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Starving Residents into Expulsion: Farmers’ “Protest Tents” Targeted to Ensure no Land Access
Latest News, PENGON/Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, October 15th, 2003

The expulsion of Palestinians from the de facto annexed land behind the Apartheid Wall continued yesterday as some 50 Israeli soldiers invaded the area near the village Jayyus. The soldiers confiscated the identity cards of some 40 farmers and residents who had built tents on their isolated land, telling them their cards would only be returned at the Wall’s gate as people were forced to leave the area entirely. Residents were told that the gate will remain closed until the Jewish holiday ends and that thereafter “permits” will be required for anyone seeking to cross the gate. Numerous soldiers ambushed farmers, shooting at 19 year old Na’el Nofal as he approached the gate returning home from his lands.

Above: Jayyus farmers in a tent in the de facto annexed area. See more photos.

These actions, furthering the literal starvation of hundreds of families in Jayyus and tens of thousand in the northern West Bank, follow a military order from October 2nd, which refers to areas west of the Wall as beyond the “demarcation line” and a “closed military zone” where anyone—except Israeli citizens—cane be arrested and/or expelled. The anguish of the families whose land—their sustenance and livelihoods—has been stolen through the Wall cannot be emphasized enough; farmers continue to watch their crops not tended to rot and fruits not harvested fall from trees, all isolated behind the Wall, as their families go hungry.

Farmers living this reality and desperation were driven to risk their safety and lives by erecting tents to sleep in on land behind the Wall—in this way they were able to maintain their land yet were separated from their families. The raid by the Israeli forces yesterday evening, and the Oct 2nd military order, is yet another measure taken to ensure that residents are unable to subsist on their land and will be forcibly expelled.

Above: The shaded green areas show the agricultural land now isolated from Jayyus behind the Wall, indicated by the black line.

On the 14th of October, farmers in Jayyus gathered for a meeting on whether or not they would “coordinate” with the Occupation “Civil Administration” for permits to their land—the collective decision was that they would refuse to acknowledge this system and would not apply for such documents. As one farmer said, “Applying for permits would be a step in considering that land to be Israel—this is our land”. Rather the farmers are going to continue gathering at the closed gates in defiance to the theft of their land.

Despite the resistance and immense organizing of communities living near the Apartheid Wall, the reality of forced poverty and starvation is becoming increasingly harsh for residents. Too soon it may become unbearable for communities in the northern West Bank, as the Wall relentlessly continues to invade the lives of thousands.

Related Articles:

Grave and Blatant Next Step: Israeli Military Order Declares Wall “Demarcation Line”!

“Access Gates”: Jayyus Municipality Appeal Highlights Wall’s Institutionalization and Relentless Humiliation