22 Feb. 2008: Separation Barrier route isolates the village of Nu'man

B'Tselem today warned that the village of Nu'man has become further isolated by the Separation Barrier, completely severing the village from both East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Already, this isolation has gravely affected all aspects of life for the 170 residents.

The village lies in the southeast edge of the Jerusalem Municipality, but most of its residents do not have Israeli identity cards. While Israel invests heavily in the expansion of nearby Har Homa settlement, part of which is built on Nu'man's land, families in Nu'man cannot expand their homes and face the threat of demolition. The Jerusalem Municipality does not provide any services to the village, but it prohibits building there and recently issued orders to demolish a few houses .

In 2003, B'Tselem issued a report on impossible situation of the village. Since then, with the completion of the barrier, the situation has deteriorated. The only way the villagers can get to the West Bank is through a checkpoint staffed by the Border Police, which restricts passage to residents and a handful of service providers. Only five vehicles have a permit to cross the checkpoint. Mostly residents must make their way to and from the checkpoint by foot, carrying their purchases and other objects a distance of about one and a half kilometers.

The harsh movement restrictions imposed on the residents for years have paralyzed their economic life and greatly impaired their ability to receive health services and maintain family and social ties. On their way to school, the children are often delayed at the checkpoint while they and their bags are checked.