Area C Immediate threat of eviction of a Palestinian community in the Jordan Valley
December 30, 2013
Khirbet 'Ein Karzaliyah is located in the northern Jordan Valley, some three kilometers southwest of al-Jiftlik and some twenty kilometers east of 'Aqraba, on lands belonging to 'Aqraba. For about 25 years, it has been home to three families originally from the village of 'Aqraba, comprising ten adults and 15 minors . The families make their living from farming and herding, and rely on a nearby freshwater spring. The children attend school in nearby al-Jiftlik. Together, the families own three tents, six pens, five livestock sheds, two chicken coops and three flocks, totaling 750 sheep and goats. The families occupy the site nine months of the year, from September to May, and spend the summer months in 'Aqraba, because of excessive heat and water shortage. During this time, the flocks are kept in pens near the village.
In 1972, the army declared an area that includes Khirbet 'Ein Karzaliyah a closed military zone (no. 904), claiming it was required as a firing zone. However, residents report that, until two years ago, no military training had taken place there.
In 2003, the Civil Administration began ordering the families to evacuate the site on an almost yearly basis. It also destroyed some of their homes and facilities. The Civil Administration claims that it was only in 2003 that it became aware of the presence of the families at the site.
On January 19, 2010, Civil Administration officials served the families with orders instructing them to vacate the area within 72 hours, on the grounds that it was a closed military zone used as a firing zone. The families petitioned the High Court of Justice, represented by Adv. Taufiq Jabarin. That same week, the Court issued an interim injunction, putting the evacuation on hold pending further decision. At a hearing that took place about a year later, on January 31, 2011, the parties agreed to meet at the site, "In an attempt to find a practical solution to the Petitioners' problem, not necessarily in the area in which they are currently located." The families and their lawyer subsequently toured the area with state officials. During the tour, the families expressed their wish to continue living at the site and suggested they limit their migration to a 300-meter radius. The State rejected this offer. In a response submitted to the Court on November 24, 2011, the State argued that the site was required for military training and that since the Petitioners were not permanent residents of the area, they did not have the right to remain in it.
in full: http://www.btselem.org/jordan_valley/201312_deportation_threat_in_khirbet_ein_al_qarzaliyah
= new reply since forum marked as read
