirresidents unlikethePalestiniansenjoyfullrepresentationinplanningprocesses.Forthebenefitofthe settlement,theCivilAdministrationchangedthelanddesignationintheMandateeraplans:nearly alltheWestBanksettlementswereerectedontractsdesignatedasagriculturalareasinthe Mandatoryplans;nonetheless,theCivilAdministrationplanningauthoritiesapprovedovertheyears hundredsofnewmasterplansthatchangedthezoningandmadepossibletheestablishmentofthe settlements.Invirtuallyallcases,theconstructioninthesettlementswasapprovedretroactively,or bymilitaryorder.72TheCivilAdministrationapprovedtheestablishmentofsmallsettlements numberingafewdozenorafewhundredsettlersattheirfounding,someofthemonlyafew kilometersfromexistingsettlements.Indozensofcases,theCivilAdministrationapproved constructionofIsraelisettlementsatarcheologicalsitesandnaturepreserves.73AccordingtoCivil

71

TheinformationwasgiventoBTselembyEmergencyWaterSanitationandHygieneGroup(EWASH),who

receiveditfromthePalestinianWaterAuthorityon16April2013.
72

Fordetailedinformation,seeBTselem,DispossessionandExploitation:IsraelsPolicyintheJordanValley

andNorthernDeadSea,May2011,p.30, http://www.Btselem.org/download/201105_dispossession_and_exploitation.eng.pdf.
73

Forexample,thesettlementatTelHebron(TelRumeida),whereIsraelissettledatadeclaredarcheological

site;orPlanNo.220/12forthesettlementofGivatZeev,intheframeworkofwhichhousingwasbuiltand roadswerepavedinanareadesignatedasarcheological.SeealsoPeaceNow,ConstructionofSettlements andOutpostsonNatureReservesinWestBank,February2007: http://peacenow.org.il/eng/content/constructionsettlementsandoutpostsnaturereserveswestbank

22

 Administrationdata,atabout75percentofthesettlements,buildingwascarriedoutwithoutthe appropriatepermits.74 Whilefromthebeginningoftheyear2000throughSeptember2007,only91buildingpermitswere issuedtoPalestinians,75inthesettlementsduringthatsameperiod,withorwithoutapermit,at least17,000residentialunitswerebuilt.76Incontrasttothepartialandrestrictiveplanningfor PalestiniancommunitiesinAreaC,forthesettlementsinthatsamearea,detailedmodernplans weredraftedthatfeaturedpublicspaces,greenspaces,andinmanyinstanceslowhousingdensity.77 UnliketheplansdesignatingandlimitingthebuiltupareasofthosefewPalestinianvillagesfor whichplansweredraftedatall,thejurisdictionalboundariesoftheIsraelisettlementsencompass hugetractsofland,includingagriculturallandonwhichthecommunitycanbedevelopedinthe futureinaccordancewiththeapprovalofmasterplans. IncontrasttotherigidenforcementofbuildinglawsvisvisthePalestinians,thetreatmentof Israeliswhobuiltwithoutbenefitofpermitsinsettlementswasquiteforgiving:pertheCivil Administrationsdata,thePalestinianpopulationofAreaCwasissued,between2000and2009, nearlythreetimesthenumberofdemolitionordersascomparedwiththesettlerpopulation (proportionaltotheirrespectivepopulations),andtherateofdemolitionsofPalestinianowned buildingswas3.4timeshigherduringthoseyearsthanthedemolitionrateofbuildingsbuiltwithout permitsinthesettlements.78

74

AsperthedatabaseofBrig.Gen.(res.)BaruchSpiegel,basedmainlyondatafromtheCivilAdministration. Bimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.10. ThedatawastakenfromthePeaceNowwebsite,

75

76

http://peacenow.org.il/eng/sites/default/files/ConstructionAndTenders_forPublication.xlsItshouldbenoted thatinthevastmajorityofcasesthebodyissuingconstructionpermitsforsettlementsarethelocal committeesofthesettlementsthemselves,andnottheCivilAdministration.

77

FortheruralsettlementofCarmel,forinstance,buildingdensityis1.8unitsperdunam.Inthesettlementof

Efrat,itis3.96unitsperdunam.SeeBimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.107.
78

ThisisbasedontheresponsebytheCivilAdministrationtoBTseleminJanuary2011,andapopulation

estimatedat150,000Palestinians(Bimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.7),and290,000settlersinAreaCin2008: PeaceNowwebsite,TheSettlementsintheWestBankFactsandFigures http://peacenow.org.il/eng/node/297

23

 InadditiontothesettlementsbuiltwithapprovalbytheStateofIsraelandtheCivilAdministration, inAreaCthereoverahundredoutpostswereestablishedwithoutmasterplansandwithoutstate approval.Yet,theestablishmentofmostofthemwascarriedoutincoordinationwithvarious governmentandsecurityagenciesincludingtheCivilAdministrationandwiththeirsupport.The authoritiesturnedablindeyetotheillegalityofthesettlementoutposts,hookedthemupto advancedinfrastructuresanddidnotdemolishmostofthem.TheCivilAdministrationeven.79

79

Sasson,OpiniononOutposts,[Hebrew].

24

Chapter II: South Hebron Hills The threat of demolition and expulsion
IndozensofvillagesintheSouthHebronHills,Palestiniansarelivingwithoutrunningwateror electricity,withoutanylegalwaytobuildandtodeveloptheircommunities,andatimminentrisk thatthebuildingstheydidbuild,necessarilywithoutpermits,willbedemolished.Aboutathousand peopleinthisarea,halfofthemchildren,liveundertheveryrealthreatofexpulsionfromtheir homesandthedestructionoftheirvillages,onthepretextthattheyarelivinginamilitaryfiring zone.

Background Masafer Yata area

ThesouthernpartofMt.HebronliesinthesouthernWestBankontheedgeofthedesert,nearthe GreenLine.ThelargestcommunityintheareaisthetownofYatta.Spreadingouttothesouthand eastofthetownisacollectionofsmallsatellitecommunities,withmorethan4,000residentsinthe aggregate.Thearea,knownasMasaferYatta(GreaterYatta"),isdottedwithnumerousnatural caves.AstudypublishedbyIsraelsMinistryofDefenserecountsahistoricalprocessinwhich, beginninginthefirstthirdofthe19thcenturyandcontinuingthroughtheendofthe1940s,residents ofYattawereleavingthetowntoliveincavesinthesurroundingcountryside.80Somefamilies, havinguprootedthemselvesfromYattaduetothehighcostofbuildingahousethere,turnedthese cavesintopermanentresidencesandbeganworkingthesurroundingland;othercavesservedas seasonalsheltersforherdersduringpasturing,aperiodofaboutsevenmonthsannually,81andover theyearssomecavesbecamepermanenthomesforthefamiliesoftheseshepherds.82Today, residentsofthisarealivemostlyintentsandothertemporarystructures,andearnatenuousliving throughdryfarmingandherding.BasedonafieldstudyconductedbyBTselemandACRIinthefall of2012,in12oftheMasaferYattavillages,whichwereincludedinthefirezonedeclaredthere,
80

YaakovHabakkuk,LifeintheHebronMountainCaves,(MinistryofDefense,1985),(hereinafter:Habakkuk,

LifeintheHebronMountainCaves),p.26[Hebrew].
81

Habakkuk,LifeintheHebronMountainCaves,pp.31,35,55,56[Hebrew]. Prof.GideonM.Kressel,directoroftheSocialStudiesdivisionattheJ.BlausteinInstituteforDesert

82

Research,BenGurionUniversityoftheNegev,opinionattachedtothepetitionbyACRIofJanuary2000(see below).

25

 mostofthepeoplelivingtherearepermanentresidents.Themajorshareofwhattheyproduceis intendedfortheirownconsumption,andanyexcessissoldinYattaandsurroundingvillages.83 TheCivilAdministrationdoesnotrecognizetheMasaferYattavillagesandrefusestopreparemaster plansforthem.ThisisdespitethefactthatforthevillageofaTuwani,with350residents,aplanwas infactpreparedin2008.84InFebruary2009,Bimkomsubmittedanobjectiontotheplanonbehalf ofthevillageresidents,allegingthatitdidnotmeettheneedsoftheresidents.85TheCivil Administrationacceptedtheobjectionin2012anddecidedtopreparearevisedplanforthevillage. Intheframeworkofthisdecision,theCivilAdministrationdiscussedtheplanforthisvillage,and submittedittoIPCC.86 Withoutamasterplan,theCivilAdministrationrefusestograntpermitstobuildresidentialhomes, publicbuildings,agriculturalstructuresorinfrastructureintheareasvillages.Havingnoother option,residentsmustbuildwithoutpermitsandlivewiththeeverpresentthreatthattheirhouses willbedemolished. Inaddition,thevillagesinthevicinityarenotconnectedtoelectricityorwatersupplies.Theonly villageintheareawithregularwaterandelectricityisaTuwani,whichwasconnectedinAugust 2010followingapubliccampaign.87Residentsoftheothervillagesmustrelyoncollectingrainwater incisterns,whichrundryinthesummertime.AccordingtoOCHA,between2009and2012,theCivil Administrationdestroyedninecisternsinthisarea,allegingthattheyhadbeenconstructedwithout apermit.88TheresidentsareobligedtobuywaterinYattaandhaulitincontainersaheavy
83

FormoreonlifeinMasaferYatta,seeExpertOpinionShuliHartman,SocialAnthropologist:TheLifestyle

ofFellahinandShepherdCommunitiesinFiringZone918;opinionappendedtothepetitionsubmittedby ACRItoIsraelsHighCourtinJanuary2013(seebelow), http://www.acri.org.il/en/wpcontent/uploads/2013/02/918anthropologicalreporteng.pdf

84

SpecialMasterPlan1764/1/05,anoticeconcerningthedepositoftheplanwaspublishedon28December

2008.
85

Bimkom,ObjectionstotheSpecialMasterPlan1764/1/05,ATuwani,dated23February2009,

http://bimkom.org/wpcontent/uploads/ATawani.pdf[Hebrew]
86

Seeabove,p.? SeeOneActionaDay,TheSuccessofUsAllthereswaterandelectricityataTuwani!,

87

http://actionaday.co.il/category/water/
88

ConveyedbySuhadSaqallahofOCHAbyemail,25April2013.

26

 financialburden:inthisvicinity,thepricetopurchaseandhaulwaterisaboutfortyshekelspercubic meter. Residentsof21ofthevillagesinthearea,some1,400people,currentlyenjoyalimitedelectricity supply,afterthenonprofitorganizationCometMEinrecentyearsinstalledlocalelectricpower systemsbasedonwindandsolarenergy.89In2012,theCivilAdministrationissueddemolitionorders forthesesystemsinnineofthevillages;followingalegal,diplomaticandpubliccampaignledby CometME,theCivilAdministrationagreednottocarryouttheorders.90 TheresidentsofhevillagesoftheSouthHebronHillshavenoeasyaccesstomedicaland educationalservices.ThemainelementaryschoolinthevicinityisinaTuwani.Other,smaller schoolsarelocatedatKhirbetSusiya,KhirbetaDuqaiqah,KhirbetalFakhitandKhirbetJenbah. Demolitionorderswereissuedforalloftheminrecentyears.Childrenfromothervillagestravelon foottotheseschoolsrequiringajourneyofhalfanhourforthoselivingnearby,uptotwohours eachwayforthoselivinginmoreremotelocations.Boysandgirlswhogoontoattendmiddleschool andhighschoolgotoYatta,wheretheyliveduringtheweekwitharelativeandreturntotheir villagesforweekends,holidays,andsummervacations.Thereisonlyonepermanentclinic,ata Tuwani,whichisabouttwentykilometersfromsomeoftheareasothervillages.InKhirbetalFakhit andKhirbetJenbah,aclinicoperatesonlytwodaysaweek,inbuildingsforwhichdemolitionsorders exist.Theclinicisaccessibleonlybyafourwheeldrivevehicle,onfootorbydonkey. ThelackofdevelopmentintheareamakesvillageresidentsheavilydependingonYattaasanurban hub,withhospitalsandothermedicalservices,schools,andcommercialcenters.Althoughmostof thevillagesarenotmorethantwentykilometersfromYatta,gettingtothetowninvolvesnumerous hardshipsbecauseaccessroadsfromthevillagesareunpaved;theyarehilly,windingandbumpy andvillagersusingthemtoreachthemainroadmustgoonfoot,rideananimal,oruseatractoror offroadvehicle. Additionalhardshipsareimposedbymilitaryrestrictionsthatcanincludechecks onvehicles,confiscationofvehicles,andbarringentrytothearea(knownasFiringZone918) declaredasamilitaryfiringzone.
89

Ontheimpactofelectricityonthelivesofthevillageresidents,seeCometME,Likewaterforthethirsty:

RenewableEnergySystemsinthePalestinianCommunitiesintheSouthHebronHills,http://comet me.us4.listmanage1.com/track/click?u=24abf322ce8a78c2340619a35&id=ad9dd179c0&e=abad3e3700 (read)orhttp://cometme.us4.list manage.com/track/click?u=24abf322ce8a78c2340619a35&id=81c29ba92c&e=abad3e3700(downloadPDF);

90

CometME,2012AnnualReport,

27

 ThecaseofKhirbetaDuqaiqah,hometoover300residents,illustratestheconductoftheCivil Administrationtowardthevillagesofthisarea.Althoughthevillagehasexistedfordecadesnearthe GreenLine91,theCivilAdministrationrefusedresidentsrequeststoplanitandissueddemolition ordersagainstitsbuildings. Afterdemolitionsorderswereservedonvillagestructuresin2005,includingtheschoolandthe mosque,RabbisforHumanRightssubmittedaHighCourtpetitiononbehalfofthevillagers.The petitionsoughttorequiretheCivilAdministrationtorevokethedozensofdemolitionorders hithertoissuedforvillagebuildingsandtoprepareamasterplanforthevillage.92Inresponse,the CivilAdministrationarguedthatthevillagedoesnotmeetthecriteriasetforvillageplanninginArea Candemphasizedthatitisinconceivablethattheauthoritieswillactasifroutinelytopromote masterplansforeveryclusterofillegalbuilding.93TheCivilAdministrationarguedfurtherthatjusta fewkilometersfromKhirbetaDuqaiqah,isthevillageofHameiydah,forwhichtheCivil Administrationwasthinkingofdraftingaplan.ItsresidentsbelongtothesameBedouintribeand usethesameschoolandclinicasdotheresidentsofKhirbetaDuqaiqah.TheCivilAdministration addedthatbuildingtheillegalbuildingsinKhirbetaDuqaiqahcaninnowayjustifyregularizing anotherlandareainthisvicinity.94TheCivilAdministrationalsonotedthattheresidentsofthe villagecouldsubmitadraftplanthemselves,whichtheCivilAdministrationwouldstudyindepth. InJanuary2010,thecourtrejectedthepetition,afterfindingthattherewasnojustificationfor interveningintheconsiderationsoftheCivilAdministration.95Ayearlater,inJanuary2011,before thevillageresidentshadhadtimetoprepareadraftplan,theCivilAdministrationdemolished17 structuresinKhirbetaDuqaiqah,includingtentsinwhichpeoplelivedandaclassroom.The residentsattorneyscontactedtheCivilAdministrationtoinquireastoitspositioninprinciple
91

Inaerialphotographsbeginningattheendofthe1970s,thevillageisclearlyseen.SeeBimkom,Expert

professionalplanningopinion,TheBedouinVillageofDuqaiqah,November2011,p.8, http://bimkom.org/wpcontent/uploads/Dkaika_expertopinion11_2011final.pdf ExpertopinionappendedtoHighCourtpetitionSpecialMasterPlan1764/1/05/11,seeabove,

92

HCJ7151/05AlNajadaetal.v.CommanderofIDFForcesintheWestBanketal.,Petitiondated25July

2005[Hebrew].
93

HCJ7151/05,Respondentsresponsedated13May2009,paragraph30[Hebrew]. HCJ7151/05,Respondentsresponse,paragraphs3536[Hebrew]. HCJ7151/05,Verdictdated12January2010.

94

95

28

 regardingplanningforthevillage.InSeptember2011,theCivilAdministrationrepliedthatthe prospectsforapprovaloftheproposedplanarenotverygood,becausethevillagewillhave troublemaintainingitselfasasocialandgeographicentity,andthatthesizeofitspopulation cannotjustifythecostsofbuildingtheinfrastructureandservicesthatareinvolvedinestablishingan independentcommunity.96InDecember2011,theCivilAdministrationissueddemolitionordersfor 46morestructuresinthevillage.Togetherwithotherdemolitionordersissuedinprioryears,the numberofbuildingsthreatenedwasnow77amajorityofthevillagesbuildings.Theresidents againwenttotheHighCourtseekingtofreezetheimplementationofthedemolitionorders,solong asthepreparationofthemasterplanforthevillagehadnotbeencompletedanddeliberationsheld aboutitbytheCivilAdministrationsplanninginstitutions.97Followingsubmissionofthepetition, thepartiesreachedanagreementwherebytheCivilAdministrationwoulddiscussthemasterplanto besubmittedtoitbythepetitioners,andwouldinvitethemtopresenttheplantoitsplanning agencies.Untilconclusionofthediscussionconcerningtheplan,theCivilAdministrationwouldnot demolishhousesinthevillage,andthepetitionersundertooknottobuildanynewbuildings.The agreementbetweenthepartiesreceivedtheforceofalegalrulinginApril2012.98 InMarch2013,theCivilAdministrationrejectedthemasterplansubmittedbyresidentsofthe village.Neitherrepresentativesofthevillageresidentsnortheirattorneyshadbeeninvitedto presenttheplantotheplanningauthoritiesoftheCivilAdministration,asperthelatters commitmenttothevillage.Whenchallengedbytheattorneysforthevillagers,theCivil Administrationvoidedthedecisionandissupposedtoinvitevillagerepresentativesbeforeanew decisionismade.99Tillthen,thevillagewasobligedtofreezeallconstruction:residentsmaynot buildnewhomesorpublicinstitutions,maynotconnecttowaterorelectricitysupplies,and continuetoliveinuncertaintyabouttheirfuture.

96

LettertoAttorneyJiyatNassar ofRabbisforHumanRights,from1stLt.EliranBenEliezerintheofficeofthe

LegalAdvisorfortheWestBank,dated14September2011.
97

HCJ8506/11,DuqaiqahVillageCounciletal.v.CommanderofIDFForcesintheWestBanketal.,petition

dated21December2011.
98

HCJ8506/11,Verdictdated17April2012. ConveyedtoBTselembyAttorneyQuamarMishirqiAssadofRabbisforHumanRights,representingthe

99

residentsofDuqaiqah,byemailon11April2013.

29

 IntheSouthHebronHillsinthe1980s,theIsraelisettlementsofCarmel,Maon,Susiyaand MetzadotYehuda(BeitYatir)wereestablished.Later,thesettlersestablishedoutpostsatSusiya Northwest,Avigayil,MitzpeYair(MagenDavid),NofNesher(HavatLucifer),andHavatMaon.100 In2011,therewereabout2,400settlersinthesesettlements.101Alltheoutpostsestablishedinthe areawerebuiltwithoutbuildingplansandwithoutlandhavingbeenallocatedforthembythe authorities.102Nonetheless,thebuildingserectedinthemhavenotbeendemolished,pavedroads connectthemtothemainroadandtheyareallconnectedtowaterandelectricitygrids.

Firing zone 918 and the expulsion of its residents

Atthebeginningofthe1980s,theIsraelimilitarydesignatedanareaofsome3,300hectaresasa closedmilitaryzone,laterknownasFiringZone918.103Overthenextfewyears,574.3hectaresof thefiringzoneweredeclaredstatelandandallottedtotheSettlementDivision,whichdealwiththe establishmentofsettlements.104Thefiringzoneencompassed12Palestinianvillageswhere,atthat time,between100and120familieswereliving,105andsome1,200hectaresofprivatePalestinian

100

TheoriginalHavatMaonwaslocatedinthefiringzone,wasevacuatedinNovember1999bytheIsraeli

militaryandreestablishedin2001neartheMaonsettlement.
101

ThisreliesontheListofSettlementsandOutpostscompiledbyPeaceNow(hereinafter,PeaceNowListof

SettlementsandOutposts): http://peacenow.org.il/sites/default/files/settlements%20database%20for%20publication.xls
102

SeeSasson,OpiniononOutposts.TheopinionstatesthatregardingtheSusiyaNorthoutpost,an

applicationforapprovalwassubmitted,anddenied(p.100);theMitzpeYairandAvigayiloutpostswerebuilt partlyonprivatePalestinianland(pp.101and103,respectively)[Hebrew].
103

AreaclosureorderNo.S/40/63dated8June1980andAreaclosureorderNo.S/5/60dated12November

1982.On30June1991,AreaclosureorderS/2/91wasissuedforallofFiringZone918.
104

InformationfromDrorAtkes(???)inanemailfrom2May2013,basedoninformationlevelshereceived fromtheCivilAdministration.AscommunicatedbyDrorEtkesbyemaildated3May2013,basedondata layersreceivedfromtheCivilAdministration

105

Habakkuk,LifeintheHebronMountainCaves,p.65.

30

 land.106Until1993,thisdeclarationhadalmostnoeffectontheresidentsofthesevillages,who continuedtolivewheretheywere,toworktheirlandandtoherdtheirlivestock.Meanwhile, however,asofthisyeartherehavebeenexpulsionordersissuedto17families,althoughonlythree havebeenenforced.Between1994and1998,38suchorderswereissued,ofwhichninehavebeen enforced.107 In1999,themilitaryreaffirmedthedesignationofthefiringzone.108DuringOctoberandNovember ofthatyear,theCivilAdministrationpresentedmostresidentsofthevillageswithexpulsionorders, inthewakeofwhichabout300residentslefttheirhomes.On16November2011,securityforces forciblyexpelledabout430oftheresidentswhohadremainedintheirhomesandalsosealedcaves, destroyedhousesandcisternsandconfiscatedpropertyincludingtents,blanketsandfood.109 BackinJanuaryandFebruary2000,86oftheexpelledresidentspetitionedtheHighCourt,through ACRIandAttorneyShlomoLecker.Theysoughttobeallowedtoremainintheirhomes,andto recoverortoreceivecompensationfortheirconfiscatedanddestroyedproperty.110Thestates responsetothepetitionwasthatalthoughpermanentresidentsareallowedtoliveinthearea designatedafiringzone,thepetitionersarenotpermanentresidents,sincetheyarepresentthere onlyseasonally,forthepurposeoffarmingandherding,andhencetheexpulsionwaslawful.111 InMarch2000,theHighCourtissuedaninterimorderstatingthatuntilfinaldispositionofthe petition,thestatusquowastobepreserved,keepingtheareaasithadbeenpriortotheexpulsion
106

BasedonmappingbytheCivilAdministrationthatwasconveyedtoDrorEtkes.AnaffidavitbyEtkesonthis

subjectwasattachedtotheJanuary2000petitionbyACRI;seebelow.
107

BasedonCivilAdministrationdata.SeethetableinBTselem,MeansofExpulsion:Violence,Lawlessness

andHarassmentTowardPalestiniansintheSouthernHebronHills,July2005,p.12, http://www.Btselem.org/publications/summaries/200507_south_hebron.
108

AreaclosureorderNo.S/6/99,1999. Formoreontheexpulsion,seeBTselem,ExpulsionofResidentsfromtheSouthMt.HebronArea,

109

OctoberNovember1999,February2000,https://www.Btselem.org/press_releases/20000229.
110

HCJ517/00MahmudHusseinHamamdehetal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,petitiondated19January

2000;HCJ1199/00Ahmad'IssaAbu'Arametal.v.CommanderofIDFForcesinJudeaandSamaria,petition dated15February2000. ShuliIsawthecasesomewherequotedusingMahmudthoweuse Mahmoudyourcall.

111

HCJ517/00Respondentsresponse,paragraph16.

31

 orders.Thisorderallowedthepetitionerstoreturntotheirhomesandtograzetheirherdsinthe closedzone.112Intheirdecision,thejudgesorderedthepartiestonameanagreedonfigureto arbitratethequestionofpermanentdwellingsinthezoneandtherightsoftheresidentsthere,with thearbitratorsrecommendationstobecomethebasisforfurtherhandlingofthepetitions.113 Despiteselectionoftwoagreedonexperts,thereviewwasneverconducted;theStateexplained thatthiswasduetobudgetaryfactorsandtheoutbreakofthesecondIntifada.114Instead,thestate itselfcheckedtheresidencesof82ofthepetitionersandinJune2002,notifiedthecourtthatthey werenotpermanentresidentsoftheclosedarea,onlyseasonalresidentswhosepermanent residencewasinYatta.115Onthatbasis,thestateannouncedthatitspositionwouldstillbethatthey wouldhavetoevacuatetheirhomes.Notwithstanding,thestateagreedtotheirpresenceinthearea duringtheplowingandplantingperiod,theharvestperiod,andforpurposesofpasturingon FridaysandSaturdaysandIsraeliholidays.TheStateaddedthatitwouldnotevacuatetheresidents offourvillages:KhirbetaTuba,KhirbetalMufaqarah,KhirbetSiratAwadIbrahimandKhirbet Sarura,whicharelocatedinthenorthwesternsectoroftheclosedarea;thelattertwovillageswere alreadyuninhabitedinanycaseatthattime.116 Inresponse,theresidentsarguedthatthestatespositionisincorrectfromafactualstandpointand soughttohavetheHCJenforceitsdecisionregardinganexaminationofthefactsthatwouldbe comprehensive,professionalandacceptabletobothparties.117Thecourtacceptedthispositionand inDecember2002thepartiesenteredintomediation.InMay2005,thearbiterBrig.Gen.(Res.) DovTsadkanotifiedthecourtthatthearbitrationhadendedwithoutresultsandthecourtthen
112

Whentheresidentssoughttoreturntotheirhomes,itturnedoutthattheCivilAdministrationsviewwas

thattheinterimorderappliedtoonlythe86petitionersandthereforetheCivilAdministrationprohibitedthe returnofotherresidents.InJuly2001,112residentsjoinedACRIspetition,bringingnearlyallthefamilieswho livedinthefiringzoneundertheprotectionoftheinterimorder.

113

HCJ517/00,Decisiondated29March2000,paragraph1. AscommunicatedbyAttorneyMalchielBlasoftheStateAttorneysOfficetotheHCJon13January2002,

114

paragraph2.
115

HCJ517/00,1199/00,SupplementarynoticebytheStateAttorneysOfficedated11June2002. HCJ517/00,1199/00,SupplementarynoticebytheStateAttorneysOffice,11June2002,paragraph1. HCJ517/00,1199/00,PetitionersresponsetosupplementarynoticebyStateAttorneysOffice,11June

116

117

2002.

32

 orderedthestatetosubmitanupdatedposition.Sincethen,thestatehassubmitted27requeststo postponeitssubmissionofitsposition.Overtheyears,thepetitionshaveremainedpendingandthe interimorderremainsinforce. Duringallthattime,theCivilAdministrationtriedtopreventthedevelopmentofthecommunitiesin theclosedzone.InJanuary2005,forexample,theCivilAdministrationissueddemolitionordersfor 15cisternsand19toiletsbuiltinthreevillagesbytheBritishgovernmentsDepartmentfor InternationalDevelopment.FollowingthesubmissionofaHighCourtpetitionbyRabbisforHuman Rights,thecourtruledthatthedemolitionorderswouldbestayed,onconditionthattheresidents undertakethattheexistingsituationonthegroundwillbefrozen,newtoiletswouldnotbebuilt, andthestructureswouldnotbepopulated.118TheCivilAdministrationcontinuedtoissuedemolition ordersforstructuresbuiltinthesevillagesovertheyears.InMarch2013,inthevillageslocatedin thefiringzone,thereweredemolitionorderspendingforatleast80residentialstructuresand animalshedsandatleast30cisterns,builtduringthe13yearssincetheresidentsreturnedtotheir villages.119Theseordershavenotbeencarriedout,andinAugust2012AttorneyShlomoLecker submittedaHighCourtpetitionagainsttheCivilAdministration,seekingtohavethemcancelled.The petitionisstillpending.120 InJuly2012,morethan12yearsafterthesubmissionofthepetitionsagainstexpulsionofthe residents,thestatepresentedtothecourttheupdatedpositionoftheMinistryofDefense,which wasidenticaltothepositionofthestatesubmittedtotheHighCourtadecadeearlier.Accordingto thisposition,permanentresidencewillnotbeallowedinmostofthearea,duetotheIDFslivefire trainingrequirements.InamapsubmittedbythestatetotheHighCourt,thelivefiringzone includeseightvillagesslatedfordemolition:KhirbetalMajaz,KhirbetaTaban,KhirbetaSafai, KhirbetalFakhit,KhirbetalHalawah,KhirbetalMarkaz,KhirbetJenbah,andKhirbetKhiletaDabe. Inthislatestversionofthestatesposition,theresidentsofthesevillageswillbeabletoworktheir landandgrazetheirherdsinthefiringzoneonlyonweekendsandIsraeliholidays,andduringtwo periodsofamontheach,annually.121TheStatereiterateditspositionthattheresidentsoffour
118

HCJ805/05,Awadetal.v.CommanderofIDFForcesintheWestBanketal.,Rulingdated17February

2005.
119

CommunicatedbyYehezkielLienofOCHAbyemail,4March2013. HCJ5901/12MuhammadHalilDababsehv.HeadoftheCivilAdministrationinJudeaandSamaria,

120

petitiondated5August2012.
121

HCJ517/00,1199/00,UpdatenoticebyRespondentsdated19July2012,paragraph3.

33

 villagesinthenorthwesternsectionofthefiringzonetwoofwhichhavenotbeeninhabitedfor yearscouldremainintheirhomes.122XXXofthelandinthissectionofthefiringzonehad,inthe past,beendeclaredstatelandandallocatedtotheSettlementDivision.123Thiswouldmeanthe expulsionofmorethanathousandpeoplefromtheirhomesnearlyhalfofthemchildrenleaving entirefamilieswithoutaroofovertheirheads,alongwiththedestructionofeightvillages.124 Initsnotificationtothecourt,thestatereiterateditsargumentpursuanttowhichthefiringzone wasnotapermanentresidencepriortosubmissionofthepetition,andthatasmallnumberof residentsfromYattastayedthereseasonally.125Toprovethisargument,thestateattachedan aerialphotographofthelandontheeveofthesubmissionoftheoriginalpetition.Accordingtothe state,sincethesubmissionofthepetitionandtheissuanceoftheinterimorder,inthefiringzone,a widespreadphenomenonofillegalbuildingcommenced,alongsideabroadphenomenonofpeople enteringandremainingwithintheareainnumberssignificantlyexceedingthenumberofthe petitioners.126TheStateaddedthattheareaiscrucialtotheIDFstrainingneeds,duetoitsunique topographicalstructure,andthatalternativesolutionsinotherfiringzonesdonotfullymeetthese needs.127 Inthewakeofthisnotification,theHighCourtvacatedthepetitionsinAugust2012,after determiningthatthestatesnotificationindicatedachangeofthenormativesituation.Thecourt extendedforseveralmonthstheinterimordersallowingresidentstocontinuelivingintheirhomes

122

Inthepermittedarea,asperthemapsubmittedbytheStatetotheHCJ,thereisanothervillage,

MaghayiralAbid.Thisvillagewasnotincludedinthelistofvillagestothecontinuedpresenceofwhichatthat locationIsraelagreed,hence,untilotherwiseassured,its35residentsarealsounderthreatofexpulsion.
123

Seeabove,p.? ThedataonthenumberofresidentsisbasedonafieldstudyconductedbyBTselemandACRIinthefallof

124

2012.
125

HCJ517/00,1199/00,Updatednoticebyrespondentsdated19July2012,paragraph5. HCJ517/00,1199/00,Updatednotice,19July2012,paragraph6. Updatednotice,paragraphs1011.

126

127

34

 andworkingtheirland,toenablethepetitionerstoexaminethestatesdecisionanddecidewhether tosubmitanewpetitiontocounterit.128 On16January2013,ACRIsubmittedanewHighCourtpetitiononbehalfof108oftheresidentsof thevillagesslatedforevacuation.Inthepetition,theresidentssoughttohavethecourtprevent theirforcibleremovalfromtheirhomes,regularizetheirdwellingsintheareadeclaredafiringzone, andvoidthedeclarationitself.129Thatsameday,thecourtissuedaninterimorderforbiddingtheIDF fromforciblytransferringthepetitionersandtheirfamiliesfromtheirhomes.TheStatewasrequired tosubmititsresponsetothepetitionwithinsixtydays.130InFebruary,apetitionwassubmittedin thenameof143additionalresidentsthreatenedwithexpulsion,byAttorneyShlomoLecker.131The discussionofthetwopetitionswasamalgamated.InlateMarch2013,thestatesubmitteda preliminaryresponseinwhichitstateditrequiresaninetydayextensiontopresentitspositionand respondtothepetitionsessentialarguments.132 Initsdecisiontoexpeltheresidentsofthefiringzonearea,thestateignoredthefactthattheorder issuedtoclosetheareastatedthatitwouldnotapplytoapersonlivingintheclosedarea,butdid notspecifywhetherthatsamepersonlivestherepermanentlyorseasonally.133Moreover,its decisionisdetachedfromtherealityoftheresidentslives:AfieldstudyconductedbyBTselemand ACRIamongallthecommunitiesinthefiringzoneinthefallof2012showedthatonly18percentof alltheresidentsofthearealivethereseasonally,andevensotheyarethereforperiodsofseveral months,asmuchassixmonthsatatime.

128

HCJ517/00,1199/00,Verdictdated7August2012,

http://elyon2.court.gov.il/files/00/170/005/M71/00005170.M71.htm[Hebrew].
129

HCJ413/13AbuArametal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,petitiondated16January2013,

http://www.acri.org.il/he/wpcontent/uploads/2013/01/hit413.pdf
130

HCJ413/13,Interimorderdated16January2013,

http://elyon2.court.gov.il/files/13/130/004/H01/13004130.H01.pdf
131

HCJ1039/13Yunesetal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,petitiondated7February2013. HCJ413/13,Respondentspreliminaryresponsedated24March2013. AreaclosureorderNo.S/99/6,paragraph4,5May1999,seeAppendix5toBTselem,Expulsionof

132

133

PalestinianResidentsfromtheAreaofSouthMt.Hebron,OctoberNovember1999.

35

 ThestatearguedthatthefactthattheregisteredaddressintheresidentsIDcardsisYatta,andthat mostoftheresidentshavehomesthere,provesthattheyareinthefiringzoneonlytemporarily. Thisisaweakargument:True,dozensoffamiliesamongtheresidentsofthefiringzonehavehomes inYatta,butthisfactdoesnotprovethattheydontliveinthevillagesandinthesamemannertheir propertyinthevillagescouldbeproofoftheirresidencethere.Inpractice,residentsareobligedto registerYattaastheirofficialaddress,becausethevillageswheretheylivearenotrecognizedbythe authoritiesanddonotappearintheregisterofcommunities. Furthermore,theaerialphotographpresentedbythestatetoprove,ostensibly,thesparsenessof thevillagerspresenceinthefiringzonedoesnotconstitutesuitableevidence.Thephotographwas takenin2000,aftertheexpulsionoftheresidents,andhenceitreflectsthedestructionwroughtin theareabytheCivilAdministrationandnottherealextentofthecommunitylivingthere,which maybediscernedfromearlieraerialphotographstakenoverthecourseofdecades.134 ThestateemphasizedthattheareainwhichthevillagesarelocatediscrucialforIDFexercises. However,sincethezonewasclosedatthestartofthe1980s,almostnotraininghasbeenconducted there,notevenaftertheresidentswereexpelled.135Inaddition,despitethezonestheoretical importance,thestatedraggedoutthelegalprocessformanyyears,duringwhichtheIDFwas obligedtorefrainfromconductingsignificantexercisesinthearea.Moreover,thesecurity establishmentovertheyearsgotusedtotheexistenceoftheHavatMaonoutpostinthefiringzone area.136
Testimony of Meyasar Dababseh, 65 years old, married and a mother of six, a resident of Khirbet aSafai137

Duringthelastnineyears,Ihavesufferedfromillnesseslikediabetesandheartdisease.[] SometimesIhavetowalktothevillageofHamaidahsoIcanbecheckedbythedoctorswhocome
134

PhotographslikethesewereappendedtoACRIpetitionofJanuary2013. BTselem,ExpulsionofPalestinianResidentsfromtheAreaofSouthMt.Hebron,OctoberNovember

135

1999,pp.89.
136

Seeabove,note? TestimonyofMeyasarIbrahimAhmadDababsehwasgiventoBTselemresearcherMusaAbuHashhashon

137

11October2012,atthewitnessshome.371645

36

 thereonceaweek,andsoIcantakemedicinesfromthem.Foryearsnow,Ihavebeentakingfive differentmedicines.Ialsoreturnhomeonfootandarriveverytired.[] Ihavetostayinthevillagetotakecareoftheherdandtoprotecttheland,alargetractextending overahundreddunams[tenhectares].Onthislandwegrowwheat,barleyandothergrainsthatare themainsourceoffoodforourselvesandourheardofsheep,whichhasmorethanninetyanimals.I gracethesheep,givethemwatertodrinkandtakecareofthemwithmyhusband,whoisoldandill. ThelandandtheanimalsandtheworkarethelifeIamusedtohereandthemainreasonswhyIam inthisplaceandholdingontoit.[] Ihavebecomeaccustomedtothelifehere,despitethehardshipsitinvolvestheveryhillyroad goingtoandfromthevillageistiringandmostlytraveledonfoot.Bringinghayforthesheepisalso difficultandexpensive.Therainwaterwecollectedlastwinterisabouttorunoutandsoonwewill havetostartbuyingexpensivewatertodrinkandtowateroursheep.Fivecubmetersofwatecost ustwohundredshekels.[] Despitethehardshipsofourprimitivelifehere,theIsraeliarmydoesnotleaveusinpeace.In February2012,aHummerjeepcamandleftusawarningwhereitwaswrittenthattheyaregoingto destroyourhousesandourcisternsandoursheeppens.Inthepast,thearmycameanddestroyed ourtoiletsandleftusforalongtimeinastateoffearandworry.In1999,thearmyexpelledusfrom thevillageandwewenttoliveinalBarakaforafewmonthsuntilwecamebackagain. Iheardfrommyneighbors,menandwomen,thatthereisadecisiontoexpelusagainfromthe village.[]WhenIheardthenews,IwasbesidemyselfandIworriedalot,Ifeltthattheywere abouttouprootmefromthisplaceofmine,whereIhavespentmychildhoodandmyadolescence andmyentirelife.Andalso,whatwillwedowithoursheepandourlandiftheycarryoutthe expulsionorder?Thesheepandthelandarethesourceofourliving,weinheritedthemfromour fathersandourfathersfathers.

Khirbet Susiya an entire village under threat of demolition

ThePalestinianvillageofKhirbetSusiyahasexistedintheSouthHebronHillsatleastsincethe 1830s.Itsresidentshavetraditionallyearnedalivingfromherdingsheepandgrowingolivetrees.In 1983,theIsraelisettlementofSusiyawasestablishednearthevillage,onPalestinianlandthathad beendeclaredstatelandbyIsrael.In1986,theCivilAdministrationdeclaredthevillageslandan archeologicalsite,thelandwasconfiscatedforpublicpurposesandtheIsraeliarmyexpelledits 37

 residentsfromtheirhomes.Atthetime,about25familieswerelivinginKhirbetSusiya,incavesand structures.138Havingnootheroption,thefamiliesrelocatedtoothercavesintheareaandtoflimsy woodframesheltersandtentstheyplacedonagriculturallandafewhundredmeterssoutheastof theoriginalvillageandthearcheologicalsite. InJuly2001,ashorttimeafterPalestinianskilledYairHarSinai,aresidentoftheSusiyasettlement, theIsraelimilitaryagainexpelledthevillageresidents.Duringtheexpulsion,carriedoutwithout warning,soldiersdestroyedresidentsproperty,demolishedtheircavesandblockedtheircisterns.139 FollowingthesubmissionofaHighCourtpetitionby83oftheresidentsviaAttorneyShlomoLecker, thecourtinSeptember2001issuedaninterimorderthatprohibitedfurtherdestructionpendinga rulingonthepetition.140Withthecavesruined,thepeopleofKhirbetSusiyawereobligedtobuild temporarysheltersandtentstolivein. TheCivilAdministrationrefusedtoprepareamasterplanforthevillagethatwouldenableits residentstobuildhomeslegallyandconnecttowaterandelectricitysupplies.Instead,theCivil Administrationissueddemolitionordersforthenewstructureswhich,theyalleged,werenot coveredbytheinterimorder.InFebruary2004,thepetitionwasamended,andthevillagersasked tobepermittedtosubmitbuildingpermitapplications.141Aftermorethanthreeyears,with residentsapplicationtotheplanningauthoritieshavingfailed,theHighCourtinJune2007decided tovacatethepetition.Thejudgesruledthatthepetitionhadbeenutilizedtothefullestextent,since theresidentshadtriedandfailedtokosherconstructionintheirvillage.Notwithstanding,the judgesaddedthatthisshouldnotbeconstruedasexpressinganopinionregardingthequestionof appropriatesolutionswithrespecttothepopulationtowhichthepetitionersbelong.142Thecourt permittedthepetitionerstosubmitapplicationsforbuildingpermitswithin45daysoftheverdict,

138

DavidGrossman,TheArabVillageanditssatellitesprocessesinArabsettlementinEretzYisraelduringthe

Ottomanperiod,(YadBenZvi,1996),p.226[Hebrew].
139

SeeHCJ7530/01Sheertih?Saryatih?etalv.CivilAdministrationforJudeaandSamariaetal.,Amended

petitiondated26February2004.
140

HCJ7530/01,Interimorderdated26September2001. HCJ7530/01,Amendedpetitiondated26February2004. HCJ7530/01,Verdictdated6June2007.

141

142

http://elyon2.court.gov.il/files/01/300/075/C39/01075300.C39.pdf[Hebrew].

38

 andtheydidso.InSeptember2008,theCivilAdministrationdeniedalltheapplicationsonthebasis ofaseriesofplanningandlandrelatedreasons.143 During2001and2002,settlersestablishedanumberofoutpostsonsomeofthelandthatinthe pasthadservedthePalestinianresidents.Furthermore,sincethedestructionofKhirbetSusiyain 2001,settlersfromSusiyaanditsoutpostshadpreventedcontinuousaccessforthevillagersto about300hectaresoflandaroundthesettlement,including23watercisterns.Preventingaccess wasaccomplishedwiththreatsandwithviolence,includingvandalizingpastures,crops,treesand cisterns,andabusingshepherds.144ThesettlersexploittheinabilityofthePalestinianresidentsto reachtheirlandinordertotakeoversomeofthem.Inthesummerof2010theycultivatedabout40 hectares,whichisapproximately15percentofthelandareatowhichtheypreventedaccessforthe Palestinians. WhenpolicefileswereopenedinresponsetocomplaintslodgedbythePalestiniansforthisdamage, mostwereclosedwithouteffect.BasedonmonitoringbyRabbisforHumanRights,of120 complaintstothepoliceinHebronsubmittedbyKhirbetSusiyaresidentsallegingattacks,threats, incursionsanddamagetopropertybysettlers,atleast95percentofthecaseswereclosed,without anyonehavingbeencharged.145BTselemhassince2004beenmonitoring11complaintstothe policeregardingsettlerviolenceagainstKhirbetSusiyaresidents,includingphysicalassaults,setting firetotentdwellings,threats,choppingdownolivetrees,stealingcropsandotherproperty damage.Ineightofthesecases,theinvestigationwasclosedonthegroundsoflackofevidenceor culpritsunknown,andinthreecasestheinvestigationisstillongoing.146

143

HCJ1556/12Regavimetal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,Respondentsresponsedated16February2012,

paragraph4.
144

Formoreonthisphenomenon,seeBTselem,AccessDeniedIsraelimeasurestodenyPalestiniansaccess

tolandaroundsettlements,September2008, http://www.Btselem.org/publications/summaries/200809_access_denied.
145

Alistof84ofthecomplaintswasappendedtothepetitionsubmittedbyRabbisforhumanRightsinAugust

2010.Seebelow.Sincethen,36additionalcomplaintshavebeensubmitted.Thiswascommunicatedto BTselembyAttorneyQuamarMishirqiAssadofRabbisforHumanRights,byemaildated29April2013.
146

ThelastupdateabouttheseinvestigationswascommunicatedtobTselembyYanivVaki,Directorof

Appeals,StateAttorneysOffice,on1July2012.

39

 InAugust2010,55ofthevillagesresidentssubmittedaHighCourtpetitionthroughRabbisfor HumanRights,seekingtobeallowed,interalia,accesstotheirlandonadailybasis.147Inresponseto thepetition,thestatenotifiedtheHCJinOctober2010thatthemilitaryandtheCivilAdministration intendedtomaptheownershipoflandintheareaandthen,accordingly,instructtheforcesinthe fieldastohowtodealwiththeneedtoallowaccesstotheagriculturalplotsofland.148Upuntilmid May2013,themilitaryhadissuedonlyfourorders,closingtothesettlersanareaof283.3hectares onlyabout3percentofthelandtowhichaccesshadbeendeniedtothePalestinianresidentsand,in practice,removed/reversedonlyoneincursionbysettlers,fromaplotaboutonethirdofone hectare(3.5dunams).Thepreventionofaccesstosome87percentoftheareacontinues.149 InFebruary2012,Regavim(anonprofitorganizationdedicatedtopreservingthenationsland) andtheSusiyasettlementpetitionedtheHighCourtseekingtohavetheCivilAdministrationcarry outthedemolitionordersithadissuedforbuildingsinKhirbetSusiya150Followingdeliberationson thepetitioninJune2012,thecourtissuedaninterimorderprohibitingnewconstructioninpartsof thevillagewithrespecttowhichthepetitionhadbeensubmitted.Thecourtdidnotprohibitthe CivilAdministrationfrommeantimecarryingoutthedemolitionorders.151 Aboutaweeklater,theCivilAdministrationdistributedtoresidentsofKhirbetSusiyaanoticeof theirrighttosubmitobjectionspriortodemolition.Onthemapsattachedtothenotices,theCivil Administrationhadmarkedsixsegmentsofland,includingoneof13,200squaremeters encompassingmostofthebuiltupareaofthevillage,andincludingaboutseventystructures,most ofwhichhadnothaddemolitionordersissuedagainstthempreviously.Thestructuresincluded24 residentialbuildings(includingfourancientcaves),21sheeppensandchickencoops,fivestructures housingcellularenergysystems,sixtoilets,aclinic,acommunitycenter,cisterns,andstructures housingabutterchurnandashop.Demolitionordersforthirtyotherbuildingsinthevillage, includinganelementaryschool,hadalreadybeenissuedinthepast.Implementationofthe
147

HCJ5825/10Nawajahetal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,petitiondated3August2010. HCJ5825/10,Statesresponsedated20October2010. ReportedtoBTselembyAdv.KamerMasharki=Asadof ,byemailon21May2013. HCJ1556/12Regavimetal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,Petitiondated21February2012.

148

149

150

http://www.regavim.org.il/images/stories/na.pdf[Hebrew].
151

HCJ1556/12,Decisiondated7June2012.

http://elyon1.court.gov.il/files/12/560/015/s06/12015560.s06.pdf[Hebrew]

40

 demolitionorderswouldannihilatethevillagewithitshomes,communityinstitutionsandthe residentsmeansoflivelihood.Ontheresidentsbehalf,RabbisforHumanRightslodgedanappeal withtheCivilAdministrationagainstthisnotice,buthasreceivednoresponsetodate. Currentlyabout250peopleliveinthevillage,intwosectionsofland.OnbehalfofKhirbetSusiyas residents,attheendof2012RabbisforHumanRightssubmittedtotheCivilAdministrationamaster plancoveringthenorthernpartofthevillage.InJanuary2013,thestatenotifiedtheHighCourtthat theCivilAdministrationwasevaluatingtheplanandthat,untiladecisionwasreachedaboutit,the demolitionordersforthatlandwouldnotbecarriedout.152AttheendofJanuary2013,theHigh CourthelddeliberationsjointlyontheRegavimpetitionandthepetitionbyRabbisforHumanRights concerningKhirbetSusiya.Thejudgesdecidedtoallowtheresidentstosubmit,within90days,a proposedplanforthesouthernpartofthevillage.Theyalsodecidedthatwithinthatperiodoftime, thestatemustprovideanupdateregardingtheproposedplansubmittedforthenorthernpartof thevillage,andaddressthestatusofeachsegmentoflandtowhichaccessforvillageresidentshad beenprevented.153 InApril2013,RabbisforHumanRightssubmittedaproposedplanforthe southernpartofthevillage.AsofmidMay2013,thestatehadyettosubmititsposition.
Testimony of Muhammad Belal, farmer and shepherd, 62 years old, married and a father of 12, resident of Khirbet Susiya154

IwasbornandraisedinSusiya.Iinheritedthelandfrommyfather,andallourliveswehaveearned ourlivingfromfarmingandraisingsheep.Once,beforethesettlementswereestablishedinthis area,includingtheSusiyasettlement,whichisaboutakilometreeastofmyhouse,thefarmingwas moreworthwhile.Wecouldgrazethesheepfreely,butnow,withthelandbeingtakenoverandthe settlementsencroaching,wecannotgettothepasturesandthesiegehastightened.Wehave startedbuyingindustrialfoodforthesheep,andraisingthemhasbecomeveryexpensiveandnot worthit.Oncewehad150sheepbutwehadtosellmostofthemandwereleftwith60head.[]

152

HCJ1556/12,Respondentsresponsedated13January2013. HCJ5825/10,430/12,and1556/12,Decisiondated3February2013.

153

http://elyon2.court.gov.il/files/10/250/058/M34/10058250.M34.pdf[Hebrew].
154

TestimonyofMuhammadHamdanHamadBelalwasgiventoMusaAbuHashhash,BTselemresearcher,on

23April2013,inthewitnessshome.

41

 Inthewinter,wecollectrainwaterincisterns.Becauseourareahaslittlerain,thewaterisnt enough,andinthesummertimewesufferaseriouscrisis.SowehavetobuywaterfromYatta, whichcostsusalotofmoney,andsometimesforeignagencieshelpuswithit.TheIsraeli governmenthasforbiddenusfromhookinguptothewatersystembecausethisisAreaC.Ifwe werehookeduptothewatersupply,ourliveswouldbemucheasier,becausewecouldraisefruit andvegetablesinsteadofwheatandbarleywhichoftendontripenpropertybecauseofthescarcity ofrain. AlsowearenothookeduptoelectricitybecauseitsAreaC.Westartedusingelectricityjustthree yearsago,thankstoasmallsolarpanelthatwereceivedfromanIsraeliorganization.Wehave electricityjustafewhoursaday,forlighting,radio,andtelevision,becausethe[solar]cellissmall. Wecantuselargeelectricalapplianceslikearefrigeratororawashingmachine,soIfeelthatour liveshavenotadvancedthatmuch. Inadditiontothescarcityofwaterandelectricity,wealsosufferformthefactthatwehaveno pavedroadtoourvillage.Theroadisrockyandonlyatractororafourwheeldrivevehiclecan travelonit.Itsmorethanhalfakilometertothenearestpavedroad.Westillgofromplacetoplace onfoot,orondonkeys.Sometimessickpeopleorpregnantwomenabouttogivebirthhavetobe takenthatwayasfarastheroad,andfromthere,theyaretakeninaprivatecaroranambulanceto thehospital. Inadditiontoallthesedifficulties,thesettlersattackus.Wearealwayswalkingaroundwithasense thatourlivesonthislandaretemporaryandillegal.Thishasaneffectonstabilitysocially, emotionallyandeconomically.Itshardforustosleepatnightbecauseofthefear.

Recap on the firing zone: Is it really about military training needs and adherence to planning laws?
Tosumuptheforegoingdiscussion,dozensofunrecognizedandunplannedvillagesintheirentirety areunderthreatofdemolition,andaboutathousandpeoplearethreatenedwithexpulsiononthe groundsthattheirhomesareinafiringzone.AllofthisistheresultofIsraelipolicyintheSouth HebronHills.Thestateexplainsthispolicybyreferencetoenforcementoftheplanningand constructionlaws,andsometimesalsoarguesthatthereisamilitaryneed.AlookatIsraelspolicy andpronouncementsovertheyearsregardingtheSouthHebronHills,however,raisesthesuspicion

42

 thatitsrealmotivationsareotherwise,particularly:aspirationstoannexthelandtoIsrael,an aspirationmoreeasilyachievediftheresidentsareexpelled. DuetoitsproximitytotheGreenLineandtherelativelysmallPalestinianpopulationlivingthere,the SouthHebronHillsareaisperceivedasacandidateforannexationandthusanattractivetargetfor settlement,tocreateJewishIsraelicontiguityonbothsidesoftheGreenLine.Andindeed,allthe settlementprogramsintheWestBank,whichhaveguidedonegenerationafteranotherofIsraeli governments,clearlypointtoanintentiontoannextoIsraelvariouspartsoftheSouthHebronHills: TheAllonPlan,whichguidedIsraeligovernmentsbetween1967and1977onallaspectsof establishingsettlementsintheWestBank,proposedtheannexationtoIsraelofabouthalfofthe landareaoftheSouthHebronHills.155AnotherplanwasdrawnupbyMatityahuDrobles,thenhead oftheSettlementDivisionoftheWorldZionistOrganization,andservedasthebasisforgovernment policyfrom1978untilthemid1980s.Underthatplan,IsraelwouldcontinuetoholdtheentireWest Bank,andtothatendwouldestablishachainofsettlementsthroughoutitsterritory.156Oneofthe settlementblocsproposedbytheplanwassouthofHebron,onbothsidesoftheGreenLine,near whatwouldlaterbetheclosedzone.In1981,mapswerepublishedaspartofaplanofferedbythen ministerofdefenseArielSharontoannextheterritoryoftheWestBanktoIsrael.IntheSouth HebronHillsarea,Sharonsuggestedannexingextensiveareas.Againintheframeworkofthe negotiationsforapermanentagreementbetweenIsraelandthePalestiniansthattookplaceinJuly 2000atCampDavid,thenprimeministerEhudBarakproposedtothePalestinianrepresentatives thatIsraelannex13percentoftheterritoryoftheWestBankandretainforasubstantialnumberof years10percentmore.PartsoftheSouthHebronHills,includingtheclosedzone,wereamongthe areasthatBarakwashopingtoretain.157 TheoriginalrouteoftheSeparationBarrierinthesouthernWestBank,whichwasapprovedbythe IsraeligovernmentinOctober2003,alsotestifiestoIsraelsaspirationstoannex,andnotnecessarily defacto,theSouthHebronHills.Therouteasplannedlocatedthebarrierfivetoeightkilometers
155

SeeMeronBenvenistiandShlomoKhayat,TheWestBankandGazaAtlas,WestBankDataProject(The

JerusalemPost,Jerusalem,1987),pp.6364.
156

MatityahuDrobles,ThecurrentstateofthesettlementsinJudeaandSamaria(WorldZionistOrganization,

Jerusalem,September1980),p.3.[thatstheHebpage]
157

RonPundakandShaulArieli,TheTerritorialAspectoftheIsraeliPalestinianPermanentStatus

Negotiations,PeresCenterforPeace,September2004,p.29.

43

 northoftheGreenLine,leavingsome17,000hectaresoftheSouthHebronHillsareaontheIsraeli side,andincludesallthesettlementsandoutpostsinthevicinityaswellasthevillagesinMasafer Yatta.Thisroutewassubsequentlychanged;158usingtheamendedroute,approvedinFebruary 2005,theSeparationBarrierwouldriseinthesouthernWestBankneartheGreenLine,leavingonly twosettlementsontheIsraeliside(EshkolotandMetzudatYehuda).Thusfar,constructionofthe barrierhasnotbeguninthatarea,althoughinDecember2005themilitarybeganerectinga concretebarrier82cmhighalong41kmofRoute317,fromtheCarmelsettlementassouthasfaras theTenesettlement,alongaroutesimilartotheoriginalrouteoftheSeparationBarrier.Followinga petitiontotheHighCourt,thecourtorderedthedismantlingofthebarrier159and,aftersomedelays, itwasdismantledinAugust2007.

158

InfluencedbytheHCJverdict2056/04,BeitSourikVillageCounciletal.v.GovernmentofIsraeletal.,

Verdictof30June2004.Inthisverdict,thecourtruledthattherouteofthebarriernorthwestofJerusalemis illegal,inthatitdisproportionatelyharmsthePalestinianresidentslivingnearby,andthecourtorderedthe statetoproposeanalternateroute.

159

HCJ1748/06HeadofDhahiriyahVillageCouncilv.CommanderofIDFForcesintheWestBank(and

additionalpetitions),Verdictdated14December2006: http://www.btselem.org/heb/legal_documents/hc1748_06_20061214_southern_hebron_hills_concrete_barri cade_ruling.pdf[Hebrew].

44

Chapter III: The Maale Adumim area expelling Bedouins to benefit Israeli settlement
HundredsofBedouinfromtheJahalintribeweredisplacedbytheCivilAdministrationinthe1980s and1990s,expelledfromtheareawheretheylivedtomakewayforthenewsettlementofMaale Adumimanditssubsequentphasesofexpansion.Inthepermanentsitetowhichtheyweremoved, neartheAbuDisgarbagedump,theycannotmaintaintheirtraditionallifestyle,whichrequiresopen spaceswheretheirflockscanliveandgraze.Nearly3,000moreBedouinwhoarestilllivinginthe MaaleAdumimareaarecurrentlyunderthreatofexpulsion.Mostofthemliveinanenclave createdbyconstructionoftheSeparationBarriertoconnectthesettlementtotherestofIsrael; about1,300ofthe3,000liveinAreaE1,withinthejurisdictionofMaaleAdumim,whereplanned IsraeliconstructionwillforgeacontinuousbuiltupconnectionbetweenIsraelisettlementsand Jerusalem.

The Jahalin and the area around Maale Adumim

Atthebeginningofthe1950s,BedouinoftheJahalintribewereuprootedfromtheTalArad(Tel Arad)areaoftheNegevandmovedtotheWestBank.Somewereexpelledfromthesiteoftheir originalcommunitybytheIsraeliarmy;otherswereintheWestBanktograzetheirherdsandwere forbiddentoreturntoTalArad.160ThedisplacedBedouinscontractedwithPalestinianlandownersto leaselandintheareawherethesettlementofMaaleAdumimwouldlaterbebuilt,andtherethey settled.Themembersofthetribewerenomadic,fromtimetotimemovingaroundinthisvicinity andintheJordanValley,tograzethelivestockonwhichtheirlivelihooddepended.Afterthe occupationoftheWestBankbyIsraelin1967,theIsraelimilitaryincreasinglyrestrictedtheJahalins accesstomanyoftheirgrazingareas:Somesectionsweredeclaredmilitaryzonesandothers,nature preserves.Inconsequence,theboundariesoftheirgrazingareasshrankandtheirabilitytoearna livingfromraisinglivestockwassharplyreduced.Bygradualstages,theywereforcedintothe vicinityoftheJerusalemJerichoroad,whereuntilthe1980stheyerectedtheirsemipermanenttent dwellings,alongwithatleasttwopermanenthomes.161
See,e.g.,EmanuelMarx,BedouinSocietyintheNegev,(Reshafim,1974),p.17;MosheSharon,The

160

BedouinintheJudeanDesertinYitzhakBailey(ed.),WritingsontheBedouin[B],(SdeBokerInstitute,Field School,undated[mid1970s,basedonotherpamphletsintheseries]),pp.181187,seep.181[Hebrew].
161

SeeBTselem,OnTheWayToAnnexationHumanRightsViolationsResultingfromtheEstablishment

andExpansionoftheMa'alehAdumimSettlement,June1999,pp.2122, http://www.Btselem.org/sites/default/files2/on_the_way_to_annexation.pdf;BimkomandBTselem,The

45

 In1974,thegovernmentdecidedtobuildanindustrialzoneforJerusalematMishorAdumim,plus residentialunitsfortheworkerstobeemployedthere.162InMarch1975,theministerialcommittee forlandallocationsorderedaconstructionfreezeonapproximately3,000hectaresofalEizariyah, AbuDisandothervillagesamuchgreaterlandareathanrequiredforanindustrialpark.163In Decemberofthatyear,23familiestookupresidenceinacampforlaborers,andin1977thiswas recognizedasaciviliancommunitythesettlementofMaaleAdumim.164Thatyearalsosawa freezeonapproximately400additionalhectaresfortheexpansionofthesettlementandthe constructionofinfrastructure.165TheboundariesofMaaleAdumimweresetin1979bymilitary order,andencompassedatthetimeapproximately3,500hectares,ofwhich150hectareshadbeen expropriatedduringtheperiodofJordanianrule.166Alsoduringthatyear,thesettlementwas recognizedasalocalcouncil,andin1991MaaleAdumimwasthefirstsettlementtobeclassifieda city.167Duringthe1980sand1990stheboundariesofthesettlementwereexpandedbyanother approximately1,300hectares,whichIsraelhaddeclaredtobestateland.168Theprincipalpartofthis areacomprisesAreaE1,whereIsraelplanstobuildadditionalneighborhoodstoconnectMaale

HiddenAgendaTheEstablishmentandExpansionPlansofMa'aleAdummimandtheirHumanRights Ramifications,December2009,pp.2526,44, http://www.Btselem.org/download/200912_maale_adummim_eng.pdf.

162

Governmentdecisionno.159,DevelopmentofJerusalem,23November1974[Hebrew].SeeBimkomand

BTselem,TheHiddenAgenda,pp.1213.Foramapoftheexpropriatedland,seeinthatreport,pp.17,19.
163

Decisionno.385byCabinetCommitteeforLandAllocations,30March1975.SeeBimkomandBTselem,

TheHiddenAgenda,pp.9,13.
164

Governmentdecisionno.835(20/)of26July1977[Hebrew].Whatis? SeeBimkomandBTselem,TheHiddenAgenda,p.9.Foradiscussionofthenatureoftheexporpriations,

165

seeTheHiddenAgenda,pp.1016,2526,andBTselem,OntheWaytoAnnexation,pp.914.
166

OrderinthematterofMaaleAdumimmanagement(JudeaandSamaria)(no.788),1979[Hebrew]. MaaleAdumimmunicipalwebsite.http://www.maaleadummim.muni.il/Page.asp?Id=128 SeeBimkomandBTselem,TheHiddenAgenda,pp.2627,31

167

168

46

 AdumimtotheterritoryofJerusalem(seebelow).CurrentlythejurisdictionalareaofMaale Adumimencompassesapproximately4,800hectaresandhasapopulationofover36,000.169

Expulsion of the Jahalin and their life at the alternate site

TheestablishmentofMaaleAdumimwroughtseriousdamagetothemembersoftheJahalintribe andcontinuestoharmthemevennow.HundredsofJahalinwereexpelledovertheyearsfromtheir tentsandlivingareastoallowthedevelopmentandexpansionofthesettlement.Asfarbackasthe 1980s,theauthoritiesweredestroyingtheirtentencampmentsandatleasttwopermanent structuresinwhichmembersofthetribelived,duringdevelopmentworkforthecity.170In1994the CivilAdministrationorderedtheevacuationofdozensofJahalinfamiliesfromlandthathadbeen allocatedtotheexpandingnewsettlement.AHighCourtpetitionsubmittedagainsttheexpulsions wasrejected,171andthefamilieswereevacuatedthatyeartoasitenexttotheJerusalemmunicipal garbagedump,onAbuDisland,whichIsraelhaddeclaredtobestateland.Twofurtherforcible evacuationsofgroupsofJahalin172wereeffectedinJanuary1997andJanuary1998.Theresidents propertywasloadedontotrucksandtransportedtothenewsite,andtheresidentsmovedinto smallmetalshippingcontainers. FiveHighCourtpetitionsweresubmitted,throughAttorneyShlomoLecker,byalltheJahalingroups thathadreceiveddemolitionandexpulsionordersin1997and1998.Followingthepetition submittedbyoneofthesegroups,anagreementwasdraftedbetweenitsrepresentativesandthe headoftheCivilAdministration,andtheagreementwasaffirmedbytheHighCourt.173Afterwards, membersofthegroupmovedtothesitenearthegarbagedump(hereinafter,thealternatesite), wheretheCivilAdministrationwasleasingthemplotsoflandgratis,about500squaremeters(.05 hectares)forsinglepeopleandbetween1,000and1,500squaremetersforfamilies.Theybuilttheir
169

Thenumberofinhabitantsiscorrectasoftheyear2011andisgivenonthewebsiteofIsraelsCentral

BureauofStatistics. http://www.cbs.gov.il/reader/?MIval=%2Fpop_in_locs%2Fpop_in_locs_e.html&LocalityCode=3616.
170

BimkomandBTselem,TheHiddenAgenda,pp.2526,41 HCJ2966/95MuhammadAhmadSalehHareshetal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,Verdictdated28May

171

1996.
172

Formoreontheevacuation,seeBTselem,OntheWaytoAnnexation,pp.2325. HCJ1242/98Jahalinetal.v.CivilAdministrationetal.,Noticeofagreementbetweentheparties,7

173

February1999.

47

 homesontheselots,afterreceivingbuildingpermitswithoutfees.TheCivilAdministrationprovided aconnectiontowaterforeachlotandallocatedlandatthesiteforpublicbuildingsincludinga mosque,aschoolandaclinic.TheevacueesreceivedfromtheCivilAdministrationsumsofmoney intendedtoprovidefinal,fullcompensationfortheirrightsand/oranydamagesinvolvedinthe move:15,000shekelsforonepersonor28,000to38,000shekelsforafamily,dependingonits size.174Theagreementprovidedforanareaofapproximately300hectaresinwhichtheevacuees werepermittedtograzetheirflocks,andstatedthatiftheyexceededthoselimits,theCivil Administrationretainsfullauthoritytoremovethepetitioners.175Thisarrangementbecame applicablesubsequentlytoalltheotherfamiliesforciblyevacuatedinprioryears.176 ThearrangementwasreachedwiththeagreementoftheJahalin,true,butthefactoftheexpulsion itselftothealternatesitewasforcedonthemasnonnegotiable;alltheycoulddowastotryto improvetheconditionsoftheirexpulsion.Today,undertheconditionsofthisarrangement, approximately190familiesarelivingatthealternatesite.177Meanwhile,theremainingmembers ofthetribe,approximately2,700persons,arestilllivingonthemarginsoftheJerusalemJericho roadandaroundMaaleAdumim(seebelow).Furthermore,inthesamearethereisalsoone communityofBedouinfromthetribeofaKaabneh,withabout80people,andonecommunityfrom thetribeofaSawahra,withabout150people.178 LifeintheJahalinvillageasplannedbytheCivilAdministrationinvolvesseveralseriousproblemsfor itsresidents:ThealternatesiteisveryclosetotheAbuDisgarbagedump,wheresomethousands ofgarbagehavebeentruckeddailysinceJuly2011,andmorethan1,500tonsadaybeforethat, mostofitfromJerusalem.179TheouterbuildingsoftheJahalinarelocatedabout300metersfrom thedump,subjectingthemtoterribleodors.ThestateexplainedtotheHighCourtthatlarge
174

Paragraphs1213oftheagreement. Paragraph6oftheagreement. SeeHCJ5813/00,Verdictdated23October2003.

175

176

http://elyon2.court.gov.il/files/00/130/058/N18/00058130.N18.pdf[Hebrew]
177

HCJ3930/12Araraetal.v.HeadofCivilAdministrationforJudeaandSamaria,Respondentsresponse

dated14June2012atparagraph16.
178

ThenumbersarebasedonfieldresearchconductedbyBTselemresearcher'Amer'AruriinApril2013. HCJ3930/12Araraetal.v.HeadoftheCivilAdministrationforJudeaandSamaria,Respondents

179

responsedated14June2012atparagraph47.

48

 accumulationsofmethanegashavecollectedatthewastesiteovertheyears,andthefiresthat occurtherecouldcausethecollapseofthemountainofwaste,whichisliabletocausesevere environmentaldamageandevenposeadangertohumanlife.180Thewastecollectionsitewas supposedtobeshutdowninMarch2013;asof1May2013,thesitewasstilloperating,andthere hasbeennochangeinthequantitiesofgarbagehauledthere.181Evenonceithasbeenclosed,gases willcontinuetoaccumulateatthesitefordecadesafterrefuseisnolongerbeingburiedthere,anda rehabilitationprocessisplannedthatwillgoonformanyyears.182 Theareaallottedtoeachfamilyatthesiteissmallandisunsuitableforkeepingflocks.Thus,the permanenthomesatthealternatesitepreventtheJahalinrelocatedtherefromlivingtheir traditionallifestyle,whichreliesonseasonalmigrationandraisinglivestock.The300hectares allottedtoresidentsofthevillageforgrazingaresituationalongsidetheMaaleAdumimsettlement, partlyevendesignatedafiringzone,andthemilitarylimitstheaccess.Thedifficultyingaining accesstothegrazingareacreatedadependenceonthepurchaseofcostlyfodderforthesheep.This ledherderstosellsomeoftheirlivestock,andtodayonlyabout30percentoftheresidentsatthe alternatesitearecontinuingtoraiselivestock.Theothersaredependentforalivingonfamily memberswhoworkaslaborers,includinginthenearbysettlements.Anotherproblemisthat althoughIsraelhasdecidedthatthelandatthealternatesiteisstateland,fromtheperspective ofPalestinians,includingtheJahalinthere,thelandbelongstotheresidentsofAbuDis,sothe Jahalinareperceivedastrespassers. EidAbuGhalia,55,marriedfatherof13,isoneoftheJahalinwhowereexpelledin1997tothe alternatesiteandsubsequentlybuilttheirhomesthere.HetoldBTselemhowhislifeandthelife ofhiscommunitywerealteredbytheuprootingandrelocation:183
180

HCJ10611/08CityofMaaleAdumimv.CommanderofIDFforcesinJudeaandSamaria,Statesresponse

dated22February2009,paragraph17.Theemphasisisintheoriginal.
181

SeewebsiteoftheMaaleAdumimEconomicDevelopmentCompany,

http://www.parkedom.co.il/%D7%94%D7%97%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%94 %D7%94%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA[Hebrew]
182

CommunicatedbyYoavGoeloftheMinistryofEnvironmentalProtection,inameetingoftheKnessetJoint

InteriorLaborCommitteeon6February2012. http://www.knesset.gov.il/protocols/data/rtf/pnim/20120206.rtf[Hebrew]
183

TestimonybyEidAliSalemAbuGhalia,55,giventoBTselemresearcherAmer'Arurion17January2013at

aRaghabnah.732464

49

 TheBedouinwayoflifeisbasedonthreecomponents:atent,alargeandborderlessopenspace, andtheraisingoflivestockasbothasourceoflivelihoodandamarkerofsocialstatus.[] IgrewupinanareathatisnowtheMaaleAdumimsettlement.[]Theareawassuitablefor Bedouinlifetherewereopenspacesavailableforgrazingandtheclimateinthewinterwas relativelywarm.Irememberthatmylifewashappy.MyfathertaughtmetoherdthesheepandI wouldgowiththemfromplacetoplace.TheBedouinscornothertypesoflabor,andtheirsocial statusisdeterminedbythesizeoftheherdandthenumberoffemalecamels.Myfamily,withfour boysandtwogirls,hadtwohundredheadofsheep. []On27January1997atabout9:30inthemorning,alargeIsraeliforcecametothearea.[]They forcedustoleaveandrelocatedustoironcontainersthatarentappropriateforafamilytolivein. Thedimensionsoftheironstructurearetwoandahalfmetersbysixmeters.Itisappropriateforan office,notforahouse. Irememberthatonedaytherewasabigstormintheareaandwecouldntstandit.Theiron structurewastoocoldandthewindsandrainmadeittremble.Someofthepeoplehadtorunto nearbycaves,andothersfledtothehousesoffriendsoracquaintancesinalEizariyahandAnabta. []IntheironstructurethattheIsraelimilitarygaveus,therewasnoheatingsystemandyoucould notburnwoodinsideit,either.Afterthestormwasover,Idecidedtogobacktothevillage,tothe ironstructure[]Ibuiltashackoutofwoodtoliveinandanothershackforthesheep,nearthe ironone.[]In2001,IgotaplotoflandfromIsraelandIbuiltatwostoryhomeonit.[] LivinginthisvillagecompletelydestroyedtheBedouinwayoflife. Thehousesareclosetogetherand crowdedandwenolongerhaveopenspaceorair,whichisdiscordantforaBedouin,andit influencesthesocialfabric.ThemostsignificantthingisthattheBedouintenthasdisappeared, becauseoftheseverelackofspace.ThetentisofdecisiveimportanceforBedouinsociety.Whena strangercomestoaBedouincommunity,hegoesintothetent.Someonefromthecommunityis alwayssittingthere,sotheguestcanbehonoredandreceivedwithgreetingsandcoffee,andone alsohearsthepurposeofhisvisit. AsBedouinwewereaccustomedtomovingfromplacetoplacewiththeflock,andastheysay, movementisablessing.Butnowmostpeopleinthecommunitynolongerhavesheep;theysold theirflocksbecausetherewerenopasturesavailable.Consequently,manyofthecommunity becameunemployedandinactive. Ipersonallyhaveonlytenheadofsheepnow,andIveonlykeptthembecausemysonsurgedmeto. ItwasimpossibletokeepthetwohundredsheepIusedtohavebecausetherearenoavailable 50

 pasturesandthereisnogovernmentassistancetocoverthecostofthefeed,whichcoststhousands ofshekelsperton. Ihavefoursonsandonlyoneofthemismarried;hes30yearsold.Meantime,mysonMustafa chosetogoandstudysocialworkatAlQudsUniversityinsteadofgettingmarried,becausehe knowsthathehasnowheretobuildahouseandstartafamily.MysonMahmoud,whois26and single,worksasacleanerinMaaleAdumim.MysonsAhmad,28,andAbdallah,20,aresingleand unemployed,andhavebeenforbiddentoworkinMaaleAdumimforsecurityreasons. WhathappenedtotheBedouinisatragedy.Theyforcedustoleaveourlandtoputthesettlement ofMaaleAdumimandothersettlementsthereinstead,andtheyalsocompletelydestroyedthe Bedouinwayoflifeandourlivelihood,too.Wesoldourflocksandourwomenhavebecome cleanersinthesettlements,likemysons.Andifthatwerentenough,thelandwedohaveweare notallowedtocultivate,forsecurityreasons.[] Whenwecameheretolive,themaingarbagedumpwas600metersfromus,butthesitewas expandedandnowits300metersaway.Inthesummerthesiteemitsarevoltingodorandattracts ratsandstraydogsandcats.[]TheplaceiscalledtheBedouinvillage,butthereisntanywhere herewhereagriculturalprojectscanbedone.Withtheresidentscrowdedthisway,howcouldit evenbecalledavillage?Itsalmostagiantprison,whichmakesme,asaBedouinman,feel strangled.

Future plans
Twoplans,intendedtoreinforcethesettlementblocintheMaaleAdumimareaandconnectitwith Jerusalem,arethreateningtheBedouinwhostillliveinthetentencampmentsandtinshacksinthe area:oneistheE1plan,intheframeworkofwhichIsraelplanstocreateacontiguousbuiltuparea betweenMaaleAdumimandJerusalem;theotherisIsraelsplantoerecttheSeparationBarrieron aroutethatwillleaveMaaleAdumimandthesettlementsarounditinanenclaveconnectedto Israeliterritory.
The E1 plan

TheE1area(acronymforEast1)extendsoverabout1,200hectares,whichwerejoinedtothe jurisdictionalareaofMaaleAdumiminthe1990s.Itislocatednorthandwestofthesettlementand includesmainlyterritorytothenorthoftheJerusalemJerichoroad(Route1)butalsotothesouth ofit(westofRoute417).In1999theCivilAdministrationapprovedmasterplan420/4,which 51

 encompassesalltheterritoryofE1,andwhoseimplementationwillcreateacontinuous,builtup urbanblocbetweenMaaleAdumimandJerusalem.184 Thelandsintheplanhavebeendesignatedstateland,andwithinthatareaareafewenclavesof agriculturallandunderprivatePalestinianownership.Theplansnorthernandsouthernboundaries mostlyadjointheSeparationBarrierasplannedforthearea;thebarrierwillleaveMaaleAdumim ontheIsraelisideandcutitofffromnearbyareasoftheWestBank. Implementationofthemasterplandependsonapprovalofdetailedcomponentplans,whichmust precedeissuanceofbuildingpermits.Thusfar,twosuchplanshavebeenapproved:Plan420/4/2, approvedin2002,encompassesapproximately135hectaresinthenorthwestsectionofE1, adjoiningtheJerusalemmunicipalboundary.Theplandesignatesthisareaasanemploymentand commercialcenterbuthasyettobeimplemented.Plan420/4/9,approvedin2005,encompasses approximately18hectaresanddesignatesthisareaastheJudeaandSamariapoliceheadquarters andhasbeenimplemented;thepoliceheadquartersopenedin2008.Inaddition,Israelhaslaunched aprogramforanetworkofroadsforthisareaatacostof200millionshekels.185Infrastructure developmentofthismagnitudeisintendedtoservetheresidentialneighborhoodsthatIsraelis planningtobuildthere. AtleastthreedetailedplansforresidentialconstructionareintheprocessofdevelopmentforE1, with4,000residentialunitsandtenhotels.186Sofar,Israeligovernmentshaveheldupfurther buildinginthearea,interaliaduetothestrenuousoppositionoftheUnitedStatesgovernmentand theEuropeanUnion;accordingtothemedia,PrimeMinisterBenjaminNetanyahucommitted himselftotheUSpresidentnottobuildinE1.187Notwithstanding,attheendofNovember2012,the governmentgavethegoaheadforthedetailedplans,inresponsetotheUNdecisiontoaccept

184

Formoreontheplan,seeBimkomandBTselem,TheHiddenAgenda,pp.3033. AmosHarel,Haaretz.Israelinvests200millionshekelsinexpandingMaaleAdumim,31December2008

185

http://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/1.1243191[Hebrew]
186

Plans420/4/3,420/4/7.SeeBimkomandBTselem,TheHiddenAgenda,p.31. BarakRavid,Haaretz,Erekat:NetanyahupromisednottobuildbetweenMaaleAdumimandJerusalem,

187

26January2011 http://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/1.1158910[Hebrew]

52

 Palestineasanobserverstate.188Subsequently,theCivilAdministrationgavetheokayfortwoofthe threeplansforresidentialconstructioninE1tobemadeavailableforpublicscrutinyand objections.189By1may2013theplanshadyettobefiledandnoprogresswasmadeintheprocess ofapprovingthem TheimplementationoftheplanforE1isexpectedtohaveseriousimplicationsforthepopulationof theentireWestBank.JerusalemsitsnexttothenarrowestpartoftheWestBankwhereitisonly approximately28kmwidefromeasttowest.Inpractice,becauseofthesteeptopographyofthe area,eastwardtowardtheJordanValley,thepossiblepassagebetweenthenorthernandsouthern WestBankisfarmorenarrowandrestricted.BuildinginE1willcreateacontinuousurbanstrip betweenJerusalemandMaaleAdumim,greatlynarrowingthepassagebetweenthenorthernand southernportionsoftheWestBank. Whentheplangoesthrough,sectionsofRoutes1,417and437willbewithinthebuiltupareasof thesettlement,whichwillofficiallymaketheminaccessibleforPalestinians.Thisincludesthesection ofRoute437thatcurrentlyprovidestheonlyopenaccessforPalestinianstravelingbetweenthe northernandsouthernpartsoftheWestBank.Cuttingoffthisaccesswillcomplicatethe establishmentofaPalestinianstatewithterritorialcontiguity.Israelisplanningtopaveanalternate routeforPalestiniansthatwillconnectthetwopartsoftheWestBank,butthisroadwillprovide onlyatrafficconnection.TheprivatePalestinianlandthatwillremainwithintheterritorialenclaves delineatedbytheplanwillbesurroundedbybuiltupareasofthesettlement,suggestingthatthe landownersareliabletohavetroublegettingtotheirlandtocultivateit.Oneoftheroadsleadingto policeheadquarterscrossessuchanenclaveandappropriatespartofitsterritory.
The Separation Barrier

InApril2006,theIsraeligovernmentdecidedonanamendedroutefortheSeparationBarrierinthe WestBank.190IntheMaaleAdumimarea,theplannedroutepenetrateseastwardupto14
188

ItamarEichner,YNET,TheresponsetotheUN:3,000apartmentsovertheGreenLine,30November2012

http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L4313849,00.html[Hebrew]
189

ItamarFleischman,YNET,CivilAdministrationgivesOKtoE1buildingplan,5December2012

http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L4316002,00.html[Hebrew]
190

Governmentdecisionno.4783dated30April2006.Amapdefiningthebarrierroutewaspublishedonthe

SeamZoneAuthoritywebsite. http://www.securityfence.mod.gov.il/Pages/Eng/seamzone_map_eng.htm

53

 kilometersintotheWestBankfromtheGreenLine,encompassingthesettlementsinthatareaand connectingthemwiththeIsraelisideofthebarrier.Thusthebarrierwouldcreateanenclaveof 6,400hectares,whichwouldincludemostofthejurisdictionalareaofMaaleAdumim,nearlyallthe E1masterplanterritory,thesettlementsofKfarAdumim,Almon,NofeiPrat,AlonandKeidar,and theMishorAdumimindustrialzone.191Likewise,theenclavewillenclosethePalestinianvillageofa Zaayemandits3,500residents,andabout2,500Bedouin.InJune2009,thestatenotifiedtheHigh CourtthatthedecisiontofreezetheworkonerectingtheSeparationBarrieraroundMaale Adumim,duetobudgetaryrestrictionsandduetootherneedslaidatthedoorstepofthedefense establishment.192Thusfar,onlya6.4kilometersectionhasbeenbuilt,alongtheplanned42 kilometerrouteoftheSeparationBarrierintheMaaleAdumimarea,inthealEizariyaharea.193

The threat of an further expulsion

TheBedouinintheMaaleAdumimvicinitywhowerenotexpelledduringthe1990snownumber 3,000people,abouthalfofthemchildren.Theyliveinmorethantwentyclustersalongthe JerusalemJerichoroadandalsotothenorth,west,andeastofMaaleAdumim.Nineofthese communitiesareintheE1planareaoronitsmargins.Althoughtheyhavelivedintheareafor decades,theCivilAdministrationrefusestoprepareamasterplanforthesecommunities,thereby preventingthemfrombeingabletobuildlegally.TheCivilAdministrationissuesdemolitionorders againstbuildingsinthevariousBedouinpopulationcenters,andinsomecasestheordersincludeall thebuildings.Noneofthesecommunitieshasaconnectiontotheelectricitygrid,andonlyabout halfareconnectedtothewatersupplyandtheiraccesstohealthandeducationalservicesin extremelylimited. TheIsraelisettlementsestablishedinthevicinityKfarAdumim,NofeiPratandAlonwerealso foundedandbuiltwithoutadetailedmasterplan.Notwithstanding,theCivilAdministration sanctionedthemretroactively,bypreparingamasterplanandapprovingit,sometimesasmuchasa decadeafterthesettlementwasfounded.TheMitzpeHagitoutpost,whichsproutedfromKfar

191

SeeBimkomandBTselem,TheHiddenAgenda,Photono.4,p.20. HCJ9919/05SuwahraSharqiyyahCounciletalv.MinisterofDefense;HCJ2001/06AbuDisCouncilv.

192

MinisterofDefense.Thepetitionswerevoidedon11August2009followingthestatesannouncement.
193

FormoreontheSeparationBarrierinthisarea,seeBimkomandBTselem,TheHiddenAgendapp.3941.

54

 Adumim,hasneverreceivedplanningapproval,althoughitsresidentscontinuetolivethereand benefitfromconnectionstoinfrastructure.194 In2005,theCivilAdministrationpreparedaplanfortheevacuationofabouttwohundredadditional JahalinfamiliestothealternatesitenexttotheAbuDisgarbagedump,onthePalestiniansideof theSeparationBarrier.195TheCivilAdministrationplannedtoexpandthealternatesiteandsettle therelocatedfamiliesthere,inwhatthestatetermsnaturalcontiguityoftheJahalintribes settlement.196Theplanwastobuildthenewhousesonlyabout150metersfromthewastesite. TheplanwasapprovedbytheCivilAdministrationsplanningauthorities,butdidnotgointoeffect. InMay2012,throughAttorneyShlomoLecker,Bimkomandsomeoftheresidentsslatedfor displacementpetitionedtheHighCourtagainsttheplannedexpulsionbytheCivilAdministration. ThepetitionerssoughttohavetheCivilAdministrationcanceltheevacuation,involvetheminany subsequentplanningconcerningtheirfuture,andavoidevacuationuntilarulingontheirpetition.197 Initsresponsetothispetition,thestateclarifiedthattheJahalinhavebeenlivinginahaphazard andillegalmannernexttoMaaleAdumimsincethe1960s.198Thestatearguedthatitsplanto transfermembersofthetribetoanalternatesiteispartoftheCivilAdministrationsoverallpolicy regardingtheBedouinintheWestBankandthatitisintendedtoreachapermanentsolution alignedwiththeruleoflawandprovideareasonablestandardoflivingtotherestofthetribe.199 Accordingtothestatesresponse,TheCivilAdministrationhasrecentlybeenpromotingaseriesof plansforvarioustribes,toprovideapermanentresidentialsolutionfortheBedouinpopulation,that willalignwiththeruleoflaw.200
194

Bimkom,ExpertProfessionalPlanningOpiniontheJahalinTribeIKhanalAhmar,February2010.

AppendedtotheHighCourtpetition6288/09ArAraetal.v.MilitaryCommanderforJudeaandSamaria, http://www.bimkom.org/dynContent/articles/Khan%20Al%20Ahmar_expert%20opinion(1).pdf
195

Plans1627/4/05,1627/6/05,1627/5/05,and1627/8/08.[Hebrew] HCJ3930/12Araraetal.v.HeadofCivilAdministrationforJudeaandSamaria,Respondentsresponse

196

dated14June2012,paragraph23.[Hebrew]
197

HCJ3930/12,Petitiondated7May2012. HCJ3930/12,Respondentsresponsedated14June2012,paragraphs15,19. HCJ3930/12,Respondentsresponse,14June2012,paragraph20. HCJ3930/12,Respondentsresponse,14June2012,paragraph12.

198

199

200

55

 Thestateemphasizedthat,withtheseplans,theCivilAdministrationwillprovide,ondesignated statelands,reasonablelivingconditionsforthepopulation:bestowinglegalrightsinplotsfor buildingpermanentresidences,connectiontowaterandelectricity,androads,andfindingsolutions forsewage,thatwillmarkedlyraisethestandardoflivingontheBedouinpopulation.201Itwas stressedthatintheframeworkoftheplanning,theconnectionofthetribetothespacearoundit willalsobeexamined(wherethemembersofthetribeareaccustomedtopray,wherethechildren ofthetribestudy,whereplacesofemploymentarelocated,etc.).202 RegardingtherelocationoftheJahalintoasitenexttothegarbagedump,thestatenotedthatat thebeginningof2012,theCivilAdministrationhadconductedariskassessmentandonlywhenitis completewillitbedecidedwhethertograntfinalapprovaltotheplan.Meantime,noactionwillbe takenontheground,andifadecisionismadetopromotetheplan,itwillbesubmittedagainfor objectionsandthepetitionerswillbeabletoregistertheirobjections.203Followingthis announcement,thepetitionwasvoidedbyagreementoftheparties,withemphasisthatthe authoritiesoftheareareservetherighttocontinuetoactwiththeaimofplanningforthebenefitof thePalestiniansingeneral,andtheBedouinsectorinparticular,intheentireJudeaandSamaria region.204AsofthebeginningofMay2013,theCivilAdministrationhasnotyetpublishedits decisionconcerningtheplanforrelocationtothedump,andhasnotyetsubmittedanalternative planfortheevacuationoftheBedouinfromtheMaaleAdumimarea.
The Khan alAhmar area

TwelveofthePalestiniancommunitieswhoseresidentsliveunderthethreatofexpulsionliveinthe vicinityofKhanalAhmarandtogethernumberabout1,400people.Thecommunitiesarescattered onbothsidesoftheJerusalemJerichoroad,eastofMishorAdumim,andonbothsidesofRoute 437,whichconnectsthemainroadtoHizmeh.Thepeopleofthesecommunitieslacksourcesof incomeandsufferfromaseveredearthofhealth,educationandwelfareservicesandtheabsenceof physicalinfrastructureselectricity,sewage,roads.205Oneofthesecommunitiesisknownasthe

201

HCJ3930/12,Respondentsresponse,14June2012,paragraph12. HCJ3930/12,Respondentsresponse,14June2012,paragraph13. HCJ3930/12,Respondentsresponse,14June2012,paragraphs68. HCJ3930/12,Decisiondated7August2012.

202

203

204

http://elyon2.court.gov.il/files/12/300/039/T08/12039300.T08.pdf
205

Bimkom,ExpertProfessionalPlanningOpinion,atpp.1316.

56

 KhanalAhmarSchoolcommunity.ItislocatedabouttwokilometerssouthoftheKfarAdumim settlement,andhasaround160residents,abouthalfofthemchildrenlivingin22homes,forallof whichtheCivilAdministrationhasissueddemolitionordersduring2011or2012. AlthoughthemainroadrunsrightnexttoKhanalAhmar,theCivilAdministrationdoesnotpermit directaccessfromtheroadtothevillageandforbidsprivatecarsorpublictransportationfrom stoppingontheshoulderofthenearbyroad.TheCivilAdministrationhasnotbuiltanaccessroadto thevillagenorprovidedabayonthemainroadtherewherevehiclescanstop,andtheresidentsare obligedtotravelonbumpybyroads. Becausetherewasnoschooltherebefore2009,theyoungerchildrenhavebeenforcedtotravelto distantschools;thetransportiscostlyandalso,forsmallchildren,potentiallyunsafe.InJune2009, theItalianaidorganizationVentodiTerrabeganerectingaprimaryschoolatKhanalAhmar,in buildingsmadeofmudandrubbertires.206Amonthlater,theCivilAdministrationissueda demolitionorderforthebuildings,allegedlyduetotheproximitytothemainroad,giventhataplan towidentheroadhasbeenapproved.207 InAugust2009AttorneyShlomoLeckersubmittedaHighCourtpetitiononbehalfoftheresidentsof theKhanalAhmararea,seekingtopreventthedemolitionoftheschool208andInSeptember,about fiftychildrenfromKhanalAhmarandthesurroundingareabeganattendingschoolthere.Thatsame month,thesettlementsofKfarAdumim,AlonandNofeiPratpetitionedtheHighCourt,together withtheRegavimorganization,seekingtohavethedemolitionordersfortheschoolimplemented, alongwiththosefor257otherbuildingsbelongingtoPalestiniansintheareaofthesettlements.209 Inresponsetothevillageresidentspetition,theCivilAdministrationagreednottodemolishthe schoolbeforetheendofthatschoolyearinJune2010,anddeclaredthataspartofitsintended relocationoftheareasresidents,itwouldalsofindasolutionforplanningaschooltoservethem.210
206

Seefurtherontheprojectattheorganizationswebsite,http://www.ventoditerra.org/lascuoladigomme

2/[Italian].
207

CommunicatedinstatesresponsetoHCJ6288/09SlimanAraraetal.v.HeadofCivilAdministrationin

JudeaandSamariaetal.,dated5November2009.[Hebrew]
208

HCJ6288/09,petitiondated4August2009. HCJ7264/09KfarAdumimetal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,Petitiondated10September2009.[Hebrew] HCJ6288/09,Respondentsresponsedated5November2009and23February2010.

209

210

57

 Giventhesedeclarations,thecourtdeniedbothpetitionsinMarch2010.Thecourtdeterminedthat theschoolbuildingswerebuiltonlandcoveredbyanalreadyapprovedplanforwideningtheroads route,andhencenolegaloptionexistedtoauthorizetheirconstruction.JusticeFogelmannotedthat evenifweassumed,forthesakeofdiscussion,andwithoutmakingadeterminationonthisissue, thatthereissubstancetopetitionersargumentthattherespondentsdidnotprovideamasterplan thatwouldenablethemtoreceiveabuildingpermit,thisisinsufficienttoblocktheenforcement procedurestakenagainsttheillegalbuilding.InconsiderationofthefactthattheCivil Administrationagreedtopostponedemolitionoftheschoolanddeclareditsintentiontobegina planningprocessfortheresidents,thejudgesdecidedtodeferthepetition.Thesettlerspetition wasalsodeferred,afterthecourtrefusedtointerveneregardingtheprioritiesofthelaw enforcementagencies.211 TheschoolwasnotdemolishedbytheCivilAdministrationattheendoftheschoolyearinthespring of2010,northefollowingyear.InAugust2011,thesettlersagainpetitionedtheHighCourt,and onceagainsoughttohavetheIDFandtheCivilAdministrationcarryoutthedemolitionorders alreadyissuedfortheschool.212ThelocalPalestinianresidentsalsosubmittedanewHighCourt petition,inNovember2011,viaAttorneyShlomoLecker.Thepetitionerssoughttoholdupthe demolitionoftheschooluntilthefinalizationofthemasterplanforavillagenexttoKhanalAhmar, whereitwouldbepossibletorebuildtheschoollegally.213 Inresponsetothesettlersnewpetition,thestateannouncedinApril2012thattheministerof defensehadorderedthatanalternatesitebefoundfortheKhanalAhmarcommunityandits school.214InSeptember2012thestateannouncedthatforthispurpose,twoalternativesitesinthe JerichoareawerebeingconsideredNuweimaNorthorArmonotHashmonaimandthatthe relocationwouldbecarriedoutthroughaparticipatoryprocessthatwouldincluderepresentatives oftheJahalin.215 Thestateaddedthat,untiltheendofthisprocess,thedemolitionorderswouldnot
211

HCJ6288/09andHCJ7264/09,Verdictdated2March2010.

http://elyon2.court.gov.il/files/09/880/062/M24/09062880.M24.pdf
212

HCJ5665/11KfarAdumimetal.,v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,Petitiondated1August2011. HCJ8615/11Araraetal.v.HeadofCivilAdministrationforJudeaandSamariaetal.,Petitiondated22

213

November2011.
214

HCJ5665/11,Respondentsresponsedated19April2012. HCJ5665/11,Respondentsresponsedated7September2012.

215

58

 becarriedout.Inlightofthestatesannouncement,thecourtdecidednottointervene,and dismissedthepetitions.216Accordingtopressreports,inMay2013theCivilAdministration approvedforfilingforestablishingapermanentcommunityfortheBedouinsoftheNueimeh region,onstatelandsinAreaC.Accordingtothereports,theCivilAdministrationplanstogather intothiscommunityBedouinsfromvarioustribes,wholiveindifferentareasintheWestBank, includingtheareaofMaaleAdumim.217Theplanhasyettobemadepublic.

Testimony of Sarah Abu Dahuk, 40, married mother of seven, resident of Khan alAhmar218

Iamthemotherofsevenboysandgirls.[]MydaughtgerSabrinSabrin,now19,hadtostopgoing toschool.ShewastravelingtoprimaryschoolattheAqbatJaberrefugeecamp,20kilometersfrom here,withherolderbrothersKhamisandSalamehandheryoungerbrotherNaser.Theywentona PalestinianAuthoritybusinthemorning,butsometimesthebusdidnotarrive.Andattheendof theschoolday,thebusdidnotalwayscomebackinourdirection.Inthewinter,SabrinSabrinand herbrothersdidnotgotoschoolbecauseitwasimpossibletorelyonthetransportation.Andwhen thebusdidcome,itwascomplicated,becauseonthesidesofthemainroadneartheencampment, thereisnowheretostop. Weareaconservativesocietyandwewillnotletagirltravelalonewithoutaccompaniment,butI andSabrinsfatherwerealwayseasyinourmindsaboutSabrinbecauseweknewthatherolder brotherswerewithheratschoolandwouldprotecther.Especiallycominghomefromschool,when theywalkedonthesidesoftheroaduntiloneofthecabdriverswouldseethem,feelsorryforthem andstopforthem. AttheschoolinAqbatJaber,theyteachonlythroughtheninthgrade.KhamisandSalamehwenton tostudyattheboysschoolinJerichowhentheyfinishedthatgrade.Sincethen,therewasnolonger anyonetoaccompanySabrintoschool,sowedecidedtoendherstudies.Thiswasapainful decision,becauseSabrinwasanexcellentstudent.Herbrothersalsoaskedtostopstudyingbecause

216

HCJ5665/11andHCJ8615/11,Combinedverdictdated13September2012.

http://elyon1.court.gov.il/files/11/650/056/m18/11056650.m18.htm
217

AmiraHass,It'snotjustsettlerswhoopposeIsrael'splantorelocateBedouininWestBank,Haaretz16 May2013,http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/itsnotjustsettlerswhoopposeisraelsplanto relocatebedouininwestbank.premium1.524176.

218

TestimonybySaraSalemSalehAbuDahouk wasgiventoBTselem

researcherAmerArurion20December2012inthewitnessshome[371940].

59

 itwassohardtogettotheschool.KhamisandSalamehfinishedeleventhgrade,andNaserfinished onlyninthgrade. TheschoolthatwasbuiltatKhanalAhmarisanimportantpartofthelivesoftheresidentsofthe Bedouinencampment.Althoughitonlygoesuptotheseventhgrade,itgivesthechildren,and especiallythegirls,achancetolearn.Thefactthatthereisademolitionorderpendingagainstthe schoolendangerstherightofourchildrentoaneducation.IsntitenoughthatmychildrenKhamis, Salameh,NaserandSabrinleftschoolaftertheyhadnotransportationtoJericho?Nowthese problemsarethreateningtheeducationofmyyoungerchildrenMahmoud,Nisreen andIman. Eveniftheymanagetofinishseventhgradebeforetheschoolisdemolished,theywillfacethesame difficultiesthatinterferedwiththeeducationoftheirolderbrothers.[] IfirstheardabouttheplantorelocatetheBedouinfromthisareafouryearsago,andinrecent monthstheyhavebeentalkingmoreaboutit.Weareacommunitythatmakesitslivingfromraising andgrazinglivestock.Iamafraidthattheywillforciblyevictusandmakeusgosomewherethat doesntsuitourBedouinwayoflife.Iwillnotleavethisplace,despitethehardshipsandthesettlers harassment.IamconnectedtothisplaceandfeelthatIbelongtoit.Ifeelthatmyhomeiswhere mysecuritycomesfrom.Iwasborninthisencampment,andhereIwasmarriedandbrought childrenintotheworld.Ihavebeautifulmemoriesofthisplace.HowcantheIsraeliauthoritieswant metoleavetheencampmentvoluntarily? Twodaysago,alargeforceshoweduphereofborderpolice,regularpoliceandclerksincivilian clothes.Theybargedintomyhouseandmyneighborshousesandwrotedownthenamesofthe familymembers.Whenmyyoungerchildrensawthem,theywereafraidandyoucouldseeit immediatelyontheirfaces.Theyaskedme:Didtheycometokickusout?Thechildren,although young,arealreadyawareofwhatishappeningaroundthem.Itoldthem:Dontworry,yourfather ishere,hewilltalktothemandtheywontkickuout. Sincetheexpulsionplanwasrevived,confrontationswithsettlershavebecomemorecommon.The settlesfromKeidarandMaaleAdumimcomelateatnightandshinesearchlightsatourhousesand attheencampmentandcurseus.Everytimeithappens,Iwakeupinapanic,thinkingtheyhave cometoexpelus.Twodaysago,settlerscameandthrewstonesatourhouses.Wearelivingwith thisanxiety,especiallythechildren,whowokeupscreamingthatrockswerehittingourtinshack. Wedidnotgooutsidetodefendourselvesfromthesettlersbecausetheywerearmedandwould haveseizedonthechancetoattackus.[]Thesettlershurtusduringthenight,sometimesthey

60

 shoutthroughamplifiersandplayloudmusicforawholehour.Itshardtodescribetheanxietythat mychildrenexperience. []Myfamilyhad125headofsheep,andalsocamels.BecauseoftheIsraelirestrictions,thesettler harassmentandtheconfiscationofouranimals,wesoldtheeightcamelswehad,alongwithother animals.Withthemoney,myhusbandboughtatractor,butin2009itwasconfiscatedbecausehe useditforconstructionandfordiggingthefoundationfortheschoolatKhanalAhmar.Andalso,he wasfined17,000shekels[],andnowwereindebt.

Recap on forcible relocation: Expulsions of Bedouin communities to benefit settlers

Afterlegalaction,thethreatofimmediateexpulsionofwholecommunitiestotheAbuDisgarbage dumpreceded;nonetheless,theIsraeliauthoritiesstillrefusetoallowtheseresidentstocontinue livingwheretheyare.Whileplanningtheirrelocationtosomewhereelse,theCivilAdministration doesnotpermitconstructionanddevelopmentwheretheylive,consigningtheresidentstoalimbo ofunderdevelopment,powerlessnessanduncertaintyovertheirfuture. TheCivilAdministrationpresentsitsplansforforcibleresettlementoftheBedouinasifitintended toraisetheirstandardoflivingandofferthemadecentstandardofliving.Meantime,theCivil Administrationdidnotbothertoconsultwiththeresidentsthemselvesanddrafteditsplans unilaterally,dictatingdrasticchangesaffectingtheirwayoflife,theirabilitytoearnalivingandtheir culture. TheCivilAdministrationplantoevacuatetheBedouinfromtheMaaleAdumimareamustbe viewedinthecontextofIsraelsaspirationtoannexthisterritory.Evenbeforethesettlementwas built,IsraeltreatedthelandthatisnowMaaleAdumim,whichisintheWestBank,aspartof Jerusalemregion.MaaleAdumimwasplannedasaJerusalemsuburb,andalongsideittheMishor AdumimindustrialareaandtheAbuDiswastedisposalfacilitywerelocated,bothofthemmainlyto servetheneedsofJerusalem.ThejurisdictionalareaofMaaleAdumimwasexpanded,presentlythe largestsettlementintermsofterritorywiththeobjectiveofcreating,asthetheStateAttorneys OfficetoldtheHighCourtofJusticeconnectingMaaleAdumimtothejurisdictionalareaof Jerusalem[]withaviewtotheimportanceoftheconnectionandurbancontiguitybetweenMaale

61

 AdumimandJerusalem.219Thisurbancontiguityissupposedtocomeaboutviathebuildingplan thatIsraelispromotingforE1,theterritoryofwhichconsistsofthelandaddedtothejurisdictional areaofMaaleAdumim. SeniorgovernmentofficialshavedeclaredthattheyseeMaaleAdumimaspartofIsraelinthe future,too.FormerdefenseministerEhudBarakdeclaredthatMaaleAdumimisaninseparable partofJerusalemandthestateofIsrael,underanyfinalstatusagreement.220PrimeMinister BenjaminNetanyahudescribedMaaleAdumimasanintegralpartofIsraelandIsraelseternal capital,221askingrhetorically:DoesanyonethinkthatMaaleAdumimwillnotbepartofIsrael?222 AndtheplannedrouteoftheSeparationBarrierwillalsoconnectMaaleAdumimwithIsrael,by cuttingoffMaaleAdumimfromthePalestiniansettlementsaroundit. TherelocationoftheBedouinfromthisareawilltransferthemtothePalestiniansideofthe SeparationBarrier,givenitsplannedroute.Thiswillallowforcontinuedbuildinginthesettlements inthearea,evenonlandwhereBedouinarecurrentlyliving,includingE1;bydevelopingthelandin E1,IsraelhopestoconnectMaaleAdumimwithJerusalem.EmptyingMaaleAdumimandenvirons ofitsPalestinianresidentswillfacilitateitsfutureannexationbyIsrael.

219

HCJ3125/98AbdalAzizMuhammadIyadetal.v.CommanderofIDFForcesinJudeaandSamariaetal.,

Respondentsresponsedated3October1999,paragraphs11and28.
220

AmosHarel,Haaretz,Israelinvested200millionshekelsinexpandingMaaleAdumim,31December

2008.http://www.haaretz.com/printedition/news/nis200mspentonnewwbankneighborhood1.269218 NIS200mSpentonNewW.BankNeighborhood.Inthatsamearticle,thereporterquotedsimilarstatements bytheheadsoftheotherlargepartiesatthetime,TzipiLivniandBenjaminNetanyahu.[Hebrew]

221

CommunicagtedinNetanyahusspeechatatreeplantingeventatMaaleAdumim,on24January2010,

http://www.pmo.gov.il/mediacenter/speeches/pages/speechnetiot240110.aspx[Hebrew]
222

RemarksbyPrimeMinisterNetanyahuatanAmbassadorsconferenceattheForeignMinistry,3January

2013, http://www.pmo.gov.il/MediaCenter/Speeches/Pages/speechamba030113.aspx[Hebrew]

62

Chapter IV: The Jordan Valley demolitions, expulsions and stifled development
TheJordanValleyisasparselypopulatedareawithampleemptyspacetoprovidefortheWest Bankspotentialurban,agricultural,andeconomicdevelopment.Israel,however,forbidsthe Palestiniansfrommakinguseofmostofthisterritory,limitstheiraccesstoitsabundantwater resourcesandrefusestodraftplansforthevillagesremaininginAreaC.Moreover,Israelhas declaredmuchofthelandintheJordanValleyamilitaryfiringzoneandispushingthecommunities ofshepherdswholivetheretoleavetheirhomes.

Background the Jordan Valley

TheJordanValleyandnorthernDeadSeacoveranareaofapproximately160,000hectares, comprisingabout28.8percentoftheWestBank.223Ofthetotal,87.5percentoflandsaredefinedas AreaC,comprisingapproximately40percentofAreaC.TherestofthelandintheJordanValleyis containedinenclavesofPalestiniancommunitieslocatedinpartsofAreasAorB,includingthecity ofJerichoandenvirons.224About10,000ofthePalestiniansintheJordanValleyliveinmorethan twentycommunitieslocatedinAreaC.Thisnumberincludesabout2,700peoplewholiveinsmall communitiesofBedouinandshepherds.225 ThroughouttheJordanValleyandthenorthernDeadSeaarea,39Israelisettlementshavebeen establishedtodate,includingnineillegaloutposts.In2011,thesettlerpopulationherewas 10,738.226Themunicipallandallottedtothesettlementsencompassesapproximately12percentof

223

SeesourcesinBTselem,DispossessionandExploitation:IsraelsPolicyintheJordanValleyandNorthern

DeadSea,May2011,p.7,note6.
224

MinistryofAgricultureinthePalestinianAuthorityandPalestinianWaterAuthority,Developmentofthe

PalestinianValleyaplantodevelopwatersourcesinthevalleydistricts,May2010(theoriginalisin ArabiapproximatelyHereinafter:PalestinianAuthority,DevelopmentofthePalestinianValley),pp.1415.
225

PalestinianAuthority,DevelopmentofthePalestinianValleyandOCHA,AreaCCommunityProfiling,a

comprehensivesurveyofallthecommunitiesinAreaCconductedin2010.
226

PeaceNow,ListofSettlementsandOutposts.

http://peacenow.org.il/sites/default/files/settlements%20database%20for%20publication.xls

63

 theareastotal,28timesasmuchasthebuiltupareaofthesesettlements.227Theselandsare surroundingbylandsallocatedtothedistrictcouncilsoftheJordanValley.Alltold,98.5percentof AreaClandswereallottedtolocalordistrictsettlementcouncils.228 IsraelforbidsPalestiniansfromusingmostofthelandintheJordanValleyandnorthernDeadSea, onvariouspretexts:53.4percentoftheareaisdefinedasstateland,someofitlocatedwithinthe boundariesofthirtysettlements(muchotitstillfromthetimeofJordanianrule);45.7percentofthe territoryhasbeendeclaredaclosedmilitaryzone,includingthemunicipallandofthesettlements and11firingzones;Israelhasdesignated26naturepreserves,encompassing20percentoftheland area;inonepercentoftheland,Israelhasplantedminesinthepast.Overall,afteraccountingfor overlapsintheareascited,77.5percentofthelandareaoftheJordanValleyandnorthernDeadSea areprohibitedforusebyPalestinians:theymaynotbepresentintheseareas,buildthere,orgraze theirflocksthere.229

Preventing planning, forbidding construction and demolishing what is built

ThelimitedspaceallowedforPalestinianresidenceintheJordanValleyisdividedintoisolated sections,surroundedbyfiringzones,settlementsandnaturepreserves.Inthevillagesintheseareas includedinAreaC,Israellimitsthepossibilitiesforbuildinganddevelopment,asisitspolicyinthe restoftheWestBank.AmongthemorethantwentyPalestinianpopulationcentersallofwhoseland iswithinAreaCintheJordanValley,Israelhaspreparedmasterplansforonlyonevillage(see below).Intheothervillages,theCivilAdministrationissuesdemolitionordersforthehouses Palestiniansbuildhavingnootheroptionwithoutapermit,andsomeoftheseordersarecarried out.AccordingtothedataBTselemhas,fromthebeginningof2005throughtheendofApril2013, theCivilAdministrationhasdemolishedatleast298dwellingsinPalestiniancommunitiesinthe JordanValleyandanotherunknownnumberofagriculturalstructures.Thehousesdemolishedwere hometo1,837Palestinians,atleast777ofthemchildren.
227

SeeBTselem,DispossessionandExploitation,p.9,note22. Formoreonthetractsoflandofthesettlementsandtheirregionalcouncils,seeBTselem,Dispossession

228

andExploitation,pp.910.
229

Fordetails,seeBTselem,DispossessionandExploitation.

64

 TheonlyvillageintheJordanValleyplannedbyIsraelandwhichislocatedentirelyinAreaCisthe villagealJiftlik,whichin2007had3,700residents.230Thethreeplansapprovedforthevillagein 2005weredraftedwithoutinputfromtheresidentsandtheylimitthebuildinganddevelopmentin alJiftliktoarestrictedarea.Atthetimeoftheirapproval,theboundariesoftheseplansincluded only60percentofthebuiltupareaofthevillage,andleft40percentofthevillagesbuildingsatrisk ofdemolition.Theplannersdidnotearmarkanylandforpublicbuildingsornewpavedroadsand leftnoareaemptyforfutureconstructionanddevelopment.231TAMA50,theregionalmasterplan forroads,wasusedasatooltolimittheareapermittedforbuildingwithintheboundsofthemaster plan:ItdesignatedRoute57,whichisclosetosomeofthebuildingsinalJiftlik,asamajorroute, requiringastrip240meterswideonwhichbuildingisprohibited.Thiswasdespitethefactthat,in practice,itisactuallyanarrowroadwithsparsetraffic.Inconsequence,only59hectaresofthe plansoverallareaof76.1hectaresisavailablefordevelopment,whiletheremainderistakenbythe roaditselfandthewidemarginstoeitherside.Thisisso,evenafterforthepurposeoftheplansthat itpreparedforthevillage,theCivilAdministrationreducedthesectionprohibitedforconstruction onthesidesoftheroadsinsectionsofRoute57. AccordingtoBTselemsdata,since2005theCivilAdministrationhasdemolishedatleast11 residentialbuildingsinalJiftlik,builtbeforethevillagesmasterplanwasdrafted.Thedemolitions made133people,includingatleast50children,homeless.Thelastfiveofthesebuildingswere demolishedon24January2013when34people,18ofthemchildren,wereleftwithoutaroofover theirheads.Inaddition,theheadofthevillagecounciltoldBTselemthattheCivilAdministration hadalsodemolisheddozensofagriculturalstructuresonvillageland.232

230

AsperthePalestinianPopulationCensusofthatyear.PCBS,CensusFinalResultsintheWestBank,2007,

Table26,p.115. http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_PCBS/Downloads/book1487.pdfOn19March2013themediareportedthat theCivilAdministrationintendedtoplanadditionalvillagesinAreaC,includingFasayilandRashayidahinthe JordanValley.Thusfar,amasterplanforthosevillageshasyettobeapproved.SeeChaimLevinson,Haaretz, IsraelwillwhitewashillegalPalestinianconstructioninAreaC,19March2013. http://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/1.1969703[Hebrew]

231

Plansno.1409/05,14010/05,1411/05.SeeBimkom,TheProhibitedZone,pp.9494,122125. CommunicatedtoBTselembyAbdarRahmanIbrahimHusseinQsab,headofthevillagecouncil,on3April

232

2013.

65

 TheCivilAdministrationapprovedaconnectiontotheelectricitygridonlyforthesectionsofthe villageincludedinthemasterplanitprepared,233althoughintheendonlyoneofthethreesections includedintheplanwereactuallyconnectedtoelectricity.234Havingnoalternative,thepeople connectedthewholevillagetothatoneconnection,whichwasnotdesignedtoprovideelectricityto anentirevillage.Consequently,theincomingcurrentisweak,damagingelectricalappliancesand providingonlydimlight.AccordingtoaSeptember2012reportbytheCivilAdministration,aproject tobuildutilityroomsforaconnectiontothegridandchannelelectricitytothevarioussegmentsof thevillage(withfundingfromthePA)isintheplanningphase.235Asof1May2013,therehasbeen noimplementationofthisproject. TheheadofthelocalcouncilnotifiedBTselemthatthevillagewashookeduptothewatersystemin 1984;andeversince,theCivilAdministrationhasrefusedtopermitexpansionofthenetworkfor provisionofmorewatertoservetheentirevillage,althoughintheinterimthenumberofits residencehasdoubled.Theold,narrowwaterpipescannotcarrytherequiredquantityofwaterto allpartsofthevillage,andthereiswaterleakageofabout40percent.236Inconsequence,residents sufferfromawatershortageinthesummertime,andmustpurchasewaterfromcontainers.The villagesrequesttotheCivilAdministrationin2006,seekingapermittobuildareservoir,was denied,onthegroundsthattherequestedlocationisanarcheologicalsite.Aninitiativeofthe HumanitarianAidandCivilProtectionarm(ECHO)oftheEuropeanCommissionaimingtorehabilitee thewatersysteminalJiftlikin2005,wasapprovedbythePalestinianWaterAuthorityandbythe JointIsraeliPalestinianWaterCommittee.Aftermanydelays,theprojectwasdisallowedbytheCivil Administration,onsimilargrounds.237Thisrationalewasalsousedasthebasisforrejectingarequest bythevillagecounciltopavenewstreets,mostofwhich,inthebuiltupareaofthecommunity,are narrowdirtroads.Meanwhile,whentheGermanAgencyforInternationalCooperationin2010 soughttobuildaclinicforthevillage,theCivilAdministrationundertookarcheologicalexcavations
233

Orderconcerninghandlingelectricity(organizingandactions)(JudeaandSamaria)(No.427),1971:

Instructionconcerninghandlingelectricity(Jiftlik)(temporaryorder),5December2006.
234

CommunicatedtoBTselembyAbdarRahmanIbrahimHusseinQsab,headofthevillagecouncil,on3April

2013.
235

COGAT,ProjectsinAreaC,p.29.[Hebrew] WorldBank,TheWaterSector,p.125. WorldBank,TheWaterSector,pp.54,64.AccordingtoAlonCohenLifshitzofBimkom,themasterplansfor

236

237

thevillagedonotincludearcheologicalsites.Communicatedbyemailon4April2013.

66

 atitsownexpense;afterarcheologicalfindingswereunearthedandremovedfromthesite,the buildingoftheclinicwasapproved.238 AnexampleofavillageforwhichtheCivilAdministrationrefusestodraftamasterplanisthevillage ofalAqabahhinthenorthernJordanValley,abouttwokmeastofthevillageofTayasir,whichisin AreaB.AlAqabahhasbeenatthatlocationsincetheearly1900s.AftertheoccupationoftheWest Bank,alargeareainwhichthevillageisalsolocatedwasdeclaredaclosedmilitaryzone,andwithin thevillageitself,militaryexerciseswerefrequentlyconductedthatincludedtheuseoflivefire. Theseexercises,involvingtheclosingofroadsanddestructionofcrops,seriouslydisruptedthe residentsnormalroutine,interferedwiththeirearningaliving,andevenclaimedcasualties.Aftera HighCourtpetitionsubmittedbyACRIin1999,theIDFpromisedthatlivefireexerciseswouldnotbe carriedoutinthevillageandthatsoldierswouldnotmovearoundamongthevillagershouses.239 ResidentsofAlAqabah,some300innumber,liveinhousesbuiltofstonesandtin.TheCivil Administrationhasneverpreparedamasterplanforthevillageand,atthebeginningof2004,issued demolitionordersfor35ofthevillages45buildings,includingmostoftheresidentialstructures,a mosque,akindergarten,aclinic,andtheonlypavedroadinthecommunity.Residentssubmitted petitionstotheHighCourtseekingtovoidthedemolitionordersandforcetheCivilAdministration toprepareamasterplanthatwouldallowbuildinginthevillage.240Inresponsetothepetitions,the CivilAdministrationinAugust2008announcedthatitwoulddelineateanareainthecenterofthe village,whichwouldencompassmostofthepublicbuildingsbutfewerthanhalftheresidential buildings,andwhichitdidnotintendtodemolishatthistime.241Thatsamemonth,thecourt rejectedthepetition,afterfindingthatrevocationofthedemolitionorders,wouldbelikegivingthe

238

COGAT,ProjectsinAreaC,p.41. HCJ3950/99Sabihetal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,Petitiondated14June1999.During2012,these

239

regulationswerebreachedseveraltimes.Formore,seeACRIwebsite, http://www.acri.org.il/he/?p=23578[Hebrew]
240

HCJ143/04,Jabretal.v.StateofIsraeletal.,HCJ8440/04Dabaketal.v.StateofIsraeletal.,Petition

dated7January2004and4September2004,respectively.
241

HCJ143/04,HCJ8440/04,Updatenoticebyrespondentsdated10April2008.Seetheaerialphotographof

thevillageatOCHA,DemolitionsofbuildingsinAreaCduetolackofbuildingpermitsandresulting displacementofresidents,May2008,p.12 http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/Demolitions_in_Area_C_May_2008_Hebrew.pdf[Hebrew]

67

 courtssealofapprovalforbreakingthelaw.242Sincethen,theCivilAdministrationhasdemolished severalbuildingsinthevillagethatwerelocatedoutsidetheareaitdelineated,andinafew instancesalsodemolishedroadsthatthevillagecouncilhadpavedandstreetlightsplacedbythe counciltolighttheaccessroadtothevillage.243 SincetherejectionoftheirHighCourtpetition,thealAqabahresidentssubmittedtotheCivil Administrationseveralrequestsforplanninganddraftmasterplans,butnonewerefound acceptable,onvariousgrounds.InMarch2012,forexample,theCivilAdministrationrejecteda proposedmasterplansubmittedbythevillageonthegroundsthattheareaoftheplanis exaggeratedinproportiontoprojectedgrowththere.Initsdecision,theCivilAdministrationnoted thatthereisnoneedtoestablishanewplanningentityinafiringzone,whennearby,inAreaB,is thevillageofTayasir,andthemasterplanforwhichhasnotyetfullyutilizeditsbuildingpotential. TheCivilAdministrationexpressedafearthatthemainaimoftheplan[]istheretroactive approvalofillegalbuildingcarriedoutthereovertheyears.244Later,theCivilAdministrationnoted thatbecauseKhirbetalAqabahislocatedinaclosedzone(afiringzone),prospectsforapprovalof theplanatthispointarepoor.245InJuly2012,theCivilAdministrationissuednewdemolition ordersforseveralbuildingsinthevillage,someofthemresidential.Theresidentsagainpetitioned theHighCourtseekingtohavetheordersreversed,andthecourtissuedaninterimorderthatthe demolitionsnotbecarriedout,subjecttoafreezeoftheexistingsituationinthefieldfromthe standpointofconstructionandofpopulation.246Thusfar,deliberationsonthepetitionhaveyetto takeplace.

242

HCJ143/04,HCJ8440/04,Verdictdated17April2008.

http://elyon1.court.gov.il/files/04/430/001/o14/04001430.o14.htm[Hebrew]
243

CommunicatedtoBTselembytheheadofthealAqabahvillagecouncil,SamiSadekMahmoudSubuh,on

27December2012.
244

CivilAdministration,SupremePlanningCouncil,SubcommitteeforPlanningandLicensing,Protocolno.4/12

dated21March2012.
245

Letterfrom1stLt.BarAkukaoftheofficeoftheheadoftheCivilAdministration,toAttorneyRaghadJaraisy

ofACRIdated 13August2012. http://www.acri.org.il/he/wpcontent/uploads/2012/09/alaqaba130812.pdf[Hebrew]

246

HCJ5043/12Jabretal.v.SubcommitteeforSupervisionofBuildinginJudeaandSamariaetal.,Decision

of4July2012.http://elyon2.court.gov.il/files/12/430/050/V02/12050430.V02.pdf

68

Robbed of their water

TheJordanValleyisoneofthemostabundantareasintheWestBankintermsofwaterresources. Israeltookovermostofthesesourcesofwater,andthedrillingitconductsisreducingthevolumeof waterthatthePalestinianscandrawfromtheirwellswhilealsoharmingitsquality,anddepleting naturalspringsandwellsthroughouttheJordanValley.247Inaddition,IsraeldeniesPalestinians accesstospringsoutsidetheboundariesoftheircommunities.248 OfthetotalvolumeofwateritdrawsfromtheJordanValley,Israelallotsabout80percentofitfor useinIsraelandtheIsraelisettlements.249Thesettlersenjoyseveraltimesthevolumeofwaterwith whichtheirPalestinianneighborsmustmakedo:In2011,householdwaterconsumptioninthe JordanValleysettlementswasapproximately450litersperpersonperday,250whereasfor PalestiniansinthecentralJordanValley,theaveragewaterconsumptionin2009wasaroundsixty litersperpersonperday.251TheWorldHealthOrganizationrecommendsahundredlitersperperson perday. TheCivilAdministrationhasavoidedmakingimprovementstothewatersourcesthatserve Palestinians,andissuesdemolitionorderswhentheresidentsdoitthemselves.InthealMaliharea, forexample,therearespringsthattheresidentsusetowatertheirflocks.Overtheyears,thestone banksaroundthespringhavedeteriorated,fillingwithrefuseandthreateningtopollutethewater. Attherequestofthevillagecouncil,UNICEFrehabilitatedthespringsinJanuaryandFebruaryof
247

SeeWorldBank,TheWaterSector,p.12. Fordetails,seeBTselem,DispossessionandExploitation,pp.1721. UNHRC,ReportoftheindependentInternationalFactFindingMissiontoinvestigatetheimplicationsof

248

249

theIsraelisettlementsonthecivil,political,economic,socialandculturalrightsofthePalestinianpeople throughouttheOccupiedPalestinianTerritory,includingEastJerusalem,7February2013,p.17. http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session22/AHRC2263_en.pdf

250

ThedataisbasedontheannualcompendiumbyIsraelWaterAuthority,WaterAllocationsthroughtheend

of2011,February2012:http://www.water.gov.il/Hebrew/ProfessionalInfoAndData/AllocationConsumption andproduction/DocLib/wateraloocationend2011.pdfandonPeaceNow,ListofSettlementsandOutposts (seenoteno.??).Theallocationofwaterforhouseholdneedsin2012tothesettlementsintheJordanValley were40percenthigherthanin2011,withoutaparallelrisehavingoccurredinthepopulationfiguresinthese settlements.SeeIsraelWaterAuthority,WaterAllocationsthroughtheendof2012,March2013.

251

PalestinianAuthority,DevelopmentofthePalestinianValley,p.1415.

69

 2012.InAprilofthatyear,theCivilAdministrationissueddemolitionordersfortherenovated springs.ThevillagecouncilpetitiontheHighCourtagainsttheseordersandthecourtissuedan interimorderforbiddingdemolitionpendingarulinginthecase.252Thestatehasyettosubmitits responsetothepetition. ThePalestiniancommunitiesintheJordanValley,whicharepreventedbytheCivilAdministration fromplanningandconstructionlegally,generallyhavenoconnectiontothewatersystem.TheCivil AdministrationhasrejectedademandbytheAssociationforCivilRightstoconnectthevillageofal Aqabahtothewatersystem,onthegroundsthatitcannotconnectthevillagetothesystemwithout anapprovedmasterplanforthevillage.253Theresidentsofthesecommunitiesaredependenton sparserainwater,whichtheycollectincisterns,andonpurchasedwaterincontainersfromprivate contractorswhosepricesarearound25shekelspercubicmeter,onaverage.Theaveragewater consumptioninthesecommunitiesinalAqabah,alHadidiya,alFarisiyah,forexampleisonly twentylitersperpersonperday.254ThevillageofalHadidiyaiscutofffromanyregularwater supply,despiteitsproximitytoaMekorotwatercompanypump(Biqot2),whichprovideswaterto thenearbysettlementsofRoiandBqaot.Theperdiemallotmentofwaterperpersoninthese settlements,forhouseholduseonly,isover460litersatleast23timestheconsumptionofwater inalHadidiya.255 Villageresidentswhoearntheirlivingasshepherdsmovearoundwiththeirflocksamongbroad grazingareaswheretherearenowatersources.Towatertheanimals,theygenerallytransportlarge containersofwatertothegrazingareas.TestimonygiventoBTselemshowsthatinrecentyears duringthesummertime,theCivilAdministrationhasconfiscatedthesetypesofwatercontainers, eachofwhichcostsnearly300NIS,allegingthattheywereplacedinfiringzones.Residentshave

252

HCJ3278/12WadialMalihVillageCounciletal.v.CommanderofIDFForcesintheWestBanketal.,

Petitiondated25April2012,Decisiondated24May2012.
253

Letterfrom1stLt.BarAkukaoftheofficeoftheheadoftheCivilAdministration,toAttorneyRghadGeraisy

ofACRI,dated13August2012.
254

PalestinianAuthority,DevelopmentofthePalestinianValley,pp.1415. IsraelWaterAuthority,WaterAllocationsannual.

255

70

 reportedthatofficialIsraelirepresentativesdumpedthecontentsofthecontainerspriorto removingthem.256
Testimony of Salem Abu Wadi, a farmer, 63, married father of 15, of alJiftlik257

Ihavemorethan250headofsheepandIalsogrowvegetables,wheatandbarley.Thereare17 peopleinourfamilyandweallmakeourlivingfromthiswork.Theflockmainlydependsongrazing inthe[Jordan]Valleyandwithoutthesegrazingareas,wecouldnotmaintaintheanimals.Feedis veryexpensiveandthepricesformilkarenotencouraging.Theproductsweproducefromourwork andfromthegrazingbarelycoverthecosts.[] Mychildrenroamwiththeflockfromplacetoplace,dependingontheweatherandthequantityof weeds.Duringthesummer,theyliveinthevalleyplain,northofalJiftlik,wherethereareextensive areasforgrazingandtheweatheriscomfortablecomparedwithalJiftlik.Inthesummertimethe militaryintensifiesitspursuitoftheshepherds:Aboutamonthago,themilitaryconfiscateda donkeyfromusandtheyarestillkeepingitneartheAdambridge(overtheJordanRiverinthe centralvalley).Plus,theyconfiscatedsomeofourwatercontainers,sothechildrenbeganhiding themunderatreeintheravine,andmovingthetractorfarawayfromtheareasotheywontfindit. ThismorningmysonYassercalledme.HetoldmethatthemilitaryandtheCivilAdministrationhad startedacampaignofconfiscatingwatercontainersinthearea.Laterhetoldmethatthesoldiers hadtakenmysonswatertank,emptiedthewateroutofitandoutoffourbarrels,tiedthe containertoa4X4vehicleanddraggeditaway.Thesheepwereleftwithoutanywater. Now250headofsheepareindangerofdeath,becausetheycantsurvivewithoutwater.[]Iam tryingtothinkhowtogetsomewatertothearea,becauseifIdontfindasolution,Iwillsufferbig lossesandpossiblyhavetodowithoutalargepartoftheflock.Eventhoughthisisarealistic possibility,Icantimaginedoingthat.Iwasbornintoashepherdingfamily,andmychildrenworkin agricultureandinherding,andtheycantworkatanythingelse.Mostofthemhavenoeducation andlettinggoofthesheepwouldmeanruination.Ihopethatwewonthavetodothat.

SeeAmnestyInternational,TroubledWatersPalestiniansDeniedFairAccesstoWater,October2009,pp. 4548,http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE15/027/2009/en/e9892ce47fba469b96b9 c1e1084c620c/mde150272009en.pdf.

257 256

TestimonyofSalemMuharebSuleimanAbuWadiwasgiventoBTselemresearcherAtefAbuaRubon4

September2012inalJiftlik.

71

Damage to agriculture
TheJordanValleyregionissuitableforagricultureduetoitsfertilesoil,diversewatersourcesand hightemperatures;theamplesunshineandlowhumiditycontributetoprotectingthecropsfrom diseases.258ThePalestinianshaveahardtimedevelopingthissector,however,duetotheIsraeli prohibitionontheiruseofmostofthelandinthearea,diminishedaccesstowatersourcesand restrictionsonbuildingandonconnectingtoinfrastructure.259Thisrealitymakesfarmingmore costly,limitstherangeofcropsthatcanberaisedandputsthePalestiniansagriculturalsectorata disadvantageascomparedwiththatofthesettlements.Underthesecircumstances,despiteits substantialagriculturalpotential,theJordanValleyfarmlandistheleastcultivatedfarmlandinthe WestBank:260ThePalestinianMinistryofAgricultureestimatesthatPalestiniansintheJordanValley currentlycultivateonly5,000hectares,aneighthofthearablelandintheValley.261 TheCivilAdministrationmountsobstacleseventosmallagriculturalprojects.Byvariousmeans,such asthroughtheprohibitiononcultivatingstatelandorlandinclosedmilitaryzones,theCivil AdministrationprohibitsPalestinianfarmersanddevelopers,includingthosewholiveinAreasAor B,frompursuingagriculturalprojectsintheJordanValleyandcreatingjobs.

258

AgricultureandAgriculturalResearch,JordanValleyTourismwebsite.

http://www.bikathayarden.co.il/%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%AA%D7%99%D7%93 %D7%94%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A7%D7%97%D7%A7%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%95%D7%AA %D7%95%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%97%D7%A7%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%99[Hebrew] ThereisashorteroverviewinEnglishat: http://www.bikathayarden.co.il/english

259

ItzhakGal,AdiAshkenazi,SaebBamya&ShawqiMakhtoob,"TheEconomicDevelopmentoftheJordan

Valley",inArieArnonandSaebBamya(eds.)EconomicDimensionsofaTwoStateAgreementBetweenIsrael andPalestine,VolumeIISupplementaryPapers,AixGroup,p.236(hereinafter:Galetal.,JordanValley EconomicDevelopment). http://www.upsite.co.il/uploaded/files/1339_a6feca2ad988b37af50c3cde9029952e.pdf

260

Galetal.,JordanValleyEconomicDevelopment,p.225. PalestinianAuthority,DevelopmentofthePalestinianValley,p.16.RegardingJordanValleyagricultural

261

developmentbytheareassettlements,seebelow,p.?.

72


Testimony of Abd aNasser Abd aRazeq, a farmer, 47, of alFarah Refugee Camp262

Iwasbornintoanagriculturalfamilywhosefarmingisbasedonirrigation.Initiallyouragricultural cropsweremostlyinthealFaraharea.Overtheyears,IandmybrotherAbdalHakimexpanded thescopeofourworkandbroughtinnewfarmequipment.[]Wegainedexperience,developed tools,andthedemandforourproductsinthemarketgrew.During2008and2009,wethought aboutexpandingsomemoreandworkingtensofhectares.Afterawhile,weidentifiedan appropriatelocationforourpurposesattheAtufplateau,whichisalsoknownasthealBaqiyah plateau.ItextendsfromTammunwestwardtoRoute90andincludesmorethan7,000hectares appropriateforcultivation.In2010webegangrowingcropsthereonanareaof70hectares,for whichwepaidamonthlyfeetothelandownersfromTamunandTubasintheamountof250dinars [about1,300shekels].Duetotheshortageofwater,weconnectedwaterpipestothefields, includingauxiliarypipesthatreachalltheplots.ThecostperkilometerofpipeisaboutNIS100,000, andweboughtpipesfor25km. WhilewewerelayingthewaterpipesinOctober2010,CivilAdministrationpatrolsappeared, accompaniedbypeoplefromtheplanningcommittee.Theyconfiscatedourweldinganddigging equipmentandatractor.Theyalsoarrestedthelaborersworkingontheprojectallegingthatwork inthisarearequiresworkpermitsbecauseitsaclosedmilitaryarea.Allthiswithoutanyadvance noticeorwarning. Aweeklater,wecontactedanattorney,TawfiqJabarinandsubmittedacomplaint,attemptingto regaintheconfiscatedequipment.InMarch2011,wepaidNIS17,000tocoverthemilitaryscosts formaintainingtheequipmentandforreturningtheequipmenttheygavebacktous.Wealso receivedademolitionorderfortheexistingwaterpipes.Thenonthelanditselfwediscovereda noticesayingthatthelandwasamilitaryareaandthatlayingwaterpipesrequiresapermitfrom BeitEl.Weturnedthematterovertotheattorneytodealwith,andhereceivedaninterimorder freezingthedemolitionofthewaterpipes. Nowweareworking170hectaresthatwehaveleasedfromthelandowners.Theprojectprovides hundredsofseasonaljobs.Forexample,duringcucumberseason,therearearoundtwohundred familiesintheareaworkinginexchangeforsomeoftheproduce.Wealsohave15permanent workersyearroundandsomewhoworkonandoff,inseason.Thevolumeofwagesfortheworkers isoverfourmillionshekelsayear.[]Inaddition,weleasetransportservicesfortheproduce.Allof
262

TestimonybyAbdaNasserMustafaMuhammadAbdaRazeqwasgivenon3February2013toBTselem

researcherAtefAbuaRubatMishorelBiqa.[372916]

73

 thiscomprisesasourceofincomeforhundredsofworkers,andisespeciallyimportantinarealityin whichjobsaredisappearingandlivingconditionsaredifficult. Ourcaseisstillincourtandwearedoingeverythingpossibletoreceivepermits,butweareafraid thatthecourtwilldecideagainstusintheend.Weareveryworriedandcannotcontinuewith developmentoftheproject.Animportantpartofourprojectwastoputuphothousestoraise medicinalherbsandgrowtrees,butbecauseofourconcernsabouttheauthorities,wehavenot doneso. IfwegetpermitsfromtheIsraeliauthorities,wewillbeabletoemployanother15permanent workersandaroundthirtyfamiliesseasonally.Wehopethatthecourtwillruleinfavorofthe projectbecauseitwillleadtocreatingjobsandassurecontinuationoftheprojectanditssuccess.If thedecisionisnegative,itwillthreatenallourachievements.

Shepherding communities being pushed out of firing zones

Some2,700peopleliveinapproximatelytwentyshepherdingcommunitiesintheJordanValleyin areasdeclaredbythemilitarytobefiringzones,orontheperipheryofthoseareas.Somewere livingtherebeforethelandwasdeclaredaclosedzoneinthe1970s.In2009decadesafterthe firingzoneswereoriginallydeclaredthemilitaryplacedcementslabsneareachofthese communitiesandpostednoticesstatingthattheareawasafiringzoneandthatentrywas prohibited.BasedontestimonyprovidedbyresidentsofthesecommunitiestoBTselem,inthe zoneswheretheyhavebeenliving,therehavebeennoexercisesconductedforyears.263 FromIsraelsstandpoint,thesecommunities,someofthemBedouin,arelivingintheirhomes illegallyandtheCivilAdministrationisworkinginvariouswaystopreventthemfromremaining thereandusingtheland.InJune2012,theCivilAdministrationnotifiedtheHighCourtthatit intendedtoevacuateBedouincommunitiesfromvariouspartsoftheWestBanktopermanent sites,wherepermanenthousingwouldbebuiltandconnectedtoinfrastructure.Thisprogramalso
263

SeeBTselemwebsite,12August2010:CivilAdministrationdemolishesBedouinvillageofalFarisiyah,in

theJordanValley: http://www.BTselemBtselem.org/hebrew/planning_and_building/20100812_whole_village_demolished_in_j ordan_valley

74

 includesevacuationoftheBedouinintheJordanValleytotwositesinthevicinityofFasayilinthe centralJordanValley,twointheNuweimaareanorthofJerichoandtwoothersitesnorthof Jericho.264 TheCivilAdministrationsconductvisvisthevillagesofKhirbetTana,alFarisiyahandHamamal MalehaelspolicyintheJordanValleyregion.InKhirbetTana,eastofBeitFurik,about300residents liveincaves,tents,andbothtemporaryandpermanentstructures.Thiscommunityhasbeeninthe areafordecadesandthepeoplemaketheirlivingfromfarmingandfromherdingsheepandcows. Duringthe1960s,theareaonwhichthevillagesitswasdeclaredaclosedmilitaryzone,atatime whensomeoftheresidentswerealreadylivingthere.265TheCivilAdministrationdoesnotrecognize KhirbetTanaasavillageworthplanningandprohibitsconstructionthere.Thecommunityisnot connectedtowaterorelectricityanditsresidentsusetwolocalspringsforwater. InJuly2005,whileKhirbetTanaresidentsweretemporarilystayingatagriculturallandatBeitFurik, theCivilAdministrationdemolishednearlyallthebuildingsinthevillageandlockedtheopeningsto thecavesusedbytheresidents.Thedemolishedbuildingswereallegedtohavebeenbuiltwithout permitsinafiringzone,althoughatthatsametimethefiringzonehadbeeninactiveforatleast15 years.Villageresidentsrebuilttheirhomes,andattheendofthatyearpetitionedtheHighCourt seekingtohavetheCivilAdministrationpreparethemamasterplanandrefrainfromdemolishing theirhomes.266 Initsresponsetothepetition,thestateannouncedthattheplanningauthoritieshaddecidednotto draftplansforKhirbetTana,giventhatthecluster[ofhomes]islocatedonthegroundsofan archeologicalsiteandinthemiddleofopenspacedesignatedasagriculturallandintherelevant

264

HCJ3930/12Araraetal.v.HeadofCivilAdministrationforJudeaandSamaria,Respondentsresponse

dated14June2012atparagraphs1213.Inthisresponse,namesofthecommunitiesarenotspecified.See belowconcerningevacuationofBedouinfromtheMaaleAdumimareainaccordancewiththisplan,atp.??.
265

FiringZone904.SeeOCHA,KhirbetTana:Largescaledemolitionsforthethirdtimeinjustoverayear,

February2011. http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_khirbet_tana_fact_sheet_20110210_english.pdf; HCJ11258/05Hannietal.v.SubcomitteeforSupervisionofBuildingetal.,Petitiondated14December2005. http://www.acri.org.il/he/wpcontent/uploads/2012/06/hit11258.pdf

266

HCJ11258/05Hannietal.v.SubcomitteeforSupervisionofBuildingetal.,Petitiondated14December

2005.ThePetitionwasthroughACRIandRabbisforHumanRights. http://www.acri.org.il/he/wpcontent/uploads/2012/06/hit11258.pdf

75

 [Mandateera]masterplan,andinlightoftheextensivelandreservesforthevillageofBeitFurik.267 ThestatesaidfurtherthattheresidentsinanycaseresidepermanentlyinBeitFurik,inAreaB,and stayatKhirbetTanaonlyseasonally. InJanuary2009,thejudgesrejectedthepetitionandacceptedthestatesposition.268Sincethen,the CivilAdministrationhasdemolishedbuildingsinthevillagefivetimes.ThelasttimewasinMarch 2011,whentheCivilAdministrationdemolishedall46structuresinthevillage,includingeight ancientcavesusedasdwellingsandforraisinglivestock,alongwithwatercisterns.The152residents ofthevillage,including64children,wereleftwithoutaroofovertheirheads.Apartfromafew caves,onlythemosquewasleftstanding,inanOttomanerastructurebuiltmorethanahundred yearsago.269Aftereachroundofdemolitions,theresidentsreturnedandbuilttheirhomesagain. Followingthelatestdemolitioncampaign,theresidentsofKhirbetTanaagainpetitionedtheHigh Courtagainstthedemolitionofthevillageandtheexpulsionofitsresidents.270Thecourtissuedan interimorderprohibitingtheauthoritiesfromdemolishingbuildingsuntilarulingismadeonthe petition,onconditionthatthesituationonthegroundbefrozen.271Respondingtothepetition, thestatereiterateditsoppositiontodraftingplansforthesite,addingthatbeginningshortly,and overthenextfewmonths,inthefiringzoneinwhichthevillageislocated,therewouldbea comprehensiveseriesoftrainingexercisesforIDFforcestoincludetheuseoflivefire.272In NovemberDecember2012,theIsraeliarmycommencedtraininginKhirbetTana,forthefirsttimein years,andfourtimesorderedtheevacuationoftheresidents,fortwodayseachtime.Thepetitionis stillpending.

267

HCJ11258/05,Respondentsresponsedated27November2008,paragraph45. HCJ11258/05Hannietal.v.SubcomitteeforSupervisionofBuildingetal.,Verdictdated26January2009. SeeOCHA,ProtectionofCiviliansWeeklyReport,1622February2011,p.2

268

269

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_report_2011_02_25_english. pdf
270

HCJ1850/11Hatatbaetal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,Petitiondated7March2011. HCJ1850/11,Decisiondated7March2011.

271

http://elyon2.court.gov.il/files/11/500/018/E01/11018500.E01.pdf
272

HCJ1850/11,Respondentssupplementaryresponsedated6November2012,paragraph6.

76

 InthevillageofalFarisiyahinthenorthernJordanValley,morethantwohundredresidentslivein tentsandtinshacks,earningtheirlivingfromgrazingtheir3,000headofsheepandfromfarming. ThevillageisnotconnectedtowaterorelectricityanditschildrenattendschoolinEinalBeida,a fivekilometerwalkeachway.InJune2010,theCivilAdministrationconveyednoticestothe residents,instructingthemtoevacuatethevillagewithin24hours,becauseitisaclosedmilitary zone.273Accordingtotheresidents,themilitaryhasneverconductedtrainingexercisesthere.274The residentsremainedintheirvillage. On19July2010,theCivilAdministrationdemolished26residentialtentsandhutsinalFarisiyah, alongwithdozensofsheeppens,kitchens,watercontainers,toiletstalls,irrigationlinesandfarm buildings,includingapackinghouseestablished23yearspreviouslytogetherwiththeIsraeliexport companyAgrexco,afacilitythatatthetimeofitsdemolitionwasbeingusedforagriculturalstorage. Atleast107people,including52children,wereleftwithoutprotectionfromtheJulysun,atatime ofyearwhenJordanValleytemperaturescangoashighas50degreesCentigradeintheshade.On5 August2010,theCivilAdministrationreturnedtothevillageanddestroyed27temporarytents providedbytheRedCrossandthePAtoresidentswhohadbeenleftwithoutshelter. InSeptember,theresidentspetitionedtheHighCourtseekingtoavoidexpulsionandhavethecourt voidthenoticethattheywerelivinginafiringzone.275Respondingtothepetition,thestateargued thatthesitewasnotcontinuouslyinhabitedandthatmilitaryexerciseswerefrequentlyconducted there,includingtrainingwithlivefire.Thestatefurtherarguedthattherewerevillagesnearbyfor whichithaddoneplanninginordertomeettheneedsoftheareaspopulation,designatedAreaB (BardalahandEinalBeida).276TheresidentsofalFarisiyahopposedmovingtothesevillages,and theirattorneysoughttohavetheCivilAdministrationallocatestatelandfortheircommunity.The CivilAdministrationsuggestedlandinAreaC,southofBardla.Residentsofthevillageandtheir attorneyarestilllookingintothisproposal.
273

Firingzone900,undertheOrderforclosureofterritories(900911)(No.496)dated25December1972. SeeBTselemwebsite,12August2010:CivilAdministrationdemolishesBedouinvillageofalFarisiyah,in

274

theJordanValley: http://www.btselem.org/planning_and_building/20100812_whole_village_demolished_in_jordan_valley
275

HCJ6612/10Dababatetal.v.CommanderofIDFForcesintheWestBanketal.,Petitiondated12

September2010.
276

HCJ6612/10,Respondentsresponsedated26July2011.

77

 On17January2013,veryearlyinthemorning,demolitionswerecarriedoutincommunitiesabout eightkmwestofTayasir,neartheBedouinspringsofalMalehandRoute4799whichrunsbetween TayasirandtheJordanValleyRoad(Route90).Theresidentshavelivedtheresincethe1970sinthe communitiesknownasHamamalMalehandEinalMitaandinotherencampmentsinthearea. ThesecommunitiesaresittingonlandownedbytheLatinPatriarchate,whichholdssome2,000 hectaresinthenorthernJordanValley.InHamamalMalehsomeofthebuildingsdatetothe Ottomanera,andtherearewateringplacesthathadbeeninuseuntiltheWadialMalehstream driedout,inthewakeofdrillingintheareabyIsraelaftertheoccupationbeganin1967.Some220 residentsoftheareamaketheirlivingbyherdingsheepandtheylivemostlyintinshacks,whichare notconnectedtowater,electricityortelephonelines.Alongtheperipheryoftheirresidences,south andnorthoftheroad,areextensiveterritoriesthattheIsraelimilitaryhasproclaimedafiring zone.277Someofthestructuresbuiltbytheresidentsareinthatzone.Overtheyears,theCivil Administrationissuedevacuationordersanddemolitionordersanddemolishedstructuresbelonging tothecommunitysresidents. ThemilitaryandrepresentativesoftheCivilAdministrationcameonthatdaytothealMaleharea. Usingbulldozers,themilitarydestroyedthetents,theresidentialstructures,thesheeppensand feedstores.Whenthedemolitionswerecompleted,thebulldozersshoveledtheearthoverthe debris.Allinall,22residentialstructuresandsheeppensweredestroyed;63peoplewereleft homeless,including33children.Overthecourseoftheday,theRedCrossprovidedtents, mattresses,blanketsandkitchenutensilsfortheresidentsleftwithoutshelter.Theresidentssetup thetentsandbeganrestoringthepensfortheirflocks.Twodayslater,themilitaryforcesreturned, toreoutthetentsandsheltersandconfiscatedthemalongwiththeotherequipmenttheRedCross hadprovided.278SixofthefamilieswhosetentshadbeendestroyedrelocatedfromHamamal
277

Orderandclosingofterritoriesno.496dated25December1972(FiringZonesnos.900901). ForadditionalcasesoftheconfiscationoftentsafterhomedemolitionsbytheCivilAdministration,see

278

above,onFarisiyah,atp.?.Similarly,on19March2011,theCivilAdministrationconfiscatedashipmentof tentsbytheUNHumanitarianEmergencyFund,intendedfor15familiesinKhirbetaRahwaintheHebron area,whohadlosttheirhomesthroughdemolitionsinFebruary.SeeOCHA,HumanitarianMonitor,March 2012,p.6. http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2011_04_23_english.pdf;On19 April2012,theIsraeliauthoritiesconfiscatedsixtentsprovidedbytheRedCrosstofamilieswhosehomeshad beendemolishedintheBedouincommunityofKhleila,nearJerusalem.SeeOCHA,ProtectionofCivilians WeeklyReport,1824April2012.UnabletoverifyKhleila:

78

 MalehtothevicinityofEinMita,andfiveotherfamilieswentelsewhereinHamamalMalehor Karbata.279On23April2013,thebulldozersreturnedanddestroyedthetentsoftwofamilieswhose tentshadalreadybeendestroyedinJanuary.

Testimony of Qasem Daraghma, a shepherd, 65, father of 4, of Hamam alMaleh280

WhentheJordanValleywasoccupied,wewerelivinginthemountainsacrossfromHamamal Maleh,wherethereisplentifulgrazingoveralargearea.Theoccupationforcestriedtorelocateme andotherpeoplefromthearea,andtheyevenarrestedme.Oncetheyputmeinahelicopter, roundedupthesheep,killedafewofthemandleviedfinesonme.[] OnThursday,17January2013,Iwasaloneathome,andforcesofthemilitaryandtheCivil AdministrationcametoHamamalMalehwithbulldozers.Usingthebulldozers,theydestroyedmy house[]andalsothepensforthesheep,andaftertheyleftthescene,itlookedliketherehad beenanearthquake. Afterthemilitaryleft,Iandmychildrenrebuiltthetemporarysheeppensfromthedebris,andgot somebarbedwirefromrelatives.Wedidthisimmediatelybecauseitsimpossibletoleavethesheep intheopen,especiallyatnight,withoutprotectingthemfromwildanimalsinthevicinity. Duringtheafternoon,peoplefrominternationalorganizationscameincarsfromtheTubasdistrict toestimatethedamages.Atsunset,theRedCrossbroughtustentstolivein.Wepitchedthetents andsleptinthemthatnight.TheRedCrossalsobroughtuscleaningmaterials,kitchenutensilsanda fewmattressesandblankets. OnThursdayevening,themilitarycameandphotographedtheplaceandthetents.Earlythenext morning,amilitaryforcearrived,andalotofmotorizedequipment,asifitwereawarorabig exercise.Theygotoutoftheirvehicles,spreadouteverywhichwayandtoldustogetoutofthe house.TheytookaparttheRedCrosstentsandtheanimalpensweputup,andgatheredallthetent
http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_report_2012_04_27_english. pdf
279

CommunicatedtoAtefAbuaRubofBTselembyArefMahamidDagharmah,headoftheVillageCouncilfor

alMalehandtheencampments,inameetingon2April2013.
280

TestimonyofQasemHusseinQasemDaraghmahgiventoBTselemresearcherAtefAbuaRubon19

January2013atHamamatalMaleh.[372483]

79

 polesandtheheavytentfabricandpileditontheroad.Abigtruckcameatmiddayandthesoldiers loadedeverythingonit. Now,asyousee,wearesittingonthegroundanddontknowwhatwillhappentousorhowwewill manage.Wehavenowhereelse.Tonight,withmysons,Iwillguardthesheepandtrytosetupmy homeagain.Iwillleavethisplaceonlyasacorpseoriftheytakemebyforce.IamaJordanValley nativeandIliveonlyhere.IpraytoGodthatIlldiehere. Beginninginthesummerof2012,themilitaryfromtimetotimeorderedthetemporaryevacuation ofthecommunitieslocatedintheareasdeclaredafiringzone,allegingthatthiswasnecessaryso theycouldconductexercises. Theordersrequiredtheresidentstoleavetheirhomesforperiods rangingfromafewhourstotwodaysandstatedthat,iftheydidnotdoso,theywouldbeforcibly removed,theirlivestockwouldbeexpropriated,andtheywouldbebilledforthecostofthe evacuation. InsomecasesdocumentedbyBTselem,thewarningabouttheevacuationwas conveyedtotheresidentsonlyorally.Ineachsuchevacuation,thefamilieshadtotakewiththem theirmattressesandblanketsandfoodandwaterforthemselvesandtheirlivestock,leavetheir homeswiththeirchildrenandflocksandfindthemselvesaplaceofrefugefromtheweather.In somecasesthemilitarytrainingsessionsdamagedcultivatedfieldsbelongingtothelocalresidents. UntiltheendofApril2013,therewereatleastsuchinstances.Thecommunitiesthusharmed includeHamamalMaleh,alBurj,EinalMita,KhirbetRasalAhmar,Ibziq,KhirbetTana,al Hadidiyah,KhirbetYarza,EinalHilwehandSamra.281 Testimony of Rihab alHarub, 36, married mother of five, and a resident of Ibziq282 InNovember2012,Idontknowtheexactdate,themilitarycameandtoldustoevacuatethearea andourhouseandtotakethesheepwithus.Itwasarainyday.Ididnotsendthechildrentoschool. IandmychildrenandmyotherfamilymemberswenttothehomeofAbuMahmudSuaftawholives
281

Seeforexample,OCHA,ProtectionofCiviliansWeeklyReport,1622January2013;19December2012

1January2013;26February4March2013;5January11March,2013,1218March2013. and
282

TestimonyofRihabFawziHassanalHarubwasgiventoBTselemresearcherAtefAbuaRubon16January

2013inIbzik.[372438]

80

 threekilometersfromourhouseandwesleptthere,andtheanimalsremainedoutintheopen.It wasahardday.Therewasntenoughroomforallofusandwecouldntfeelcomfortablein someoneelseshouseeveniftheyweregenerous.AllthetimeIwasthinkingaboutthesheepand feltthatthisdaywasthelongestdayinmylife.Thenextdaywewentbackhomearound10:00in themorning.Istartedthedaybypreparingfoodforthechildrenanddryingoutthehousefromall thewaterthathadleakedin.Thiswasahardday,likethedayofthedemolition. On3January2013,theyagainevacuatedusforonedayduringthedaytime,sotheycouldconduct trainingexercises.Igotreadyaheadoftimeandbakedbreadthedaybefore.Igotupwiththe childrenat1:00inthemorning,wemilkedtheanimalsandpreparedcheese.Myhusbandputupa tentinadifferentplace,farfromthetrainingexercises,andsetupapentoprotectthesheep. Around6:00inthemorning,amilitaryforcecameandorderedpeopletoevacuate.Westayedinthe house.At8:00inthemorningtheyagainorderedustoevacuateandwedid.Wetookbread,cheese, tomatoesandcucumberstoprepareamealforthatday.Weleftallourbelongingsinthehouse.We stayedwheretheytookusuntil2:00intheafternoon,asthemilitaryhadordered.Whilewewere there,themilitarydidnotcometotheareabutweheardshellsexplodingnearus.Intheend,we returnedhome.Webroughtthesheeptothepenandcheckedthem,tomakesuretheywerewhole andhealthy.Someofthemgotsickbecauseoftheroughtimetheydbeenthrough. WhenIwentintothehouse,Idiscoveredthatdogshadentereditanddamagedafewthings.Before wewereevacuated,IhadputsomecheeseinabagandIdiscoveredthatthedogshadtornthebag andruinedthecheese,andwehadtomakethehousetidyagain. Ingeneral,beingevacuatedandforcedtogoelsewhere,evenforjustafewhours,isveryhardand makesyoufeelcompletelyunsettled.Weraiseandcareforsheep,andtheevacuationrequiresalot ofpreparationfortheanimals,likemakingsuretheyhavewaterandfeed.Thisishard.Itsalmost impossible.

Recap: de facto annexation, damage to development

TheJordanValleyslargelandareaandthefactthatitisrelativelysparselypopulatedmakesitthe largestlandreserveforfuturedevelopmentintheWestBank:Inthisregion,urbancenterscouldbe developedtohandlepopulationgrowth;thefertilelandinthevalleyiscrucialforsupplyingfoodto theWestBanksgrowingpopulationandproducingprofitfromagriculturalexports;theextensive emptyspacesintheJordanValleyalsomakeitpotentiallyattractivefordevelopmentintermsof 81

 energy,infrastructure,andindustry.IsraeliandPalestinianeconomistsbelievethattoinsurethat thefuturePalestinianstateissustainable,theJordanValleymustbeopenedimmediatelytothe Palestinianpopulation,therebyenablingrealizationoftheeconomicdevelopmentpotentialofthis region,whichiscriticaltothePalestinianeconomicrehabilitationanddevelopment.283 AccordingtoajointstudybyIsraeliandPalestinianeconomists,agriculturalcultivationof10,000 hectaresintheJordanValleycouldyield150to200thousandnewjobs;theuseofadvanced agriculturaltechnologieswouldenablefarmerstoexpandtheirproductionbetweenfiveandten timesanddevelopJordanValleyagricultureforexportonanareaofapproximately5,000hectares, withprofitsofaroundabilliondollarsayear.Agriculturaldevelopmentonthisscaledependson allocationsofwaterandcannotcometopasswithoutthecooperationofIsrael.284 However,IsraeldoesnotallowPalestinianstobuildonordevelopthelandinmostoftheJordan Valley,limitsthegrowthanddevelopmentofthefewPalestiniancommunitieslocatedinAreaCof theJordanValley,andpreventsPalestiniansfromaccessingtheabundantwaterresources.Overthe years,IsraelhasalsostrictlylimitedmovementbetweentheJordanValleyandtherestoftheWest Bank,includingtransitofworkersandgoods.285Bymeansofalltheserestrictions,Israelcreates pressureonthePalestiniancommunitiesinthevalleytoleaveandimposesafreezeonPalestinian developmentoftheregion. Incontrast,IsraelinvestsextensiveresourcesinthesettlerpopulationintheJordanValley:Nearlyall thelandinthevalleyhasbeenallocatedtothesettlersregionalandlocalcouncils;thesettlements enjoygenerousallocationsofwater;and,overtheyears,theyhavereceivedunprecedented benefits.286AllofthishasenabledJordanValleysettlementstodevelopmodernintensiveagriculture
283

ArieArnonandSaebBamya(editors)EconomicDimensionsofaTwoStateAgreementBetweenIsraeland

Palestine,VolumeIISupplementaryPapers,AixGroup,pp.3940;alsoGaletal.,pp.212,215,233. http://www.upsite.co.il/uploaded/files/1339_a6feca2ad988b37af50c3cde9029952e.pdf
284

Galetal.,TheEconomicDevelopmentoftheJordanValley,pp.239240. InOctober2012theIDFnotifiedACRIoftheliftingoftravelrestrictionsintheJordanValley.Itwas

285

implementedthroughtheendoftheyear.SeeBTselemwebsite,EasingofrestrictionsonPalestinians movementintheWestBank,2012,http://www. btselem.org/freedom_of_movement/20121217_restrictions_lifted Formoreontherestrictions,seeBTselem,DispossessionandExploitation,pp.2527.

286

Lee Cahaner, Arnon Sofer and Yuval Knaan, Future of the Jordan Valley Keeping It under Israeli Sovereignty Pro 82

 onanareaofsome3,200hectares.Thevalueofthesettlementsagriculturalproductioninthe JordanValleyiscurrentlyaboutNIS0.5billionayear.ThirtypercentofthefamiliesinIsraelsJordan Valleysettlementsengageinagricultureandasimilarpercentageoffamiliesprovideservicestothe farmers.287 InOctober1995,whenheannouncedtotheKnessettheapprovaloftheInterimAccordsunderthe OsloAgreement,thenprimeministerYitzhakRabinemphasizedthatthesecurityborderforthe defenseofIsraelwillbeintheJordanValley,inthebroadestpossiblemeaningofthisterm;288ina speechtotheKnessetin2010,PrimeMinisterBenjaminNetanyahuquotedRabinsstatement,and duringavisittotheJordanValleydeclaredthatIsraelsarmedforceswouldhavetoremainthrough thevalleysentirelengthinanyfutureagreement.289IsraelspolicyregardingtheJordanValley derivesfromtheaspirationsthatunderliethesepronouncements:Theideaistocreatearealityof Israelcontroloverthevalleythroughdefactoannexation,exploitationoftheareasresources,and reductionofthePalestinianpresencetoaminimum.ThisisdesignedtopavethewayfortheIsraeli presencetheretobecomeafixtureoverthelongterm,evenintheframeworkofapoliticalsolution.

and Con (Reuven Chaikin Chair in Geostrategy, University of Haifa, February 2006),pp.2223[Hebrew].SEEf/n#1inour

DispossessionandExploitation
287

SettlementandAgricultureintheJordanValley,JordanValleyR&Dwebsite:

http://www.mopbika.org.il/130651/haklaut_babika[Hebrew]
288

AnnouncementbyPrimeMinsiterandMinisterofDefenseYitzhakRabintotheKnessetPlenum,on

approvaloftheIsraeliPalestinianagreementontheWestBankandGaza,5October1995. http://www.knesset.gov.il/rabin/heb/Rab_RabinSpeech6.htm[Hebrew]
289

PrimeMinisterswebsite,PrimeMinistersremarksinaspecialKnessetsessiontomarkthe15th

anniversaryoftheassassinationofthelateYitzhakRabin,20October2010. http://www.pmo.gov.il/sitecollectiondocuments/pmo/32communication/speeches/2010/10/rabinkneseteng2 01010.doc BarakRavid,Haaretz,Netanyahu:Settlerspricetagpolicyisunacceptable,8March2011. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacydefense/netanyahusettlerspricetagpolicyisunacceptable 1.347941 ForanoverviewofIsraeliplanspublishedovertheyearsinthisspirit,seeBTselem,Dispossessionand Exploitation,p.5.

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Chapter V: Policys Impact on Communities in Areas A and B

Morethan90percentofthePalestinianpopulationoftheWestBanklivesinvillagesandcities locatedinwhattheOsloAccordsdefineasAreasAandB,wherecivilauthority,includingofplanning andconstructionwastransferredtothePA.However,thelandscomprisingthemajorityoffuture landreservesforsomeofthesecommunitiesarelocatedinAreaC.Thisisacontributingfactorto AreaAandBresidentsshortageoflandforresidentialpurposes,forpublicbuildingsandforcritical infrastructure.ItisoneofthereasonsthatleadresidentstobuildtheirhomesonAreaCdesignated lands,therebyriskingdemolition.InfrastructurebuiltbyPalestinianauthoritiesonsuchlandis similarlyatriskofdemolition. Thus,forexample,intheUmRaqbaneighborhoodinalKhader,theCivilAdministrationissued demolitionordersfor25buildings,includingaschool;ontheoutskirtsofthevillagesofYatmaand Qibyahitissued23and36demolitionorders,respectively;andintheareaofalMakhrour,nearBeit Jala,theCivilAdministrationdestroyedarestaurantandthepowergridthatservedthefarmerswho workinthearea.Thissectionofthereportdescribesthesecases,whichportraythedifficultiesof buildinginpartsofAreaCadjoiningcommunitiessituatedwithinAreasAandB.

Background: delineation of Areas A and B

TheboundariesofAreasAandBweredrawninsuchawayastocreateaspacethatisnot continuous,encompassing165separatesegmentsofAreasAandBislandsenvelopedbythe surroundingportionsofAreaC,whichisunderfullIsraelicontrol.Onehundredandthreeofthese islandscomprisethebuiltupareaofeitherasinglevillage,oronlypartsofit.290Thismeansthatin practice,nearlyallthelandreservesforfutureexpansionanddevelopmentofthesecommunities weredesignatedasAreaC.291

290

ThefigurewascalculatedbasedongeographicnumbercrunchingbyShaiEfrati. SeeForeignMinistry,Mapofinterimaccordsdated28September1995.

291

http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/479C928AE9B3498ABE2C22101CEEFF29/0/MFAJ01v30.jpg

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 Sincethe1990swhentheWestBankwasdividedintoAreasA,BandC,thepopulationoftheWest Bankhasincreasedbyhundredsofthousandsofpeople.292AccordingtotheWorldBank,municipal landsinAreasAandBunderPalestinianplanningauthorityhavebeenalmostcompletely exhausted,andthefewprivatelandsstillavailablehavebecomeveryexpensive.293Inpartsofthese samecommunitiesdesignatedasAreaC,however,therearevastavailabletractsofland.However,a permitfromtheCivilAdministrationisrequiredforanybuildingordevelopmentthere,andtheCivil Administrationrefusestogivesuchpermits,allegingthattheareaisoutsidethecommunitysmaster plan.Meantime,amongthehundredsofvillagesforwhichtheCivilAdministrationdraftedamaster planbeforetheOsloAccordsweresignedandwhichtodayarelocatedinAreasAorB,in146of thempartoftheterritoryincludedinthemasterplanisnowinAreaC,andconstructionthereis allowed.However,theareasinvolvedarefrequentlyverysmallandareinsufficientforthe residentialneedsofthegrowingpopulationofthesevillages.294 Residentswho,forwantofanyalternative,buildtheirhousesinAreaCareriskingdemolitioneven whenthebuildingwaserectedonlyafewdozenmetersfromthevillagebuildingsthatarelocatedin AreasAorB.Thedemolitionwillbecarriedouteveniftheresidentswerecompletelyunawareof thefactthattheywerebuildinginAreaC,sincetheborderbetweentheareasisnotmarked physicallyontheground. WiththeexpansionofbuildinginAreaC,therearecurrentlysome290Palestiniantownsandvillages intheWestBankonlypartofwhosebuiltupareaisinAreaC,andtherestofwhichisinAreasAor B.In183PalestiniancommunitiesatleastatenthoftheirbuiltupareaiswithinAreaC,andin45of thesecommunities,over50percentofthebuiltupareaisinareaC.295HousesbuiltinAreaCin somecommunities,thebuildingsamounttoentireneighborhoodsfacethethreatofdemolition. BTselemhasnotyetreceivedareplytoitsrequesttotheCivilAdministrationfordataonthe
292

ThePalestinianCentralBureauofStatisticsestimatedthepopulationintheWestBankin1995at

approximately1.48millionpersons;in2012,thefigurewas2.65millionpersons.Regarding1995seePCBS, SmallAreaPopulationinWestBankandGazaStrip,1994,p.141, http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_PCBS/Downloads/book1.pdf;for2012,see http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/site/881/default.aspx#Population.

293

WorldBank,AccesstoLand,p.25. Bimkom,TheProhibitedZone,p.81. ThefigurewascalculatedbasedongeographicnumbercrunchingbyShaiEfrati.

294

295

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 numberofhousesinsuchcommunitieseitheralreadydemolishedorwithdemolitionordersalready issued.296 Giventhehousingshortage,thelandstillavailableinAreasAandBisoftenusedforresidential construction,evenifitismoresuitedtootheruses.Therefore,fertilearablelandisconvertedto residentialconstruction,whilethereisinfertileland,suitableforurbandevelopment,isAreaCand thuscannotbeusedforconstruction.297Thisisoneofthefactorsthatmakeitimpedelocal Palestinianauthoritiesinerectingpublicstructuressuchasclinicsandschools,orinitiateplanning thatwouldincludeopenspacesforthebenefitofthepopulationinAreasAandB. Therearecomponentsofinfrastructuresuchaswasteremovalsitesandsewagetreatmentplants which,likepollutingfactories,oughttobesituatedfarfrompopulationcenters.Duetothe inadequatespaceallocatedinthefirstplacetoAreasAandB,insomeregions,thesitesappropriate forthistypeofinfrastructureandfactoriesarewithinAreaC.Inothercases,infrastructurewasbuilt beforetheWestBankwasdividedintothevariousareasarenowpartoftheterritorydesignatedas AreaC.AlsointercityinfrastructureprojectsfortheWestBank,suchasroads,watersystemsand electricitygrids,necessitateworkinAreaC.298PermitsfromtheCivilAdministrationfortheerection orrepairofinfrastructureprojectsinAreaCareoftenforthcomingonlyafterasignificantdelay sometimesaslongastwoorthreeyearsandsometimesaredeniedoutright.299Asaresult,even whenthereisfundingfromadonororfromthePAfordevelopmentandinfrastructureprojects, gettingthembuiltisdifficult,andsomedonorevensteerclearofinvestinginprojectsinAreaC..300

The Um Raqba quarter in alKhader 25 homes and a school under threat of demolition
ThetownofalKhaderislocatedwestofBethlehem;itswesternborderadjoinstheBethlehem bypassroadbuiltduringthe1990sthatconnectsJerusalemandHebron,andalsoadjoinsthe
296

Seedetailsontherequestabove,atnoteno.??? SeeWorldBank,AccesstoLand,pp.19,23. AccesstoLand,p.2. AccesstoLand,pp.1516;WorldBank,WaterSector,pp.5354,64. WorldBank,AccesstoLand,pp.vi,19.Seemoreaboutwaterabove,atpage??.

297

298

299

300

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 SeparationBarrierthatIsraelbuilttherein2006.Thelandbelongingtothetownonceencompassed over2,200hectares.Severalhundredhectaresweredeclaredstatelandduringthe1970s,anditwas onthatlandthatIsraelbuiltthesettlementsofEfratdirectlysouthofalKhaderNeveDaniel andElazar.In2006,asectionoftheSeparationBarrierwasbuiltalong3.5kmwestofalKhader.The barrierleftonthePalestiniansideonly260hectaresofalKhadersland.Mostofthetowns agriculturallandwasleftontheothersideoftheSeparationBarrier,asituationwhichsignificantly hindersaccesstothem. ThemasterplandraftedbytheCivilAdministrationforthetownin1997comprisedonlyabout110 hectares,andabout6,700ofthetownsresidentsatthetimewereallowedtobuild,onthatsection only.301UndertheOsloAccords,thetownsterritorywasdividedintothreedifferentareas:74.5 hectares(9percent)wereincludedinAreaA;45.7hectares(5.5percent)wereincludedinAreaB; andmorethan700hectares(85.5percent)wereincludedinAreaC.302Since1997,thepopulationof alKhaderhasnearlydoubled;theheadofthelocalcounciltoday,AdnanIbrahimSalah,estimatesit todayatapproximately12,000residents.303Meanwhile,thetractsavailableforbuildinginthetown havenotexpandedtokeepupwiththepopulation.Accordingtothemayor,thelandincludedinthe masterplannowinAreasAandBhasalreadybeenutilizedandfullypopulated;asforthetowns landthatislocatedinAreaC,Israelpermitsnobuildingthere,andmostofithasbeentakenanyway fortheSeparationBarriersrightofway. AtractofaboutahundredhectaresofalKhaderlandinAreaConthePalestiniansideofthe SeparationBarrierisintheUmRaqbaagriculturalarea,atthesouthernedgeofalKhader, southwestofSolomonsPools.Overtheyears,thispastoralareahasalsoturnedresidential,and55 housesarelocatedtherenow.ThirtyofthemareadjacenttothenorthernaccessroadtotheEfrat settlement,ofwhich5werebuiltbeforeIsraeloccupiedtheWestBank,and25werebuiltfromthe 1990sonward.Inthedecadeafter2000,theCivilAdministrationissueddemolitionordersfor25of thesehouses,inwhichapproximately140peoplelive,including90children.Theother25housesin
301

NumberofresidentsisanestimatebythePalestinianCentralBureauofStatistics:PCBS,SmallArea

Population19972010(hereinafterPCBS,SmallAreaPopulation),1999,p.77. http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_PCBS/Downloads/book498.pdf
302

ARIJ,AlKhaderTownprofile,2010,p.20.

http://vprofile.arij.org/bethlehem/pdfs/VP/Al%20Khader_tp_en.pdf
303

ThepopulationcensusconductedintheWestBankin2007givesapopulationforalKhaderinthatyearof

9,774people:PCBS,CensusFinalResultsintheWestBank,2007,p.117(seedetailsinnoteno.[?])

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 UmRaqbaarefartherfromthesettlementsaccessroad,andtheCivilAdministrationhasnotissued demolitionordersagainstthem.Thehomeownersthreatenedwithdemolitionarerepresentedby theSt.Yvesorganization,whichpetitionedtheHighCourtontheirbehalf.Todate,thejudicial processisstillongoinginthematter.

Testimony of Amal Dadua, 39, married and mother of eight, from alKhader304

Iwasmarried17yearsago,andmyhusbandandIlivedinhisparentshousewhichbelongstothe extendedfamily.ThereIborefivechildren.Inthesamehouse,inadditiontous,livedthefamiliesof myfatherinlawandmyhusbandsbrother,andwewere30peopleinall.Welivedwithdreadful crowdingthere.Therewasonlyonebathroomandtherewasalwaysalineatthedoor,especiallyin themorningwhenthechildrenweregoingtoschoolandthementowork.Wehadtoeatmainly whatmyfatherinlawandmotherinlawliked.Everyoneknewwhatwebought,andifitwas somethingprivateofmyown,Iwouldhideitfromeveryoneelseinthefamily.IfeltthatIhadno privacyatall,thateveryonekneweverythingaboutmeandmyhusband.Wedidntdaresayaword toeachother,complimentaryorotherwise,becauseeveryonewouldhear.Livingwithsuch crowdingcreatedaconstantfeelingofbitternessandanger. BecauseofthepopulationgrowthandlackoflandforbuildinginthecenterofalKhader,wecould notbuildourownhome.Werealizedthattheplacewherewecouldbuiltahouseandberescued fromadistressingsituationwasonthefamilyslandintheUmRaqbaarea,ontheoldWadiRahhal road,inAreaC. Atthebeginningofthe1990s,weparceledoutthefamilyland,1.6hectaresalltogether,between myhusbandandhisbrothers.Myhusbandreceivedaplotofaquarterofahectare,andwedecided tobuildahousethereforourselvesandourchildren.Wesubmittedabuildingpermitapplication twiceattheEtzionDCO[DistrictCoordinationOffice]beforewebeganconstruction,buteachtime thereplywasthatthisisAreaCwhereconstructionisprohibited.Meantime,theyexpandedthe EfratsettlementontolandbelongingtoalKhaderwithoutanyhindrance,whereaswe,theowners oftheland,withownershipdocuments,wereforbiddentobuild.Wehadnoalternativeandwebuilt ourhousetherewithoutapermit,nearthehousesthatwerealreadythere.

304

TestimonyofAmalIbrahimHassanDaduawasgiventoBTselemresearcherSuhaZeidon24December

2012atthewitnessshome.371937

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 []Inthenextdecade,after2000,wereceiveddemolitionordersallegingthatweposedadangerto Route60,andthatwewereinAreaCwherebuildingisprohibited,eventhoughwehadownership documentsfortheland.WeandourneighborssentthedemolitionorderstotheSt.Yves organizationinBethlehemandtheywillrepresentusintheIsraelicourt.Wewereaskedtoprepare aplanforthetractandtoprepareallthepaperstoopenafileatEtzionandsubmitanotherbuilding permitapplication,andwedidthat. Overtheyears,severalcourtsessionswerescheduledandthenpostponedrepeatedly.Eachtime thatweputapieceofironnearthehouse,wereceivedademolitionorder.Forexample,wefenced theareaforthehousewithsteelpipesbecausewewereraisinghorses,andin2008wegotanorder todemolishthepipes,allegingthattheywereplacedoverRoute60.Ipassedonthatorder,too,to St.Yves,whoaretakingcareofit. MyhusbandandIliveinanongoingnightmare,andeverytimeweseeamilitaryjeepanywhere aroundthehouse,weareafraidthattheyvecometodemolishitandthatwellenduphomeless.It feelstomelikeakindofslowdeath,akindofsuicide,ifwehavetogobacktomyhusbands parentshousewitheightchildren. WhentheIsraelisdistributedemolitionordersandteardownsomeoneshouse,theydontthink aboutwhoislivinginthathouse,orhowthishurtsthem.Theyhaventtriedlivingwithcrowding, andwithoutprivacyeveninthebedroom,inahousewith30people.Theydontunderstandthatour littlehouseisahugedreamforus,andouronlyhopeoflivinglikeotherpeople.Evenifthey demolishthehouseovermyhead,Iwontleave;Illputupatentontheruinsandliveinthat.Its impossiblefrommystandpointtogobacktothatearlierhell. TheshortageoflandforbuildinginalKhaderalsohurtsthebasicservicestowhichthetowns residentsareentitled,includingmedicalcareandeducation.ThemayorreportedtoBTselemthat thegirlsschoolinthetownislocatedinanoldbuildingwithoutenoughclassroomsforthe approximately780studentswhoattend.Rehabilitatingthebuildinginvolvesmajorexpendituresand themunicipalitycannotbuildanewschoolbecausethereisnolandavailable,alsobecausemostof thevillageslandswerepartofAreaC.Forthesamereason,thealKhadermunicipalityrelinquished thepossibilityofbuildingahospitalontownland,althoughthelocalcommunityhasalready amasseddonationstofundit.InadditiontoservingtheresidentsofalKhaderitself,thehospitalis intendedtoservetheresidentsofBethlehem,BeitJala,andthevillageswestofBethlehem,allof whomtodaymustrelyonthegovernmenthospitalinBeitJala,withonly127beds. 89

 OneoftheschoolsinalKhaderistheZuhuralAmal(HopeFlowers)school,whichincludesaprimary andajuniorhighschool,forbothboysandgirls.Theschoolwasbuiltin1992inUmRaqba,before thetownwasdividedintosectorsofdifferingstatus.AnapplicationsubmittedtotheCivil Administrationforabuildingpermitfortheschoolwasdenied.UndertheOsloAccords,theschoolis consideredAreaC,andisregisteredasaneducationalinstitutionwiththePalestinianMinistryof Education.Todaytherearearound700studentsstudyingthere.In2003,aftertheschoolhadbeen operatingforaboutadecade,theCivilAdministrationissuedademolitionorder.Theschool principalcontactedalawyer,whopetitionedtheHighCourtagainstthedemolition.InNovember 2003theCourtstayedthedemolitionorder,butthethreattotheschoolremains.

The alMakhrour area damage to businesses, leisure pursuits and agriculture

ThealMakhrourareaextendsoverapproximately300hectareswestofBeitJala,asfarasRoute60 andtheplannedrouteoftheSeparationBarrier,andsouthoftheIsraelisettlementofHarGilo.This isanagriculturalareawithancientterracesontheslopesofthehills,ancientshomerot[unique stonetowersforusedtostoreharvestsandhousewatchmen]stillusedbythelocalfarmers,living vestigesofSumerianculturethattheareasfarmersstillcultivate,alongwithfruitorchardsand groves,somewild,othersplanted.305Atmorethan900metersabovesealevel,thealMakhrour areahasclearair,openspacesandscenicviews,allquiterareinthesurrounding,denselypopulated vicinity.Thehillsallarounditattractlocalresidents,whoenjoyhikingandspendingtheirleisure timethere.Arestaurantbuilttherein2001hasbeenoperatingsuccessfully.Italysforeignofficeis fundingatourismprojectinthealMakhrourareathatisrenovatingthepathslinkingittothevillage ofBattirandarrangingguidedwalkingtours.306 Apartfromtheancientshomerot,thereare12buildingsinalMakhrourthatservethelocal landownerswhentheyarecultivatingtheirland.Extendedfamiliesjointhemonweekends.The homeswerebuiltfrom150to500metersapart.In2006,theBeitJalamunicipalityerected approximately50electricitypolesinalMakhrour,withfundingfromtheEuropeanUnion.Having
305

SeeinformationonthealMakhrourareaatthePalestinianCentreforCulturalHeritagePreservation,

http://www.cchp.ps/index.php?lang=en&page=1233682287335 andonthewebsiteofthePalestineWildlifeSociety,at http://www.wildlifepal.org/wadi_almakhrour.htm

306

SeeBattirLandscapeEcomuseumOfficewebsite,at

http://bleoffice.blogspot.co.il/

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 electricpowerallowedthelocalfarmers,mostofthemelderly,tolightandheattheseagricultural outbuildings,andmadecultivatingthelandeasier,sinceitenabledthemtouseelectricalequipment likewaterpumpsandelectricsprayers. AlMakhrourisdesignatedAreaC.InDecember2011,theCivilAdministrationdemolishedthree agriculturalstructuresatalMakhrour.InMay2011,theCivilAdministrationdemolishedthe restaurantandthreemonthslater,afterithadbeenrebuilt,demolisheditagain.On3April2012, theCivilAdministrationdestroyedabouthalftheelectricitypoles.Thelocalfarmerspurchasednew polesandcables,andwereabletorehabilitatetheelectricalsupplywiththeaidofthePalestinian ElectricCompany.On16January2013,theCivilAdministrationonceagaindestroyedtheelectricity system.
Testimony of Ramzi Qoseah, married and father of three, resident of Beit Jala307

IamaresidentofBeitJalaandatthebeginningofthesecondIntifada,in2000,myhouse,whichwas acrossfromtheGiloneighborhood,wasshelledbyIsraelanddestroyed.Ihavefourtenthsofa hectareinthealMakhrourareasoIbuiltahouseonaplotof160squaremeters,fromcement blocks,withwoodenpillarsandatileroof.Thehousewasdividedintotwostories:ontheground floorisalivingroom,kitchenandbathroom,andontheupperfloorthebedrooms.Thehouseisin AreaC.Wedidnotsubmitabuildingpermitapplicationbecauseweknewthatwewouldntgeta permit.InthelastfewyearsIhavereceivedthreewarningsofdemolitionbuttheyhavenotyetbeen carriedout. In2001,Ibuiltarestaurantalongsidethehouse,usingwoodenpillars,andflooreditwithreinforced iron.Ibuiltitinaplacethatattractspeople,sothatitwouldprovidealivingformyfamily.Theal Makhrourareaistheonlyrefugethatlocalresidentshave,aplaceoftranquility,nature,andno crowding.MywifeandIworkedintherestaurantandpreparedtraditionalArabfood.The restaurantsucceededfairlywell.Customers,especiallyfamilies,wouldcomeregularly.Weaddeda playareaforthechildreninthemiddleofgreenfields,andtheparentswouldenjoythenatural surroundingsanditwasahappyplace. On3May2012,mywifeandthreeofourchildrenawokeinconfusionfromthenoiseofabulldozer andshoutsoutside.Wewentoutofthehouseandsawahugebulldozer,militaryjeepsandCivil
307

TestimonyofRamziNachlaYaqubQoseahwasgiventoBTselemresearcherSuhaZeidon20December

2012atthewitnessshouse.371882

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 Administrationvehicles.TheCivilAdministrationrepresentativesaidthattheyweregoingto demolishtherestaurantbecauseitwasbuiltwithoutapermit.Irepliedthattherestauranthadbeen opensince2001andwasthesourceofmyfamilyslivelihood.Therepresentativeallowedmetotake allmyequipmentoutoftherestaurant,soIremovedthekitchenutensils,thechairsandtables. Thenthebulldozerstarteddemolishingtherestaurantrightinfrontofmeandmyfamily.Wesaw ourlivesandourfuturebeingdemolishedalongwithit.Itwashardtowatchthemdestroymy meansofsupportingmychildren.Iwasveryangrybutcouldnotdoanything.[] Afterthedemolition,Iputthewoodenpolesbackandrebuilttheroofusingreinforcediron.My familyandIwentbacktoworkattherestaurant.BecausethesupplyofelectricitytoalMakrourhad beencutoffevenbeforetheydemolishedtherestaurant,welivedinthehouseandworkedinthe restaurantwithoutelectricity.Atthetime,wecontactedtheBeitJalamunicipalityandtheelectric companyofficeinBethlehem.Theyadvisedustobringelectriccablesandconnectthemtothemain electricitypoleattheentrancetoalMakhrour.Ididthat,anditwasamajoreffortandcostmealot ofmoney.Afterthat,anelectriccompanyvehiclecameandtheyconnectedthecablestotheelectric pole.MyfamilyandItriedtogetbackonourfeetandwerantherestaurantagainbut, unfortunately,theCivilAdministrationcamebackon2August2012anddemolisheditagain. Iwasleftwithoutworkandmyfamilywasseriouslyharmed.Igotnohelpfromanywhere,even thoughIdecidedtostayonmylandandhangontoit.Unlikemyneighbors,whocometotheirland thereonlytocultivateit,myfamilyandIarelivingherepermanently.Ihiredalawyer,Adnanal Ashhab,andhesubmittedanapplicationonmybehalfforabuildingpermittotheCivil Administration.Althoughthelawyerbelievesthatthereisnochancetheyllgivemeapermit,westill havetogothroughtheofficialsteps.Iamafraidthattheywilldemolishmyhouse,too,andthenIll havetoleavemyland.Godhelpme.

Yatma demolition threatens homes built by residents on their own land

ThevillageofYatmaissituatedsouthofNablus,abouttwokilometerssoutheastoftheTapuah junction.Afewhundredmeterssouthwestofthevillage,thesettlementofRechelimwasbuiltin 1991,onYatmasland.Thevillagelandextendsoversome400hectares.InJanuary1992,amaster planwasapprovedforthevillage,onanareaofonly35.7hectares,andonlyinthatareaarethe

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 villageresidentsatthetime,some1,900peoplepermittedtobuild.308In1995,theOsloAccords included73.3hectaresofthevillageareainaplanwithinAreaB,includingpracticallytheentire masterplan.TherestofthevillagelandsweremadepartofAreaC,including0.8hectaresofthe masterplan. Thevillagescurrentpopulationis4,500.309DuetothescarcityofavailablebuildingplotsinAreaB, Yatmaresidentshavebegunbuildinghousesontheirnearbylands,whicharepartofAreaC.There arenowdozensofbuildingsonthislandattheoutskirtsofthevillage,mainlytothesouthandwest. In20092010,Israelissueddemolitionordersfor23ofthesebuildings.310 AfterapplicationssubmittedbyresidentsforbuildingpermitswererejectedbytheCivil Administrationonthegroundsthattheintendedconstructionsiteisnotincludedwithinthevillages masterplan,21oftheresidentspetitionedtheHighCourt.Theysoughttohavethedemolition ordersvoidedandanuptodatemasterplanforthevillageprepared,intheframeworkofwhichthe buildingsalreadystandingwouldbeapproved.311Thestatehasyettosubmititsresponsetothis petition.
Testimony of Munira Muhammad Jabber Snobar, , 37, married mother of six, of Yatma312

IammarriedtoZidanMutabSnobarandwehavesixchildren.[]AfterIwasmarried,welivedina smallroomthatwerentedfromoneofthevillageresidents.In2003,onaplotmeasuring1/20ofa hectareinthesouthwestpartofthevillage,webuiltahomeof90squaremeters.Therewere3 roomsplusalivingroom,kitchenandtwobathrooms.Wewerehappythatwehadarelatively

308

InformationaboutthemasterplanwascommunicatedtoBTselembytheDirectoroftheEngineering

DepartmentintheNablusLocalGovernmentOffices,HaninaSayed,toAbdalKarimSaadiofBTselemina meetingon7April2013;thepopulationinformationwastakenfromPCBS,SmallAreaPopulation,p.119.
309

AccordingtothePalestiniancensusforthatyear,PCBS,CensusFinalResultsintheWestBank,2007,p.110. TheinformationwascommunicatedbytheYatmalocalcouncilhead,AbdalMunimJibrilSnobartoAbd

310

alKarimSaadiofBTseleminameetingon7April2013.
311

HCJ3153/11Najaretal.v.SupremePlanningcounciletal.,Petitiondated21April2011. TestimonyofMuniraMuhammadJabberSnobargiventoBTselemresearcherSalmaaBedaion30

312

December2012atthewitnessshouse.[372122]

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 spacioushousecomparedwiththeoneroomwelivedinbefore.Whenthechildrenwereolder,we neededmoreroom,soin2010weputpillarsontheroofofthehousetobuildanotherstory. WeweresurprisedwhensoldiersgaveusastopworkwarninginMayofthatyear.Onlythendidwe findoutthatweareactuallybuildinginAreaC.Thishadneveroccurredtous,becausemyhusband inheritedtheplotoflandfromhisfatherwhoinheriteditfromhisgrandfatheranditiswithinthe boundariesofthevillage.TheresnosignthatcouldhaveindicatedwhatbelongstoAreaBandwhat belongstoAreaC,andIdidntknowthatyouhavetoasktheIsraelisideforabuildingpermitifyou wanttobuildinAreaC. Ourrelativestriedtocalmusdownandadvisedustoretainalawyertotakecareofitforusandget usabuildingpermit.Housesnearbyalsoreceivedsimilarwarnings.Weallsubmittedapplicationsfor buildingpermits.Theyaskedusforownershipdocumentsforthelandandforthemasterplanfor building.AttorneyTawfiqJabarinwasauthorizedbytheNablusdistricttorepresentusandhandle ourcases. Toourastonishment,on19December2012ourapplicationsforbuildingpermitsweredeniedand wewereadvisedtolodgeanappealwiththecourtwithintendays.MyhusbandpaidafeeofNIS 2,250andsubmittedapetitiontotheHighCourtthroughtheattorney.Sincethenwehavebeen waitingimpatientlyforarulingbythecourt. WhenIimaginethebulldozersdemolishingourhome,Iamunabletofallasleep.Ifeelreallysick, andmybodyhurtsallover.MywholelifeIhaveworkedasanurse,andItookloansfrombanksand fromfriendstobuildthishouse.Ibuiltitslowly,onestepatatime,dependingonthemoneyIwas abletoaccumulate,andIamstillindebt.MyhusbandworksbuthecannotworkinIsraelfor securityreasons,soheworksonedayoutoften,andalltheburdenfallsonme.Eventhechildren areaskingmewhethertheyaregoingtodemolishourhouse,whethertheywillletustakeour belongingsout,wherewewillgo,wherewewillsleep,andIdontknowwhattotellthem. Buildingthishousecostme30,000dinars[aboutNIS150,000],andoverthelastyearwhave investedmorethanNIS25,000inanewfloorandkitchencabinets.Thiswasaverybigsumforme butitwasimportanttomebecauseIalwaysdreamedabouthavinganattractive,wellorganized kitchen.Thedreamcametruebutunfortunatelyforme,theyaregoingtoteardownmykitchenand myentirehouse.

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Qibyah
ThevillageofQibyahislocatedinthecentralWestbank,westofRamallah,onlyabouttwo kilometerseastoftheGreenLine.Thevillagelandextendsover513hectares.The2007Palestinian censuscounted4,900residents,andtodaythereareabout6,000.313In1991,theCivilAdministration draftedamasterplanforthevillage,whichincluded74.2hectares.Theplandelimitedthebuiltup areaofthevillageatthattimeanddidnotincludelandforfutureexpansion.314TheOsloAccords classifiedabout110hectaresofQibyahland21.5percentasAreaB,andtodaythatistheareaon whichthevillageresidentsarepermittedtobuild.Therestofthevillageland,morethan400 additionalhectares(nearly80percent),aredefinedasAreaC.315 Withthepopulationgrowthinthevillage,landavailableforbuildingbecamescarceandvery expensive,andhousingdensityincreased.Asaresultofthissituation,overtheyearstheresidents fromthevillagebeganbuildinghomesonvillagelandlocatedinAreaC.ThemayorofQibyah,Wahid HusseinAbdQatani,,toldBTselemattheendofDecember2012thatinQibyahtodaythereare850 structureswithintheboundariesofthemasterplan,andaboutahundredothersoutsideofthose boundariesinAreaCinthevillagesnorthwestern,southernandeasternperipheries.TheCivil Administrationhasissuedstopworkordersagainst34housesandtwoagriculturalstructuresbuiltin theseneighborhoods,onthegroundsthattheyhavenobuildingpermits.Mostofthe196residents ofthesehousesarechildren.Thehomeownerswhosehousesareunderthreatofdemolitionare representedbytheAlQudsCenterforHumanRights,whichappliedtotheCivilAdministrationon theirbehalf,seekingbuildingpermits.TheCivilAdministrationhasnotyetconveyeditsdecision regardingthesehouses.
313

Thefigurefor2007istakenfromthePalestinianpopulationcensusof2007,p.113(seeabove,note??)and

forthecurrentpopulation,thefigurewascommunicatedtoBTselembythevillagecouncilhead,Wahid HusseinAbdQatani,inDecember2012.
314

Planno.1587/91,approvedon28March1991. ARIJ,QibyahVillageProfile,2012,p.16.

315

http://vprofile.arij.org/ramallah/pdfs/vprofile/Qibyah_vp_en.pdf SeeaerialphotoofthevillageatOCHA,LackofPermitDemolitionsandresultantdisplacementinAreaC, May2008,p.12. http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/Demolitions_in_Area_C_May_2008_English.pdf

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Testimony of Muhammad Asmar, 31, married and father of two, a resident of Qibyah316

MyfamilyandIliveinQibyahintheRamallahdistrict.[]In1990,ourwholefamilymydad,my mom,and13childrenwerelivinginahousewithsixrooms,150squaremeters.Myfamilyhadno otherplotoflandwherewecouldbuildandincaseoneofthebrothersshouldmarry,weput togetheralloursavingsandin1998boughtaplotofland1,300squaremetersinsizeinAreaC. Actuallythelandislocatedoutsidethevillageboundariesbutitisonlyabout100metersfrommy dadshouse,andwehopedthatonedayitwouldbeincludedinthevillagemasterplan.[] In2008,mybrotherHamdigotmarried.Mydadbuilthimaroomwithakitchenandbathroomin thefamilyhome,sothathecouldlivewithhiswifeandchildren.Idecidedtobuildanotherroom andkitchenontopofmyfathershousetogetreadyformyfuturemarriage.Becauseofthe crowdingandthefinancialhardships,ittookmealongtimetodecidetogetmarried. In2009,myfirstsonwasbornandrightawayIrealizedthatitwouldbetoocrowdedforusinthe roomwewerelivingin,abovemydadshouse.Andalso,Iwantedtohelpmybrothersandenable themtogetmarriedandspreadoutlikemeinthefamilyhome.So,Idecidedin2010tobuildonthe landwehadbought.IusedthemoneyIhadsavedandItookoutaloan,althoughitwasabigrisk becauseIwasbuildingwithoutapermit. Ibuiltahouseon70squaremeters,includingthreesmallrooms,abathroomandakitchen.Iwent tolivetherebeforeIfinishedalltheworkonthehouseandbeforeIdputinthewindows,soto protectusfromthecoldandtheheatIcoveredthewindowswithplasticsheeting. IdidnotsubmitabuildingpermitapplicationtotheCivilAdministrationbecauseIknewinadvance thatIwouldnotgetabuildingpermitoutsidethemasterplan,inAreaCeventhoughthedistance betweenthenewhouseandtheplansboundarywasonlyfiftymeters.On23November2011, representativesoftheCivilAdministrationleftastopworkorderonthedoorofthehouse.Iturned tothevillagecouncilforhelpwiththelegalprocessofsubmittinganappeal.Itturnedoutthat13 housesintheneighborhoodwhereIlive[]hadreceivedsimilarordersfromtheCivil Administration.MybrotherHamdialsogotasecondstopworkorderonthefoundationofthehouse hewasbuildingnearmine.[] IliveallthetimeinfearandanxietybecauseofthethreatthattheIsraeliswilldemolishmyonly home,forwhichIhaveexpendedeverythingdeartome.Ievensoldsomeofmywifesjewelryand
316

TestimonyofMuhammadMahmoudEidAsmarNajabtagiventoBTselemresearcherIyadHadadon24

December2012,atthewitnessshome.

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 borrowedmoneyfrompeoplesoIcouldbuild.Icantimaginethedaywhenallthiswillturninto rubble.Ifheavenforbidthishappens,itwillendmylifeandmyfamilyslife;wehavenootherplace tolive.Ifheavenforbidtheydemolishmyhouse,Iwontleaveit.Illbringatentandliveinitwith mywifeandmytwochildren.Myaspirationisthattheyhavestabilityinthishouse,whichtheywill beabletoinheritfromme.[]

Recap restrictions on building in Area C harm all West Bank residents

IsraelsruleoverAreaCnotonlyrestrictsthelimitedpopulationthatlivesthere,butalsoharmsthe entirepopulationoftheWestBank.TheWestBankwasdividedintoAreasA,BandCaspartofthe InterimAgreementundertheOsloAccords.Thisagreementwassupposedtobetemporary,andas suchitwasnotsupposedtoaddresstheneedsoflongtermdemographicgrowth.Yetthis temporaryagreementhasalreadybeeninforceforalmosttwentyyears.ContinuedIsraelicontrolof theextensiveterritoryofAreaC,alongwiththeprohibitionimposedbytheCivilAdministrationon Palestinianbuildinganddevelopmentinthatterritory,producesanartificialshortageoflandin AreasAandB,leadingtoalackofsufficienthousingandaspikeinthepriceofwhatlittlelandis available.Residentsofthesecommunitiesdonotenjoybasicservicesineducation,healthcareand sanitation,interaliaduetotheproblemsthatthelocalauthoritieshaveinprovidingthem,inthe absenceofsuitablesitesforbuildingtherequiredfacilities.

97

Chapter VI: Violations of international law

TheOsloAccordsandthedivisionoftheWestBankintoareaswithdifferingstatushavenotaltered thestatusoftheWestBankoverallasaterritoryoccupiedbyIsrael.EvenaccordingtoIsraelsofficial version,AreaCisheldtemporarilybyabelligerentpowerandisnotpartofthesovereignterritoryof Israel.317Asanoccupyingpower,IsraelsactionsinAreaCasintheentireWestBankaresubject tothelawsofoccupation,groundedmainlyintheregulationsappendedtotheHagueConventions andintheFourthGenevaConvention.318 Furthermore,underinternationalhumanrightslaw,Israelmustprotectthehumanrightsof everyoneunderitsrule,includingthehumanrightsofresidentsoftheWestBank.Israelsclaimthat theseconventionsdonotapplytoitsactionsintheoccupiedterritorieshasbeenrepeatedly rejectedbyjuristsandbytheUNcommitteesresponsiblefortheimplementationofthe conventions.Theyhaveruledthattheconventionsapplyinanyareawhereastateisincontrol, irrespectiveofthequestionofthesovereigntyinthearea.319 InitspolicyinAreaC,asdescribedinthisreport,Israelviolatesinternationalhumanitarianlawand humanrightslaw,asdetailedbelow.

317

Forexample,HCJ1526/07AhmadIsaAbdallahYasinetal.v.HeadofCivilAdministrationetal.,paragraph

12oftheSupplementarywritofcomplaintbythestate,dated5July2007.

ConventionrespectingtheLawsandCustomsofWaronLand(Hague,1907), http://www.BTselemBtselem.org/topicpage/conventionivrespectinglawsandcustomswarland Convention(IV)relativetotheProtectionofCivilianPersonsinTimeofWar(Geneva,12August1949), http://www.BTselemBtselem.org/hebrew/international_law/fourth_geneva_convention[Hebrew] http://www.icrapproximatelyorg/ihl/INTRO/380 HCJ393/82JamaitAskanv.CommanderofIDFForcesinJudeaandSamaria,Verdictdated28December 1983. http://www.nevo.co.il/psika_html/elyon/PADILF4785L.htm Inaddition,IsraelisalsoboundbycertainregulationsinProtocol1of1977appendedtotheGeneva Conventionsof1949,reflectingcustomarylaw.
319

318

SeesourcesinBTselem,ByHookandByCrook,noteno.205.

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International humanitarian law

Oneofthebasicprinciplesofinternationalhumanitarianlawisthatoccupationistemporaryand hencetheoccupyingpowerisnotsovereignintheterritoryandisprohibitedfrommaking permanentchangesintheoccupiedterritory.320Duringthetemporaryperiodforwhichthe occupyingpowerholdstheterritory,theoccupyingstatemustprotectthestatusquoante,guard theassetsoftheterritoryandcareforitspopulation.321Militarycommandersmayhaveonlytwo considerationswhenmakingdecisionsthatconcerntheoccupiedterritory:thewelfareofthelocal populationandthemilitaryinterestsofthearmyintheoccupiedarea.ThusHighCourtJustice AharonBarakruled:Themilitarycommanderisnotauthorizedtoweighthenational,economic, socialinterestsofhiscountry,totheextentthattheyhavenoimplicationsforhissecurityinterestin theareaorfortheinterestofthelocalpopulation.Eventhemilitaryneedsaremilitaryneedsand notthenationalsecurityneedsinitsbroadersense.322
Prohibited use of the resources of the occupied territory

Basedonthetemporarypresenceoftheoccupyingpower,internationalhumanitarianlawimposes onitaseriesofrestrictionsandprohibitionsregardingallaspectsoftheuseoftheoccupiedland privateandpublicanditsnaturalresources.Theserulesareanchoredinprotocols46and52ofthe HagueRegulationsandinarticle53ofthe4thGenevaConvention,allconsideredcustomarylawto whichIsraelisobligated.

Prohibiteduseofland

Underarticle52oftheHagueRegulations,usingenemypropertyisprohibitedunlessfortheneeds oftheoccupyingarmy.Theacceptedinterpretationholdsthatthisdoesnotapplytothegeneral needsoftheoccupyingstateorarmy,butonlytocasesinwhichthereisanimmediatemilitaryneed, inwartime,oftheoccupyingarmyintheoccupiedterritory.Andeventhen,theusemustbeonly temporary.323

320

SeeVerdictinHCJ393/82JamaitAskan. Articles43,55oftheHagueRegulations. VerdictinHCJ393/82,JamaitAskan,p.794. SeeLegalexpertopinionbyProf.EyalBenvenisti,Prof.DavidKretzmerandProf.YuvalShany,appendedto

321

322

323

HighCourtPetition413/13,paragraphs4148(hereinafter:Benvenisti,KretzmerandShanyopinion). http://www.acri.org.il/he/wpcontent/uploads/2013/01/hit413expert1.pdf[Hebrew]. TheHighCourtalsoacceptedthisinterpretation,initsrulingthattheneedsofthemilitarymentionedinthat

99

 IsraelspolicyinAreaCcontravenestheserules: 1. Israeldemarcatedmorethan40percentofAreaCasstateland,someofitpreviously underprivateownership,andinstitutedablanketprohibitiononPalestinianbuildingand developmentonthisland.Thedesignationoftensofthousandsofhectaresasstateland wasdoneviaaprocessthatviolateslocallawinforceintheWestBank.324Evenifthe declarationshadbeenmadelegally,however,theyareintendedtoserveunlawfulpurposes: TheCivilAdministrationdesignatesstatelandalmostexclusivelyforIsraelisettlements andIsraeliinfrastructure,althoughnomilitaryneedexiststhatcouldjustifytheseactsand clearlytheydonotservetobenefitthePalestinianpopulation. 2. Nearly30percentofAreaCconsistsofdesignatedfiringzones.Theseareasareforgeneral militarytraining,thegoalofwhichistopreservetheoverallreadinessoftheIsraeliarmy whichisnotconsideredanecessarymilitaryneed.325 Thisemergesveryclearlyinthestates declarationconcerningfiringzone918,whichrevealsthattheareaisneededfortrainingin combatofthesortthatwasrequiredintheSecondLebanonWar.326Thus,theterritoryis requiredforneedsthatarewhollyunconnectedwiththeoccupiedterritoryitselfandhence Israelhasnoauthoritytodeclareitafiringzone.
Exploitingwaterresources

Underarticle55oftheGenevaConvention,Israelisobligatedtoguaranteewiththefullmeasureof meansatitsdisposal,theprovisionoffoodandmedicinestothepopulation;thisobligation includestheassuranceofaccesstowater.327Accordingtocustomarylaw,theoccupyingstateis

paragraphcannotinclude,underanyreasonableinterpretation,nationalsecurityneedsintheirbroadersense [].HCJ390/79Dweikatv.StateofIsrael.
324

Formore,seeBTselem,UndertheGuiseofLegality. SeeOpinionofDr.MichaelBothe,Limitsoftherightofexpropriation(requisition)andofmovement

325

restrictionsinoccupiedterritory,appendedtotheHighCourtPetitionHCJ413/13,p.8.
326

HCJ413/13,Respondentsupdatednoticedated19July2012,paragraph12. [source?]Therighttowaterisnotexplicitlymentionedinbasicinternationaldocumentsinthefieldof

327

humanrights.However,sincewaterisapreconditionfortheenjoymentofotherrightsrecognizedinthese documents,todayitiscustomarytoviewthemasanchoringtherighttowater,aspartoftherighttofood.For moredetailedsources,see:TheRighttoAdequateFood,FactSheetNo.34,OHCHR, http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FactSheet34en.pdf

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 obligatedtoprotectwaterfacilitiesandassuretheappropriateprovisionofwatertotheprotected population,328andisprohibitedfromdestroyingwaterfacilities.329Alongtermoccupationimposes anevengreaterobligationtoassureprovisionofwaterandfood.330 Incontrasttoallofthat,Israelhastakencontrolofmostofthesourcesofwaterintheareaandit allotsthelionsshareforuseinIsraelandtheIsraelisettlements,whileignoringtheneedsofthe PalestinianresidentsandthechronicwatershortageintheWestBank.TheCivilAdministration conditionsaconnectiontothewatersystemonanapprovedmasterplanyetdoesnotallowmost Palestinianvillagesunderitscontroltoprepareaplanandleavesentirevillageswithoutrunning water.Moreover,theCivilAdministrationdestroyscisternsandrationalizesthatbysayingtheywere illegallybuilt,anditconfiscateswatercontainersandrationalizesthatbysayingtheywerebeing usedinafiringzone. Damagetoprivateproperty Article46oftheHagueConventionstatesthattheoccupyingpowermustrespectprivateproperty, andmustnotconfiscateit.Therestrictionontheabilitytomakeeffectiveuseofpropertyfor example,bypreventingaccesstolandsothattheownercancultivateitisaviolationofthisarticle anddamagestheownersabilitytobenefitfromhisproperty.331 Thus,PalestinianresidentswhoownlandinAreaC,includingthosewholiveinAreaAorB,arein mostcasespreventedfrombuildingonit.HalfthelandinFiringZone918,forexample,isprivate land.Asfortheresidentsoftheeightvillagesinthiszoneforwhomthestatedecreedexpulsion,the stateispreparedtograntthemaccesstotheirlandonlyafewdaysayear.332Suchanarrangement preventsthemfrommakingcontinuoususeoftheirhouses,theirlandsandtheirassets.Withthis
328

Rule54oftheBerlinRulesonwatersources,2004,draftedbytheInternationalLawAssociation(ILA),

http://www.internationalwaterlaw.org/documents/intldocs/ILA_Berlin_Rules2004.pdf
329

ArticleVI(3)oftheILSrulingof4September1976,F14,atp.55.

http://untreaty.un.org/ilc/documentation/english/a_cn4_427.pdf
330

Benvenistiopinionondemolitions,p.7. SeeHCJ9593/04RashadMurarv.CommanderofIDFForcesinJudeaandSamaria(notpublished,handed

331

downon26June2006),paragraph14oftheVerdictofJudgeBeinish;YoramDinstein,Supranational InternationalLaw,1979,pp.224225[Hebrew].
332

HCJ413/13,Updatednoticebyrespondents,dated19July2012,paragraph3.

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 policy,Israelisviolatingitsobligationtoprotecttheprivatepropertyoftheprotectedresidents livingintheoccupiedterritory.333
Destruction of facilities crucial for the populations survival

Inadditiontohouses,theCivilAdministrationalsodemolishesagriculturalandcommercial structuresandevencisterns.Article54ofthefirstAdditionalProtocoloftheGenevaConventions prohibitsthedemolitionoffacilitiescrucialforthesurvivaloftheprotectedpopulation,including farmland,basicfoodstuffsandwaterfacilities.334TheCivilAdministrationalsodestroystentsbuiltby humanitarianaidorganizationstoprotectresidentslivinginaridareasfromtheburningsunbyday andthecoldwindatnight,afterthemilitaryhasdestroyedtheirhomes.335Thedamagetosuch facilitiesispermissibleonlyifitservesalegitimatemilitaryneedduringwartime.336Bydestroying cisterns,tentsprovidedbytheRedCrossfordisplacedresidents,andotherfacilitiesnecessaryfor thepeoplessurvival,theCivilAdministrationisviolatingArticle54.

Absence of planning a violation of the duty to assure a normal existence

Thelawsofoccupationdefinethepopulationthatlivesintheoccupied territory,whenitspeopleare notcitizensoftheoccupyingstate,asaprotectedpopulation.337Theoccupyingstateisobligedtoact forthebenefitandwellbeingofthispopulation,includingbyprotectingitshumanrightsand assuringprovisionofitsbasicneeds. Article43oftheHagueConventionobligesthemilitarycommandertorestore,andensure[] publicorderandsafety,whilerespecting[]thelawsinforceinthecountry.IsraelsHighCourthas ruledthattheneedsofthepopulationmustbeassuredinaccordancewiththeprevailingstandards

333

SeeBenvenisti,KretzmerandShanyopinion,paragraph36. Theinstructionsofthisparagraphareacceptedtodayasreflectinginternationalcustomarylaw.SeeProf.

334

EyalBenvenisti,ExpertOpinionconcerningdemolitionofbuildingsrequiredforthesurvivaloftheprotected civilianpopulationintheabsenceofabuildingpermit.ExpertopinionsubmittedattherequestofRabbisfor HumanRightsinthecaseHCJ5667/11DeirataRifaiyaVillageCouncilv.HeadofCivilAdministration,at paragraph3(hereinafter:Benvenistiopinionondemolitionofbuildings).

335

Benvenistiopinionondemolitionofbuildings,paragraph34 Benvenistiopinionondemolitionofbuildings,p.5.pagehere,notparagraph?seepreviousone. Article4oftheFourthGenevaConventionontheProtectionofCivilianPersonsinTimeofWar.

336

337

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 ofmodernlifeatthepresenttime.Itfurtherruledthatthisobligationextendstoallaspectsofpublic life,includingeconomic,social,educational,welfare,sanitation,health,traffic,andsoforth.338 Israelhascompletelyshirkedtheobligationimposedonitbythisarticle.IsraelalteredJordanianlaw thatregulatedplanningontheWestBankpriortotheoccupation,andtookawayfromWestBank residentstheirauthoritytoparticipateintheprocessofplanningtheircommunities.339Beyondthe illegalityofchanginglocallaws,thischangewasnotdoneforthebenefitofthelocalinhabitantsbut rathertheoppositeithurtsthem:TheCivilAdministrationexploitsitssolecontroloftheplanning processanddoesnotpreparemasterplansforvillagesinAreaC.Itrefusestoallowresidentsto buildhomesorpublicbuildingsinthoseareasandforbidsthemfromconnectingtowaterand electricitysupplies.SimilarrestrictionsareimposedoncommunitiesinAreasAandB,whereIsrael controlsthelandaroundtheirboundariesandrefusestoletthemdevelop.Evenincasesinwhich theCivilAdministrationhasdraftedmasterplans,theyarefarfromaddressingtheneedsofthe population:theyallowbuildingonlyinaveryconstrictedareaanddonotenablethecommunityto expandinconsonancewithpopulationgrowthandthechangingneedsofthepeoplelivingthere. Withthisconduct,IsraelharmsthelivesandwellbeingoftheresidentsoftheWestBankandforces onthemdifficultcircumstancesandperpetualuncertaintyabouttheirfuture.Thisisaviolationby IsraelofitsobligationsunderArticle43.340
Expulsion of the populationa violation of the prohibition on forcible transfer

IsraelintendstoexpelsomeonethousandpeoplefromtheeightvillagesintheSouthHebronHillsto makewayformilitarytrainingexercises,androutinelydisplacescommunitiesofshepherdsfromthe landwheretheyliveintheJordanValley,forthesamereason.IntheMaaleAdumimarea,theCivil Administrationisplanningtheevacuationofnearly3,000Bedouinfromtheirhomes,inacommunity theCivilAdministrationrefusestorecognizeassuch.

338

HCJJamaitAskan,p.798oftheVerdict. OrderconcerningtheLawofPlanningCities,VillagesandBuildings(JudeaandSamaria)(No.418)1971.See

339

above,atp.[?].Formoreontheillegalityofalteringtheoriginallaws,seetheOpinionofexpertson internationallaw,Prof.MarcoSassoliandDr.TheoBoutruche,appendedtothePetitioninHCJ5667/11Dirat RafaiyaVillageCounciletal.v.MinisterofDefenseetal.,atpp.2227(hereinafter:Sassoliopinion). http://rhr.org.il/heb/wpcontent/uploads/62394311Expert[Hebrew]

340

SeeSassoliopinion,pp.17,27,30.

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 TheexpulsionofresidentsofanoccupiedterritoryisaviolationofArticle49oftheFourthGeneva Convention,whichprohibitstheexpulsionandforcibletransferofprotectedcivilianswhether withintheoccupiedterritoryorbeyonditnomatterthemotive.Theonlycircumstancesunder whichtheoccupyingpowerisallowedtoevacuateresidentsfromtheirhomesiswhendoingsois criticalfortheirownsafety,orbyvirtueofconsiderationsofmilitarynecessitywhenthe presenceoftheciviliansatthatlocationhindersamilitaryactionduringhostilities.341Andevenin suchacase,onemustpermittheevacueestoreturntotheirhomesimmediatelyuponcessationof thehostilitiesinthatarea.Atthetimeofthetemporaryevacuation,theoccupiermustprovidethe evacueeswithalternatelivingquartersandthebasicnecessitiesoflife.342AviolationofArticle49is classifiedasaseriousbreachoftheGenevaConventions.343 Inthecasesdescribedinthisreport,evacuationoftheresidentswasnotintendedtoprotectthem fromhostilitiesinprogressnortoenableanecessaryandurgentmilitaryaction.Thestatedrationale forevacuatingPalestiniansfromareasdesignedasfiringzonesissothatpermanent,ongoing militaryexercisesmaybeconductedthere.Thesedonotconstituteamilitarynecessityinvolvingthe occupation,andhencecannotjustifyaforcibleevacuation.344Meanwhile,thestatehasnotcited securityconsiderationsatallasanexcusefortheforcibleevacuationofmembersoftheJahalin tribe.Inallthecasesdiscussedhere,theforcibleevacuationisaseverebreachoftheGeneva Conventions. ThestatemaintainsthatresidentsofFiringZone918intheSouthHebronHills,justlikeresidentsof theJordanValleycommunitieslocatedinfiringzones,arenotpermanentresidentsoftheseareas, sotheycanbeevacuated.Apartfromthefactthat,inpractice,mostofthesepeoplelive permanentlyintheirhomesthere,theprohibitionintheGenevaConventiononforcibletransferis absoluteandpermitsnoexceptions.Theprotectionisforprotectedpeoplei.e.,residentsofthe occupiedterritoryandnotsolelyforthosewhomtheoccupyingpowerdefinesaspermanent
341

SeeBenvenisti,KretzmerandShanyopinion,paragraph8. SeeDinstein,p.225 Article147oftheGenevaConventionsdefinesexpulsionandrelocationasaseverviolationofthe

342

343

conventions;theconstitutionoftheInternationalCriminalCourtincludesthissevereviolationamongthewar crimesoverwhichithasjurisdiction.RomeStatuteoftheInternationalCriminalCourt,paragraph2(a)(vii). http://www.icccpi.int/NR/rdonlyres/ADD16852AEE94757ABE7 9CDC7CF02886/283503/RomeStatutEng1.pdf

344

SeeBenvenisti,KretzmerandShanyopinion,paragraph30.

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 residents.345ThevillagesinFiringZone918,thecommunitiesofshepherdsinthefiringzonesinthe JordanValleyandthetentencampmentsnearMaaleAdumimarehometothousandsofpeople, andIsraelisprohibitedfromdisplacingthem. Displacingpeopleisalsoconsideredforcibleevenifitisnoteffectedviatheuseofdirectphysical forceagainstthem;creatingcircumstancesthatimpelprotectedresidentstoleavetheirhomesis alsoaformofprohibitedtransfer.ThewarcrimestribunalinYugoslaviaruled,forexample,thatthe crucialelementmakingatransferforcibleisthatpeoplearenotrelocatingvoluntarilyandthatthose beingdisplacedhadnoalternativebuttorelocate.346Thecourtenumeratedcircumstancessuchas cuttingoffthewater,electricityandtelephoneservicetoresidencesaspartoftheprocessofmaking lifesodifficultthatresidentswillleavetheirhomes,whichisconsideredforcibletransferandis prohibited.347 IsraelsplanningandconstructionpolicyinAreaCcompelstheresidentstoliveinvillageswithout beingabletodevelopthem,withoutconnectionstowaterandelectricity.Enforcementofplanning andconstructionregulationsincludesdemolishinghomesandleavingpeoplewithoutaroofover theirheads.Thispolicyshapesarealityoflifesuchthatresidentshavenochoicebuttoleavehome. ThisoutcomemakesthepolicythatproducesitaviolationofArticle49oftheGenevaConventions.
Violating the prohibition against establishing settlements in the occupied territory

Establishingsettlementsintheoccupiedterritoryisprohibitedbyinternationalhumanitarianlaw:It violatestheprincipleofthetemporarynatureofanoccupation,whichprohibitstheoccupying powerfromcreatingpermanentfactsonthegroundintheoccupiedterritory,andcontravenes Article49oftheFourthGenevaConventions,whichforbidsthetransferofcitizensoftheoccupying powerintotheoccupiedterritory.Thisprohibitionalsoappliestogovernmentpoliciesthat encourageitscitizenstorelocatethere.348

asdfasdfasdfSeeBenvenisti,KretzmerandShanyopinion,paragraph6. ICTY,PROSECUTORv.MILORADKRNOJELAC,TrialChamber,Judgment,IT9725T(2002). ICTY,Prosecutorv.MomiloKrajinik,CaseNo.IT0039T,TrialChamberI,Judgment,(2006),para.729.

345

346

347

SeeBenvenisti,KretzmerandShanyopinion,pp.56.
348

OpinionoftheInternationalCourtofJusticeattheHagueconcerningtheSeparationBarrier,2005.For

more,seeBTselem,ByHookandByCrook,pp.3139.

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 WithitssettlementpolicyintheWestBank,Israeliscreatingpermanentfactsonthegroundthat changethedemographicandspatialstatusquo,thusviolatinginternationallaw.Furthermore, establishingsettlementsleadstoseriesofinfringementsofthehumanrightsofthePalestinian residents,includingtherighttoequality,property,adecentstandardofliving,freedomof movementandselfdetermination.349

Human rights law

The right to a decent standard of living

Article11oftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR)includes eachpersonsrighttoareasonablestandardoflivingforhimselfandhisfamily,includingfood, clothingandreasonablehousingandacontinualimprovementinhislivingconditions.Israel,asa partytotheICESCR,isobligedbothtopreventresidentsoftheterritoriesfrombecominghomeless, andtoassurethemofreasonableanddecenthousing.350Israelhasfailedonboththosecounts:Its homedemolitionsandforcibledisplacementhaveleftresidentshomeless;351itsrestrictiveplanning andconstructionpolicyinAreaCdoesnotenabledevelopmentandexpansionofcommunitiesin thisareaconsonantwiththepopulationsgrowthandneeds,andprecludesanypossibilityfor residentstoobtainreasonablehousing.InthegreatmajorityofvillagesinAreaC,Israelprohibits buildingandplanningandpreventsconnectiontothewatersupplyandtoelectricity.
The right to a livelihood

Article6oftheICESCRincludestherightofeverypersontowork,includingtherighttoearnaliving fromworkofhischoice.Restrictionoftherighttoworkdamagespeoplesabilitytoavailthemselves ofadditionalrights,suchastherighttoliveindignity,therighttohousing,therighttoaneducation, andsoforth.Evacuatingpeoplefromlandusedforagricultureandgrazingandlimitingaccesstothat land,preventingaccesstolandreservestobeusedforfuturedevelopmentandindustry,restricting accesstowatersources,preventingconnectiontotheelectricitygridanddemolishingfacilitiesused inearningalivingallrepresentegregiousinfringementsoftherighttoworkandtoliveindignity.

349

SeeBTselem,LandGrab:IsraelsSettlementPolicyintheWestBank,May2002,pp.2830. SeeCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(CESCR)GeneralComment4,13December1991:

350

http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doapproximatelynsf/(Symbol)/469f4d91a9378221c12563ed0053547e?Opendocu ment
351

SeeUNCommissiononHumanRights,Forcedevictions,10March1993,E/CN.4/RES/1993/77LINK?

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Freedom of movement and the right to choose where to live

Article12(1)oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRightsguaranteestherightto freedomofmovementandfreedomtochooseonesplaceofresidence.Israelspolicydeprivesthe Palestinianpopulationofthisrighttochoose:InmostofthelandinAreaC,theyareforbiddento live,onvariouspretexts,andintheremainderofthelandtheirabilitytobuildisveryrestricted.

The right to health and education

TheICESCRinArticle13guaranteestherightofeachpersontoaneducation.InArticle12,the covenantstatesthateachpersonmustbeassuredofhealthservicesandmedicalcare.TheUN ConventionontheRightsoftheChildspecifiesinArticle28therightofachildtoaneducation, basedonequalopportunity.InArticle24,theConventionobligatesthestatesthatarepartiestoit, toassurethatnochildwillbedeniedaccesstohealthservices.Intheframeworkoftheplanningand constructionpolicyIsraelpursuesinAreaC,theCivilAdministrationalsoprohibitstheconstruction ofschoolsandclinics,necessaryfortherealizationofresidentsrightstoeducationandhealth,and evenissuesdemolitionordersforbuildingshousingsuchfacilities.ThusIsraelisviolatingits obligationtoprovideeducationandhealthservicesfortheresidentsoftheoccupiedterritories.

The right to selfdetermination

ThefirstarticleofboththeCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRightsandtheCovenantonEconomic, SocialandCulturalRightsguaranteestherightofallpeoplestoselfdetermination.Theofficial, declaredpositionoftheIsraeligovernment,thePAandmostoftheinternationalcommunityisthat theappropriateframeworkfortherealizationoftherighttoselfdeterminationforthePalestinian peopleisanindependentPalestinianstateintheWestBankandGaza,whichwillexistalongsidethe StateofIsrael.352 IsraelsactionsinAreaC,foremosttheestablishmentoftheIsraelisettlements,truncateanddissect Palestinianspace.TheplantoexpandthesettlementsinE1threatenstointensifythedivisionofthe WestBankintotwoseparatedistrictsandincreaseitsisolationfromEastJerusalemandtherestof theWestBank,makingthatmuchmoredifficulttheestablishmentofasustainablePalestinianstate withterritorialcontinuity. Thisarticlealsostatesthatallpeoplesareentitled,fortheirownpurposes,toenjoytheirnatural resourcesandwealthtothefullest[].Innocaseshallapeopletobedeprivedofthemeansof
SeeEnglishversionoftheRoadMapontheKnessetwebsite,at:

352

http://www.knesset.gov.il/process/docs/roadmap_eng.htm

107

 makingaliving.IsraelviolatesthisprinciplebydeprivingPalestiniansoftheuseofmostofthe extensivelandareaandabundantwatersourcesintheJordanValley.Ittherebypreventsthemfrom realizingthelandsagriculturalandeconomicpotential.

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Conclusions
Notlongago,IsraeliMinisterofEconomyNaftaliBennett,formerchairmanoftheJudea,Samaria andGazaCouncil,calledonIsraeltoimposesovereigntyunilaterallyonAreaCandthengrantIsraeli citizenshiptoAreaCslocalPalestinianresidents,whomhesaidnumbered50,000.353 TheaboveproposalconsidersAreaCanindependentregion,separatefromtherestoftheWest Bank.YetthedivisionoftheWestBankintoAreasA,BandCdoesnotreflectageographicreality, butratheranadministrativedivisionmadeasapartoftheInterimAgreementoftheOsloAccords. Thedivisionwastohavebeentemporaryandtohaveenabledanincrementaltransferofauthority tothePalestinianAuthority.Itwasnotdesignedtoaddresstheneedsoflongtermdemographic growth.Nonetheless,thistemporaryarrangementhasremainedinforcefornearlytwentyyears. Intheory,theInterimAgreementgrantsIsraelcompletecontrolinAreaConly.Inpractice,asthis reporthasshown,IsraelscontrolofAreaCseverelyharmsthePalestinianpopulationoftheWest Bankasawhole. Some60percentofWestBanklandshavebeenclassifiedasAreaCandareunderfulland exclusiveIsraelicontrol.Inthevastmajorityoftheselands,IsraeldeniesthePalestiniansany opportunitytobuildanddevelop.Itrefusestorecognizemostofthevillagesintheareaordrawup plansforthem,preventstheexpansionanddevelopmentofPalestiniancommunities,demolishes homesanddoesnotallowthecommunitiestohookuptoinfrastructure.Thousandsofinhabitants liveundertheconstantthreatofexpulsionforlivinginallegedfiringzonesorillegalcommunities. ThelandreservesthatsurroundthebuiltupsectionsofWestBanktownsandvillagesareoften designatedasAreaC,andIsraeldoesnotallowconstructionordevelopmentonthesereserves. IsraeltherebystiflesmanyAreaAandBcommunities,denyingthemtheopportunitytodevelop. IsraelevenimpedestheconstructionofcriticalinfrastructureneededthroughouttheWestBank. Thus,forexample,PalestinianslivingintheSouthHebronHills,intheBedouincommunitiesnear MaaleAdumimandinvillagesoftheJordanValley,havenopossibilityofreceivingconstruction
353

NaftaliBennett,PlanforStability,apracticaloutlineformanagingtheIsraeliPalestinianconflict,

http://www.google.co.il/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDUQFjAB&url=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww.onestateisrael.com%2Fsolutions%2Fisraeliproposals%2Ftheisraelistabilityinitiativenaftali bennett%2F&ei=rPChUfeSJPOB4ATLvoHwDg&usg=AFQjCNFuyT8dJ IUqz2Qq80VPSdHYIjS1A&sig2=aHlnxqxJ5Vp05U5AM1UvhQ&bvm=bv.47008514,d.bGE

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 permitssotheycanlegallybuildordeveloptheirvillages.Theylivewithoutaregularpowersupply orrunningwater,andfacetheconstantthreatofhomedemolitionandforceddisplacement.Onthe outskirtsofalKhader,YatmaandQibyahcommunitiesmostofwhoselandsareinAreaBunderPA civilcontrolresidentsfacetheconstantthreatofdemolitionoftheirhomeswhichwerebuiltin AreaC,becausetherewerenoplotsavailablewithinthelimitedareainwhichtheircommunityis permittedtobuild. SomeAreaCresidents,harmedbyIsraelsplanningandconstructionpolicy,haveappliedtoIsraels HighCourtofJusticeforredress.However,ofthedozensofpetitionssubmitted,thecourtdeemed notasinglecaseworthyofitsinterventionwithCivilAdministrationconsiderations.Thecourtthus enabledtherestrictive,harmfulanddiscriminatorypolicytocarryon. Atthesametime,andcountertointernationallaw,Israelencouragesitsownnationalstosettlein theWestBank.Israelallocatesvasttractsoflandandgenerouswatersuppliestothesesettlements, drawsupdetailedplansthattakeintoaccountbothcurrentrequirementsandfutureexpansion,and turnsablindeyetoviolationsofplanningandconstructionlawsinsettlements. IsraelspolicyinAreaCisanchoredinaperceptionoftheareaasmeantabovealltoserveIsraeli needs.Consequently,IsraelconsistentlytakesactionsthatstrengthenitsholdonAreaC,displace Palestinianpresence,exploittheareasresourcestobenefitIsraelis,andbringaboutapermanent situationinwhichIsraelisettlementsthriveandPalestinianpresenceisnegligible.Throughits actions,IsraelpreservesadefactoannexationofAreaCandcreatescircumstancesthatwillhelp perpetuatethisstateandinfluencethefinalstatusofthearea. WithitspolicyinAreaC,Israelabusesitsbasicobligationsunderinternationalhumanitarianlaw:to preservetheterritoryundertemporaryoccupation,torefrainfrommakingchangesandexploiting resourcesforitsownbenefitand,especially,toprovidefortheneedsofthelocalpopulationand respecttheirrights.Instead,Israel,throughtheCivilAdministration,pursuesapolicydesignedto achievepreciselytheopposite:theCivilAdministrationrefusestopreparemasterplansforthe communitiesoftheresidentsofAreaCandtherebyprohibitsnearlyallbuildinginAreaCorhooking upresidentstoinfrastructure.Whenresidents,havingnootheroptions,nonethelessbuild,theCivil Administrationdemolishestheirhomes.Thefactthattheresidentshavenolegalopportunityto buildtheirhomesisnotconsideredsignificantbyIsrael,asifitwerenotadirectresultofIsraeli policy. AslongasIsraelcontrolstheWestBank,includingAreaC,itmustmeetitsobligationsunder internationallawandhumanrightslaw.First,Israelmustrevoketheallocationithasmadeofvast 110

 tractsofstatelandtothelocalanddistrictcouncilsofsettlementswhoseveryexistenceisin contraventionofinternationallawandalsoretracttheclassificationofextensiveareasasfiring zones. Second,IsraelmustallocatelandsthroughoutAreaCtoPalestiniansforhousing,infrastructureand industrialzones,andpursueanexpertplanningprocesswhosetopprioritywillbetheneedsofthe PalestiniansintheWestBank.InaccordancewithJordanianlawwhichwasineffectintheWest BankbeforeIsraelchangedit,representativesofthelocalPalestinianpopulationmustbeincludedin thisprocess.TheprocessmustalsofeaturerecognitionofexistingWestBankcommunities,andall PalestinianresidentsoftheWestBankmustbepromptlyhookeduptowaterandpower infrastructure.IsraelmustworkinconjunctionwithPalestinianAuthorityrepresentativesto promoteoverallplanningintheWestBankandtoaddresstheplanninganddevelopmentneedsof theresidentsoftheWestBankasawhole. AslongasIsraelretainsplanningauthorityinAreaCanddoesnotallowPalestinianstobuildlegally, itmustimmediatelydesistfromdemolishinghomes,businessrelatedstructures(e.g.,buildingsused foragricultureortrade)andrainwatercollectioncisterns.Inaddition,Israelmustnotexpelpeople fromtheirhomesintheabsenceofaclear,essentialandimmediatemilitaryjustification.

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