Demolitions and confiscations in communities facing expulsion

Israel's Civil Administration is planning to forcibly relocate some 27,000 Bedouins living in Area C in the West Bank. At first, 20 communities, comprising some 2,300 people, will be uprooted from the area of the Ma'ale Adummim settlement and relocated to a site next to the Abu Dis garbage dump, east of Jerusalem. Members of the Khan al-Ahmar community explain how the move will affect them.

The Civil Administration has announced a plan to "relocate" the 27,000 Bedouins living in Area C in the West Bank. In Jan. 2012, some 2,300 Bedouins will be forcibly transferred to a site near the Abu Dis refuse dump, east of Jerusalem, in blatant contravention of international law, which prohibits the forced transfer of protected persons. The expulsion will advance the splitting up of the West Bank by enabling expansion of the Ma'ale Adummim settlement, exacerbating the injustice.

In the past four months, the Civil Administration has demolished all the structures in Khirbet Tana, a Bedouin village of 250 people in the Jordan Valley. Following the completion of the demolition, on 2 March, only a mosque was left standing in the village. The demolition is part of Israel's ongoing attempt to expel the Bedouin from the Jordan Valley.

Last month, the Civil Administration demolished all the structures in al-Farsiya and in other Bedouin farming communities in the northern Jordan Valley, delivered dozens of demolition and eviction orders in additional communities, and confiscated water pumps.

Israel is effectively pressuring Palestinians to leave al-Hadidiyeh, a Bedouin community in the Jordan Valley, by denying building permits, repeatedly demolishing structures, and severely restricting movement. The community also reports harassment by settlers.

'Arab a-Ramadin al-Janubi is isolated in a Separation Barrier enclave that annexes a nearby settlement to Israel. Residents claim they have again been informed that they must relocate, although such a move contradicts Israel's explicit undertaking before the High Court.

The Civil Administration has issued orders to demolish most of the houses in the village of al-'Aqabah, which lies in the northern Jordan Valley, and many houses in other villages in the area. Israel's planning policy in the West Bank centers on preventing Palestinian construction and promoting expansion of settlements.

The village of 'Arab a-Ramadin al-Janubi is a Separation Barrier enclave. Residents say the Civil Administration recently demanded they relocate, contradicting Israel's explicit commitment to the High Court.

More than 200 Palestinians lived in Khirbet Qassa, west of Hebron. The village was an enclave in the area between the Green Line and the Separation Barrier, whose construction was recently completed.

Israel closed the Separation Barrier opening the children crossed to get to school in Bir Nebala. Their families have lived in East Jerusalem for decades, yet Israel does not recognize them as residents of the city or let the children study in East Jerusalem schools.