Last update - 00:00 05/05/2007
200 protested demolition orders in Wadi Ara unrecognized village
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
At least 200 people demonstrated Saturday afternoon on Route 65 in Wadi Ara against orders to demolish houses and roads in the unrecognized village of Dar El-Hanoun.
The demonstrators are protesting the Haifa Magistrate's Court order to demolish a 100-meter paved road leading the village. In addition, there are demolition orders against two houses in the area.
Saturday's demonstration was organized by the "Popular Committee of Dar El-Hanoun." The demonstrators, including Arab residents from nearby villages and Jewish left-wing activists, held signs saying "Let us live in Dar El-Hanoun" and "Stop ruining our shared lives."
A resident of the village, Mustafa Abu Hellal, said to Haaretz that he will not let his children leave the village. "My grandfather built the first house here and we will absolutely not leave," he said. He reiterated that their protest will be peaceful.
The village was founded 80 years ago by the Abu Hellal family on a hill near the Wadi Ara route, on land owned by the family. In 1949, when the land was transferred to Israeli sovereignty, the authorities did not recognize the village, and the residents were asked to move to nearby villages.
Currently, 10 families reside in the village and refuse to leave.