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Israeli demolitions in Jordan Valley

Tania Kepler
for the Alternative Information Center (AIC)
4.7.10
http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/settlers-violence/2705-israeli-demolitions-in-jordan-valley-


12 shelters were demolished by the Israeli army on Thursday 1 July, in the village of Khirbeit ar Ras Al Ahmar in the Tubas Governorate. The shelters were used primarily for animals and belonged to 12 families (72 people) from the village. 5 of the families received eviction orders on June 6th, when the Israeli military issued evacuation orders to 9 families in the Jordan Valley village The families were given orders instructing them to leave the area, and remove homes, animal shelters, and livestock within the following 24 hours. The families were warned that if they did not comply with the military orders, that their animals would be confiscated and they would be forced to pay the expenses of the confiscation. The other demolitions were following orders given to the families in June of last year.

The Israeli army claims the village land is a closed military area (although the families have lived on the land, with permission from the Palestinian landowners, since the early 1960s).

The village of Khirbet ar Ras al Ahmar also suffered large-scale demolitions one year ago, in June 2009, at the hands of the Israeli army. 18 families (128 people) lost more than 65 structures, devastating the community at the time. Despite humanitarian assistance provided by organizations such as the ICRC and Save the Children UK, in addition to the Palestinian Authority, the incident had a devastating impact on the community. The military orders for the demolition came on 31 May 2009 and the property was destroyed and the area evacuated on 4 June 2009. Lawyers for the community did not even have enough time to fully act.

In response to the July 1st demolitions, the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government has reportedly committed to providing the community with mobile sheds to ensure that they can shelter their animals from the summer heat.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Israel`s Civil Administration has deliver more than 26 `stop work` orders to Palestinian families living in Area C in recent months. Area C, under Israeli control and administration, makes up 59% of West Bank land.




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