Israeli Settlers Build Separation Wall, Assault Palestinian Farmers in West Bank

Israeli Settlers Build Separation Wall, Assault Palestinian Farmers in West Bank

Armed settlers from the hardline Jewish settlement of Yitzhar stand on a cliff overlooking the Palestinian village below (AFP)

An Israeli settler has been spotted razing Palestinian lands in Arab al-Malihat area, northwest of the occupied West Bank city of Jericho, in order to build a separation wall.

Suleiman Malihat, a Fatah official, told WAFA news agency that an armed settler razed 350 dunums of lands in order to build a wall that separates the dwelling from an illegal Israeli settlement outpost.

At the same time, settlers forced farmers out of their lands in the village of Kisan, to the east of the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem.

Ahmad Ghazal, from the Kisan village council, said that settlers from the illegal Israeli settlements of Maale Amos and Eli Hanahil kicked farmers out of their lands as they were plowing it.

According to Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, settler violence has become part of Palestinians’ daily life under occupation. Israeli security forces enable these actions, which result in Palestinian casualties – injuries and fatalities – as well as damage to land and property.

In several cases, Israeli forces serve as an armed escort or even join in the attacks. Investigations, if even opened, are usually closed with no action taken against perpetrators as part of an undeclared policy of leniency. The long-term effect of this violence is the dispossession of Palestinians from increasing parts of the West Bank, making it easier for Israel to take over land and resources.  

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