Ein Korziliya 4th March 2015At 6 am on Wednesday 4th March ’15 the homes of three brothers from the Zeti Cottua Cosim family, were demolished along with the shelters for their animals. This is the 9th time these homes in Ein Korziliya, Al Jiftlik, have been demolished. They were demolished once in 2008, three times in 2012 and five times since 2013, with the last time being only a month and a half ago. In total 23 family members live in these three homes, the youngest being a two month old baby. Their homes have been targeted because of their close proximity to a natural spring, which the families use for water.

We, from the Jordan Valley Solidarity, went to give our solidarity to these families this morning after the soldiers had left. Other international volunteers from EAPPI were there already giving their support. We spoke to the father of the brothers about possible legal help, and he told us that through the law it is possible only to freeze a demolition order for a few years, but in no case in the Jordan Valley has a demolition order been removed through the courts. When we asked about what we could do to help, he told us he would like us to help build a shelter for their animals so they do not run away. We will try our best to help the families with this in the near future. On our way out, the international volunteers helped to rebuild the road leading to the houses, which the army had destroyed with a bulldozer in two areas.

We asked the father if he would ever consider moving somewhere else. He said “No”. As in the rest of the Jordan Valley, and around Palestine, remaining on their native lands, despite all of the tactics the Israeli occupation uses to drive them away, is the strongest form of resistance Palestinians can use against the occupation.