Preliminary reports On Extraordinary violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces
The killing of humans hides the killing of trees and animals
Prepared by Land Research Center Jerusalem
April 18th, 2002
Introduction
The Israeli occupation forces continue to commit all kinds of crimes against the Palestinian people and his properties. These crimes are not only aimed at humans, but also at trees and animals whose results are no different from the deliberate killings of humans since the tree for Palestinians represents a big value.
The crime, whatever shape and size it takes, remains a crime and whoever gives no attention to it is, in fact, providing excuse for the perpetrator to go on with his atrocities. The Zionist disregard to Palestinian people and his legitimate rights stems from the Arab, Islamic and international silence and indifference towards his continuous crimes. This regional and international position encourages Zionism to commit more brutal and barbaric crimes in the future.
The crime continues in Faro’un, Tulkarem:
Location: the village is located 4 kilometers south of Tulkarem city along the borders between the West Bank and Israel. The town had lost 10 000 dunums of its land in 1948 war ( see map below).
Population: In 2001 census, the population of Faro’un were 5000 people, mostly live on agriculture and animal husbandry ( cows and chicken).
Target area:
The target area is called Al- Rahwat Al- Sharqia affiliated to Faro’un village. It has a total area of 1500 dunums. It is located near the main cross point of Taiba linking between Tulkarem and Israel. It is a fertile semi- hilly area cultivated with olive trees, fig trees, orange groves, wheat, barley and thyme which is considered to be the most important herb in Palestine.
The crime:
Since April 15th, 2002, the Israeli army bulldozers continue to devastate Palestinian land, trees and farms in this area taking advantage of the state of curfew imposed on the city of Tulkarem. The aim of this devastation process is to establish a security zone along the borders between West Bank and Israel by closing Palestinian land and destroying agricultural infrastructure in it. To do so, the Israeli army announced the area as a closed military zone, consequently, prohibiting farmers from reaching their land.
The following table provides data on losses inflicted against AL- Rahawat Al- Sharqia area during the period from 15- 18 April, 2002:
| No. | Farmer name | Devastated area in dunums | Type of trees, crop | Number of trees |
| 1 | Azmi Abu- Salameh | 20 | Wheat | -- |
| 2 | Bassam Assi | 11 | Wheat | -- |
| 3 | The family of Hadiya | 15 | Thyme | -- |
| 4 | Azzam Sharif Budeir | 6 | Thyme | -- |
| 5 | Mustafa Budeir | 15 | Thyme | -- |
| 6 | Mustafa Budeir | 11 | Fig | 160 |
| 7 | Abdul Latif Farisi | 13 | Orange | 290 |
| 8 | Hussein Qadoura | 30 | Olive | 450 |
| 9 | The famil of Hadiay | 125 | Olive | 1875 |
| 10 | Abdullah Salim | 18 | Olive | 270 |
| 11 | Zaki Arafat | 28 | Olive | 420 |
| 12 | Sami Adawan | 3 | Green houses cultivated with vegs. | -- |
| Total | | 295 | | 3465 |
The following table shows data on losses inflicted against Al- Rahawat Al- Sharqiya area during the period from 12-18 April, 2002:
| Number | Type | Number of dunums | Number of trees |
| 1 | Wheat | 31 | -- |
| 2 | Thyme | 36 | -- |
| 3 | Fig | 11 | 160 |
| 4 | Orange | 13 | 290 |
| 5 | Olive | 201 | 3015 |
| 6 | Green houses | 3 | -- |
| Total | | 295 | 3465 |
Artisan well paralyzed:
An old artisan well dating back to the pre-1967 Jordanian era is located in the target area. It provides water to more than 400 dunums of agricultural land according to a license given consecutively by the Jordanian, Israeli and Palestinian authorities. The well is owned by 30 farmers from the village of Faro’un. On 3.4.2002, the Israeli army vandalized the power generator and pump to stop the well from working.
Threats to demolish cow and poultry farms:
- A cow farm owned by farmer Salim Hazahza: on 15.4.2002, an Israeli army force notified Mr. Salim Hazahza with a military order stipulating the immediate evacuation of all cows from the farm within a week before it is demolished.
The farm is located in Al- Rahawat Al- Sharqia, half kilometer from the residential area. The Israeli bulldozers excavated all the land in the vicinity of the farm. The farm has a total area of 500 M2 in which 30 cows ( Frezian type) live along with 50 bulls. It is equipped with milking machines, fregs, a generator, veterinary material as well as fodder stores. The total value of the aforementioned equipment and facilties is estimated at 20 000 US $, in addition to 60 000 US $ the price of cows.
The owner is astonished at the Israeli intention to demolish his farm. He is unable to meet the Israeli occupation’s demand to evacuate his farm as he has no other place to send his kettle to. In fact, he is experiencing the most difficult part of his life. He prefers dying rather than seeing his farm being demolished. He extends an urgent appeal of help.
- A Poultry farm for farmer Sameer Radi Hazahza: ON 15.4.2002, an Israeli military force informed Mr. Sameer Hazahza of the need to evacuate his poultry farm located in Al- Rahawat Al- Sharqiya within a week time. He was told that the whole farm will be demolished because it is situated within a closed military zone. The farm is 1000 M2 meter hosting 4000 hens in the age of production. They produce 100 cartoons of eggs every day. The farm is equipped with up-to-date facilities whose total cost is estimated at 40 000 US $, in addition to 20 000 US $ as price for chicken. Mr. Hazahza called upon the whole world to pressurize Israel to stop its vicious acts of terror and illegal confiscation of properties.
