CPTnet
9 May 1998
HEBRON: SETTLEMENT EXPANSION IN THE BEQA'A VALLEY
by Jane Adas, CPT

On Wednesday, 6 May, Christian Peacemaker Team members with
Palestinian, Israeli and American friends, a dozen people in all,
witnessed a bulldozer and a rock crusher beginning work on Palestinian
land in the Beqa'a (Baka) Valley, which is located east of Hebron between
the two expanding Israeli hilltop settlements of Kiryat Arba and
Givat Ha Harsina.

The new work site is between Givat Ha Harsina and
the north-south by-pass road built in 1994 to facilitate travel
between settlements and to connect them to Jerusalem. The by-pass
road was built through the middle of farmlands belonging to the
extended Jabr (Jabber) family, causing them to lose farm produce
valued at $14,000 US.

Immediately north of a new east-west access road connecting the
settlement with the by-pass road, the Israeli government expropriated 66
dunums (16 1/2 acres) of Jabr family land for a gas station, now in the
process of being built. The Jabr family have lived in the area for
generations. They along with other families in this area
have recently received home demolition or eviction orders. Some have
been partnered with North American churches, through the Campaign
for Secure Dwellings, an effort help prevent home demolitions.

The new work site is about 200 yards beyond the new gas station. The
group attempted to walk over to the area, but were prevented from
doing so by Israeli military personnel, who said that because there
was trouble ahead, the area was closed. They were diverted to the
by-pass road where they were able to see Palestinians, settlers and
soldiers near the heavy equipment. At that point, a military truck
arrived and several soldiers in full combat gear ran to the site,
joined soon after by Israeli police.

The visitors reached the work area by a circuitous route. Both
Palestinian landowners who were attempting to stop the project and
Israeli soldiers guarding it told them that the settlers were building
a security road and wall, apparently designed to enclose and append
the area to the settlement.

Landowners, belonging to the Jabr and Sultan families, produced proof
of ownership, as well as a court order restraining the settlers. The
latter was effective two months ago when bulldozers were first brought
in, but failed to stop the work on Wednesday . The settlers claim the
land belongs to them. According to the landowners, the case is
pending in the high court. When asked, individual soldiers were
unable to answer why work was proceeding before the matter is legally
settled.