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Settlers burn 45 dunums of land in Far’ata
Latest News, Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, September 28th, 2008

A group of settlers set fire to land belonging to residents of the village Far’ata, located east of Nablus, with flames consuming 45 dunums of village agricultural land.

Above: Settlers look on under the protection of Occupation soldiers

On 19 September, a fire was started in the northeast part of village land, meters from the Zohar Gilad settlement. Farmers had prepared crops of barely and wheat in the area, but had avoided entering it on account of the assaults they face at the hands of settlers. These attacks have happened regularly since the settlement went up on the outskirts of the village.

For the past five years, settlers have attacked farmers and residents. In addition to physical assault, settlers often destroy or steal agricultural machinery. Burnings are also frequent, occurring primarily during the harvest season.

Throughout the past three months, settlers from the Yazhar settlement have attacked a number of villages, targeting residents and setting fire to land and property. These incidents have happened most frequently in the villages of ‘Asira al-Qibilya and Burin, were settlers operate under the cover of Occupation soldiers. Soldiers, who are present to protect the settlers, often fire on village youth. In ‘Asira, a local boy was martyred during one of these incidents.

During this time, settlers have destroyed over 100 dunums of agricultural land in these villages, as well as 12 dunums more in the western village of Dir Istiya.

Above: Fires set by settlers during harvest season cause heavy losses to local farmers.