IDF destroys West Bank village after declaring it military zone
Since 1967, Israel has prevented the growth of Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley by cutting off their water supply or declaring large areas as live fire zones.
By Amira HassThe IDF's Civil Administration destroyed a Palestinian village Monday morning that had earlier been cleared out when its water supply was cut off.
The IDF demolished about 55 structures in the West Bank village of Farasiya, including tents, tin shacks, plastic and straw huts, clay ovens, sheep pens and bathrooms. These structures served the 120 farmers, hired workers and their families who lived in the Jordan Valley village.
The Civil Administration said they had declared the area a live fire zone and posted eviction orders for 10 families in tents on June 27.
"Since no appeal was filed in the following three weeks, and given the danger posed by the location of the tents, they were removed," they said in response.
The villagers made a living by sheep farming and working land owned by families in the town of Tubas. Some of them have been living in Farasiya for decades.
A packaging warehouse that was built together with Agrexco in the late 1970s was also torn down.
Atef Abu al-Rob, a photographer for the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, who arrived at the village hours after the demolition, said mattresses, pipes and broken furniture were lying on the ground in the debris.
Since 1967, Israel has prevented Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley from growing, whether by cutting off their water supply, declaring large areas as live fire zones or banning all construction.
About a year ago the IDF set up hundreds of warning signs near Palestinian farming communities, marking them closed military areas. Such a sign was set up at the entrance to Farasiya.
The families had recently been forced to leave the village when the Israeli authorities cut it off from its water sources, said the popular committees' coordinator in the valley, Fathi Hadirat. The villagers were forbidden to use the water wells the Mekorot Water Company had dug in the area.
Hadirat said a few years ago the Civil Administration destroyed the pipe the villages had laid from a nearby stream used for drinking water and irrigation.
Since then they have been watering the sheep and fields with water unfit for human consumption, pumped from a salt water source. They received drinking water in tanks.
About four months ago the IDF confiscated their pumps. On Sunday, 10 families from Bardala, a village north of Farasiya, were given demolition notices.
A farmer who owns 300 sheep was told to leave in 24 hours or his herd would be confiscated.
 |
A Palestinian man inspecting the remains of his tent, destroyed by the IDF on July 19, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
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4th Geneva Convention "Art. 53. Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations." Article 49 is also relevant, prohibiting "Individual or mass forcible transfers" and of course, the well known: "The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.".
I wonder if Ms Hass would follow this up and show us how if they do, the people driven out recover anything of a life worthy of a human being. What happens to the the bedouin sheperds?
Unbelievable, this is pure robbery in daylight. Where is the U.N. where the Geneva convention about not to change the occupied land nor evict its inhabitants. This is sickening and accpetable. Please boycott all Israeli product anywhere . Hit them in the pocket where it hurts most.
IDF's Civil Administration? Talk about an oxymoron. How did a Palestinian village become a war zone? "Poof, you're a war zone?" And you wonder why the rest of the world has a problem with you? Why not just level Gaza and the West Bank and get it over with? It isn't like that's not the plan.
Almost every day, in fact. But that gets scant press coverage.
And look at all the outraged anti-Semites in the comments section! The truth is, there was no "village", the Palestinians who live elsewhere stored farming equipment in two wooden tents and were ordered to move them. No one lived there. The title "IDF destroys West Bank village" is an outright lie, but then people familiar with author's work would not be surprised.
Having lived in Israel and the West Bank, I know there is a propensity for Israelis to "whitewash" their government's actions. 55 structures in the village of Farasiya, including tents, tin shacks, plastic and straw huts, clay ovens, sheep pens and bathrooms is a bit more than thefantasy portrayed by Sam.
... because of dumping of human and animal waste directly into it. Anyone that cares about the environment might have a different opinion than simply a human rights issue.
mostly responsible for the current disastereous situation of the river.
Terrorism comes in may forms. Governments are not immune from practicing terrorism themselves.
What is the point of this? Israel does not need the Jordan Valley for live fire and certainly will not get it in a final settlement. So other than confirming that their intentions to punish Palestineans what was the point?
There are many major cities in Israel vunerable to rocket attacks from the Jordan Valley and from some part of the Jordan Valley even Ben Gurion airport is in range. When a plane is shot down will your sympathies be with a bunch of sheep farmers or the hundreds of people killed on the dowmned plane?
these " bunch of sheep farmers " as you call them , are peaceful Palestinians trying hard to survive and doing no harm to anybody. And by the way - it is their land , not yours.
...or get over your eternal victimhood. Whichever you think is easier.
The airport is as far from the borders as it could be, and it is still within few miles of them. You anti-Semites just don't realize that Israel is a TINY piece of land surrounded by HUGE Arab states on all sides. Just look at the map for once!
If the information supplied in this article is complete, it does not look as if justice has been done to the Palestinian people. This is sad. I love Israel.
This cruelty will bring cruelty back to the criminals. USA will become less important and israelis will become weaker then it will be the end for them
But cruelty has nothing to do with it. This article is a lie, the story is completely made up, yet the comments section is full of calls to kill the Jews. When Israelis become weaker it will be the end of them, just as you said.
I just wanted to say this is disgusting and proves zionism has no religion or morals.
Everyone who lives in Palestine is a Palestinian. Arabs, Jews, Christians. PA citizens and Israeli citizens. If the government can demolish Jewish homes, they can do the same to illegal Arab homes. These were illegal settlements.
homes got demolished by the Israeli government in the last 62 sixty two years? by the way I agree that all are palestinians.
When will the good people of Israel rise up against their sadistic leaders. Humanity dictates to treat Palestinians as people. Are your youth brainwashed by military servitude. Where is their moral compass? Rise up. Demonstrate. Please, help stop your governments destructive genocide of refugees.
it seems that many Israelis are either in denial or don't care. Otherwise how could they live with their conscience knowing that this is going on? Ordinary people can exert enormous influence if their will is strong enough..
Just who died and granted the IDF the authority to declare Palestinian land an area a military zone? I would like to know and prior to this how can the IDF declare an area a fire zone by cutting off water to those who occupied land to work in the area? This is such a cowardly thing to do in my book also. Did you know cutting off water and electricity is a human rights violation and most utilities com- panies in the West cannot wage such cruelty against those who depend on them in the West and expect to retain their license to serve the public? Lastly, the other double standard that is glaring there --how come the IDF is supplying water and electricity (and I believe radio service ) to Israeli settlers who are illegall occupying outposts which your own courts have already deemed illegal? Dutch
What government doesn't remove the tents, tin shacks, plastic and straw huts of its itinerent communities. Even happens in beautiful, peaceful Switzerland.
and to take that away is shameful, whether its in beautiful, peaceful switzerland or anywhere else... to belittle the loss of the poorest... oh well, nevermind...
You know the two situations are completely different, and you're WRONG to say it happens in Switzerland, as they don't cut off water to a village, and then flatten it. They remove DEBRIS - not DWELLINGS. This isn't beautification, by removing a tent. This is ethnic cleansing, pure and simple.
So their "crime" was that they werent rich enough? *lol*
from Switzerland.
The current government and the fanatical religious right are just implementing, little by little, the policy they never abandonned: the complete removal (ethnic cleansing, in other words) of the unwanted muslim inhabitants of the land. A policy that started in 1948 and that has only one aim, a nation populated only by pure jews. Expansionism, ethnic cleansing, racism, religious bigotry, state sponsored violence.......i think we all know how this is all going to end.
Why move in to Palestinean land and target civilians, their home and properties? Why deny Palestineans water at their own land? That's nothing but cruelity. It's inhumane in a way that does'nt fit a modern democracy of today. How will this affect the "peace talks"? Does IDF even want peace?
To win the hearts and minds of the Pals.
Your report is not based on facts as long as you don't give the oppotunity to the side you attack to express his view officially. For instancce, to whom belonged the land (to the town of Tubas or to a family there) ? Since when it's a dangerous fire zone ? Ms Hass, your point of view is biased therefore it lacks of credibility.
the amira hasses of this world have to be much more careful and accurate in their reporting than,say,m.a. or i.h (also of haaretz)..they're scrutinized,and would be in deep trouble(as would haaretz) if found bluffing or even inaccurate.now for this particular case-" the civil administration said....(third paragraph).the events/acts/facts are not disputed by the competent(one assumes)authority.the rest is interpretation,go and learn,as per Hillel.
Here is a possible solution: Give them the choice to stay or not according to a clear criterion: According to Torah foreigners can stay in the Land if they keep the Torah. Ergo: They can choose (Most of them are of jewish descent anyway)
Spoken like a true Taliban. My god says its ok to dehumanizs these people.
Correct me if I'm really wrong, mr. Sobieski.
go read in the news paper about the couple israeli palestinian... the pal man was trying to convert to judaism to be able to live with his israeli wife and children and your government won't even accept that. Israel wants the Nile to Euphrates... only Jews... based on ancient worn out scripture... and they preferably not be Jewish Arabs too... They are THIS racist.
Gaza is free, and have been since 2005.
Would you call Israel free if it was under a blockade like the Israeli/Egypt blockade of Gaza? I seriously doubt that.
Once again, Haaretz presents "opinion" as "news." Ms. Hass' anti-Israel opinions are well know. She is free to express them. But when Haaretz presents them as "news" it throws out even minimum principles of integrity. I don't believe any thing I read in Haaretz.
destroying villages is no news? I don't understand. Perhaps for you, embarassing news for Israël should not be given at all.
"IDF destroys West Bank village after declaring it military zone". If it isn't, could you please take pains to quote a phrase that is "opinion"? I'm holding my breath to witness your "principles of integrity".
These are FACTS. Come to Palestine and check them out yourself... and if some liberal open minded Israelis have the courage to face the denial of the rest of blindfolded israelis.... They are self-hating Jews or anti-israelis... please cut the crap.
Well, I guess you could go watch Fox News. That will suit your taste and inclinations
This zionist entity has nothing to do with sacred Jewish values. Destroying villags as was done in 1945, 1967, and now in 2010 is abhoring behavior. Cutting water on innocent civilians, women and children is a crim against humanity no matter how you mask it.
Expropriation is legal. Even my country due it. Even Hamas due it on Gaza.
Expropriation usually involves compensation to the person whose property is being expropriated. Expropriation also usually takes place within the borders of the state...
This a further attempt to make the lives of peaceful Palestinians as miserable as possible. Instead of making " Live Fire Zones" you should try creating " Peace Zones " . Shalom / Salam
Judge a tree by its fruit. ... Showing their real face. One picture is worth a thousand tears. ... There is always a balance in nature > Israel will be turned into a "firing zone'. The many will suffer for the folly of the few. Change or suffer.
Palestinians will prevail. They are survivors. They will always prevail! Nothing and no one can shake their will to remain steadfast in the midst of a cruel and heartless country that does not recognize their humanity and determination to live out their lives be it inside tents or on top of rocks and debris.
i least war i have some dignity even if i was killed
lives in there it has become a story? Fact please! Who owned it then? Who owns it now? What iz the reason. Explain for christs sake!
so dont play like u dont know whats happening
Ah yes, I can see it now. Allow tents to stay and before you know it they've sheltered thirst starved natives. And the IDF doesn't understand why it has a rather unsavoury reputation abroad? And who is paying whom to take this land?
Israel is beyond redemption. It is beyond salvation. It has become everything evil, degenerate and despicable. What was once a light unto the world, has become the world standard of evil.
When was that, remind me. What year what month, week, day , hour , minute or second when Israel was light unto the world.
When ? dear Mark. Once perhaps in the time that the animals still could speak.
is America enabling such terrible things?
We have numerous organizations here that comprise the Israel Lobby, and at least 95% of the people are traitors to the United States of America. They care far more about Israel than they do the US, and will go to any lengths to secure favorable legislation and funding for the rogue, racist State.
Why do American Jewish Synagogues have Israeli flags at their altars? I suspect it is because this is the country, regime, and culture to whom they offer their loyalty. An American-Zionist-Jew is more of an occupier than an American.
In the absence of any protests, I would also have demolished the structures if I had the power.
you would make protests impossible and/or ineffective. Then you could demolish the structures. What a wonderful microcosm you would make.
ever read the hitchhiker guide to the galaxy?
The so-called Palestinians are good at complaining to the Israeli court system.
The so-called Palestinians are good at complaining to the Israeli court system.
I'm sure you would. Probably in the same way as Hamas would destroy your home and properties if they could. In that way you remind quite a lot of each other.
The classification will change from live fire zone to settler buildable zone pretty soon
More pullets are fired by criminals in Tel Aviv and Yaffa than in Jordan Valley!!!!
no appeals they say, sure sure, i bet they did or weren't informed of the pending razing, who in their right mind would not appeal ?.
The so-called Palestinians so they can whine to the world.
To appeal this decision, firstly you often need to be considered a citizen. Secondly, you need money and backing and a lawyer to get it into the court. Thirdly the military can and do refuse to turn up to court. Or they postpone and postpone ad infinitum so the case never gets heard. In the unlikely event that it does get to court, court rulings are often completely ignored. Asked why, the interior ministry says "We can't answer that on grounds of national security" Anyone want to argue that this is not the case will have to suck personal experience out of me. I don't make my opinions from afar after reading newspapers.
...just how much of the Jordan Valley **is** declared to be a "closed military zone"?
"Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I'm concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone. Go argue."
100% of it, gees, and i thought you knew everything..lol, joking with ya mate, i'm with you all the way. cheers.
But what a politician like Netanyahu says and what the IDF has ordered are often very different things. Only the IDF Commander can issue a military order declaring any part of the West Bank to be a "closed military zone", because under int'l law he is the ONLY person who has the authority to issue such a military order. Bibi can't do it. Even Barak can't do it. So I'll ask again, in all seriousness: how much of the Jordan Valley has been **DECLARED** to be a closed military zone?
I see that while national leaders voice noble statements, the situation on the ground continues to be quite different.. For those of historical bent, this reminds one of the Stalinist " salami tactics". Apparently, "natural growth" is to be limited to but one ethnic group. This sort of national attitude bodes ill for the future.
How can Israel go into a territory that it does not own, cut off the people there from their own water supplies, and then demolish the entire place? How barbaric.
there is no problem, muslims don't control the land, they lost several wars, and loser is always last place and out the land until they agree to make peace, so there is no problem here
It's all power and military strength. The IDF has the guns and has shown the willingness to use them. Witness Deir Yassin. Witness Operation Cast Lead. Might makes Right for the IDF and the current Israeli government.
Expropriation
If Israekl didn't want to follow them she should not have signed them.
"If Israel didn't want to follow them she should not have signed them. " - They didn't.
nothing says "let's be friends" more than bulldozing a village!
nothing says "let's be friends" more than bulldozing a village!
How savage and rapacious do you have to be before the world ACTS against this iniquity?
Where are your sources? Where is the IDF narrative on this story? I too can make up stories on a whim...
go ahead and find the "IDF narrative" genius
"the idf completely destroyed a poor palestinian village in the jordan valley today and cut off its inhabitants from basic human rights such as access to fresh water. in the idf's defense, the style that the villagers' shacks were built in went out of style in the 60s and were thus an eyesore."
Why would Israel need the whole Jordan valley, which is in the west bank, not Israel to use as a firing range?
"All the land of the state of Israel belongs to Jews only" or "We have the right to take whatever we want whenever we want"
You've gotta be kidding, right? Of course, we all know that the IDF doesn't do anything wrong unless it does and it is caught on tape. Otherwise, it is the most moral army in the world and if you need a second opinion on that, ask them and they'll tell you again how moral they are.
we are an organ of the state.we do not make these decisions.when the executive makes such decision(although,in this case,probably defense minister)we carry them out.most of us would rather be on leave,than on desolate fire zones.most of us are conscripts,not volunteers.but once we've been thrust into a situation,we must perforce perform.this is true for most soldiers in history.finally-just stating facts,no offence intended-you speak from an idee-fixe,i speak from prolonged experience.
Mo, And what are the borders of your state of Israel, so we may know when you have taken enough
Everyone knows it will never be enough....