Israel threatens West Bank village with expulsion

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Testimonies given to B'Tselem indicate that the Civil Administration recently informed residents of the Palestinian village 'Arab a-Ramadin al-Janubi that they will be demanded to vacate their village and move to another site, in contradiction of Israel's explicit undertaking to the High Court of Justice. The village is an enclave situated west of the separation barrier, near the site on which the Alfe Menashe settlement was established.

The villagers in 'Arab a-Ramadin al-Janubi have lived there, on land they purchased and recorded in the Land Registry Office, since the late 1950s. In 2002, with the construction of the separation barrier, which de facto annexed the Alfe Menashe settlement, the village became an enclave. On 5 June 2008, a delegation from the Civil Administration -- a number of soldiers and an officer who introduced himself as the Civil Administration official in charge of Qalqiliya - demanded a meeting with village elders. The officer suggested that the villagers vacate the village and move to a site on the eastern side of the separation barrier. According to villagers, the officer said that, sooner or later, the residents would be made to leave, and if they moved now, the Civil Administration would assist them, by providing electricity and water, for example. The village elders refused to listen to the offer and left the meeting.

In the past, Israel stated officially that, "the possibility is being considered to offer the Beduins living in 'Arab a-Ramadin al-Janubi and 'Arab Abu Farda to go and live on a site located on the other side of the fence." However, in 2007, in the High Court action referred to above, the state undertook and the judgment ordered, that the state ensure reasonable living conditions for the villagers.

Israel has done nothing to meet its undertaking and has even issued demolition orders regarding some structures in the village.

The villagers earn a living from raising sheep and goats, and the separation barrier blocks their access to grazing lands, cutting off their source of income. With their condition deteriorating, there is grave concern that Israel is interested in moving them, by denying them a way to make a living, or by expelling them forcibly.

read on...
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9699.shtml

[azurnoir]

1. Link to the B'Tselem report

http://www.btselem.org/english/separation_barrier/20080708_arab_a_ramadin_al_janubi.asp

[subsuelo]

2. The thing is

They'll keep stealing the land from the native Palestinian people, but then cry and complain when more and more people start speaking up that it's become One State (which it has).

Can't have it both ways. Can't steal it all, then wonder what happened to the plans for a second state. Duh! Where'd the land go? Uh- you stole it, that's where.

Anyway, they need that second state - so that important leaders can get their peace prizes, plus Israel will be needing a place to dump it's sewage on. I guess settling on all the Palestinians land is more important than achieving peace.