On 13th December a group of aproximately 10 settlers invaded the village of Al Miteh, in the northern Jordan Valley close to Hammanat Al Maleh. Two of the settlers were carrying M16 machine guns, clearly aiming to intimidate and terrify the residents of this small farming community. This is part of a pattern of increased settler presence around Palestinian communities over the last few days.

This community is living under constant pressure, with attacks by settlers and/or the Israeli military every few days. 3 months ago there was a serious attack by settlers who killed 70 of the farmer’s sheep.

Despite this onslaught of aggression, the families are steadfast and are staying on the land. As soon as JVS heard what had happened we coordinated with international volunteers to send a team to ensure there is an international presence in the village with a view to deterring further settler violence. By the time they arrived in the area the settlers had left Al Miteh and went to nearby Al Maleh – seeing the international presence they circled the area then left.

These two small farming communities are close to where the occupation is planning to build a new 22km long wall, which will separate Tubas from the Jordan Valley and farmers from their land.