Jordan Valley: Wave of demolitions

Occupation forces today went on a spree of demolitions in the Jordan Valley, destroying four homes and two water tanks in Bardala, Sahel Libqeya, Frush Beit Dajan and Jiftlik.

Two villages, al-Hadidiya and Humsa, were spared today but are slated for complete demolition, which villagers have been told is imminent.

The wrecking crew began working in the morning in the village of Bardala, in the north of the Jordan Valley, where they destroyed a water tank.

The Occupation forces then headed south towards the Sahel Libqeya area, where the threatened villages of al Hadidiya and Humsa are located, and demolished two homes.

They then drove to Frush Beit-Dajan where another water tank was reduced to rubble.

Finally, they moved to the north to Jiftlik, where they demolished one Palestinian home and hoisted another onto a truck before driving it away.

A local spokesman said:

“The Occupation is trying to drive us from our land – to ethnically cleanse the Jordan Valley. Since the start of the year, the families have been struggling against their expulsion, while suffering under a military regime that prevents them from accessing water and services, and puts them under constant threat of house demolitions”

The destruction of two other villages in the area, al-Hadidiya and Humsa, is imminent. Seventeen Bedouin families, numbering around 180 people have refused to leave the villages and face eviction by force. Occupation authorities state that the residents are living in a ’closed military zone’ and claim that they need to be removed for their own safety.

The Israeli High Court finally rejected the families’ appeal against demolition in December 2006. On Saturday, Occupation authorities in the Jordan Valley served a military order to the villagers telling them that they must leave their homes, or face removal by force.

The Occupation have been stepped up the pressure on the villagers since the start of 2007 by restricting their access to water resources. On 29 July the military confiscated a water tank and tractor from al-Hadidiya.

For Photos see: Photo Story - Demolitions in the Jordan Valley: Steadfastness in the face of destruction

NOTES TO EDITORS

Official sources have confirmed off the record to the Palestinian Grassroots Anti Apartheid wall campaign that demolition of al-Hadidiya and Humsa will begin today.

There are around 180 people in the al-Hadidiya and Humsa, according to a count by the Palestinian Grassroots Anti Apartheid Wall Campaign, 7 August 2007.

The village of Hadidiya was previously demolished in 1997. Some Bedouin families decided to stay on and appeal against the decision in the High Court. On 10 December 2006 the High Court of Justice finally turned down this appeal. Palestinian appeals to the courts against home demolitions are almost invariably rejected.

For further information, please contact Fathy Khdeirat, Jordan Valley Coordinator of the Palestinian Grassroots Anti Apartheid Wall Campaign (+972) 522747871 or (+972)599 352 266.

Photographs of al-Hadidiya are available on request from the Palestinian Grassroots Anti Apartheid Wall campaign, Al-Bireh, (970) 2 2971505, contact campaign@stopthewall.org.