Systematic violence against Bedouin communities in the northern Jordan Valley
On 7th November 2012, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) clearly demonstrated their intention to forcibly transfer Palestinian communities out of area C.
Demolitions
In Bardala, the IOF destroyed two animal barracks and confiscated two water tanks belonging to Mohammad Tawfiq Sawafta in the early hours of the day.
At around the same time, in Khirbet Humsa close to Beqa’ot colony, the IOF destroyed the home of Ibrahim Abdelaziz, forcibly displacing a family of eight.
Around 3pm, IOF entered Al Maleh and issued over thirty families in a community of forty-one families with demolition orders with dates for the coming week, starting 8th November, threatening to expel hundreds of Palestinians from their land.
Additionally, increasing pressure has been exercised on the Palestinian Bedouin communities throughout the last weeks by illegally confiscating animals and agricultural equipment, including 29 water tanks, 13 tractors and one small bulldozer. To retrieve these, owners have had to pay fines between NIS 2,500 and 7,500. Moreover, large numbers of shepherds have been fined by IOF environmental officers for crossing Israeli apartheid roads, especially along Alon Road, in so-called ‘closed military areas.’ On a number of occasions, the IOF claimed that Palestinians should have used designated crossing points, which do not exist.
Using military training to enforce illegal transfer of Bedouin communities
It is obvious that the IOF is using the three-week joint US-Israeli military drill ‘Austere Challenge 2012’ as a justification to enforce the Israeli colonisation effort in the Jordan Valley – contrary to the Geneva Conventions. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits all forcible transfers. Only under absolutely exceptional circumstances, such as the security of the population of the occupied territory or imperative military reasons, can the transfer of civilian populations for the occupied territory be authorised. The ongoing military training is not a necessary operation, and does therefore not warrant the planned displacement of Palestinian Bedouin communities in area C of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Of course, ‘Austere Challenge 2012’ has once more transformed the Jordan Valley into a training ground for the IOF affecting communities predominantly in the northern part of the Jordan Valley, including Ibziq, Tayasir, Al Maleh, Al Farisiya, Al Hadidiya, Khirbet Humsa, Ras al Ahmar, as well as in the central part of the Jordan Valley, e.g. in Fasay’il. Increased military traffic comprising countless jeeps and trucks, heavy tanks, large planes and helicopters as well as temporary army camps taking up whole hillsides are ignoring the Palestinian communities living in the area, seeking to deny their existence.
Side by side
In solidarity, Jordan Valley Solidarity volunteers have visited affected communities and continue to support them to stay steadfast in their struggle to stay on the land they have inhabited for generations. Volunteers will be present in the villages in the coming days to stand side by side with members of the community, document human rights abuses perpetrated by the IOF and work towards accountability for the injustices committed in order to overcome the Israeli occupation and oppression.
