Coolassprov MC
01-05-07, 06:02
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=81844
Israel defends confiscation of Palestinian land
By Agence France Presse (AFP)
Monday, April 30, 2007
JERUSALEM: The Israeli Army on Sunday denied it was seizing additional land near Jericho in the occupied West Bank for the Jewish state's separation barrier. According to a military order seen by AFP on Saturday, the army told the village council in Bardaleh, north of Jericho, that nearly 59 acres of Palestinian farmland would be confiscated "for security reasons" to extend the barrier.
An army spokesman told AFP the order was not for seizure of new land, but an extension of an order issued in 2004.
"The works for construction of the barrier in this sector are finished. The confiscation order that we issued is nothing but a renewal of one that we issued in 2004," he said.
"In those cases where the closures are provisional, the confiscation orders have to be periodically renewed," he said.
He said those who own or use the land would be able to apply for compensation beginning on Monday.
The Palestinian Authority on Saturday called on Israel to cancel the order.
"We strongly condemn this decision and we call on Israel to cancel it immediately," said Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator.
Palestinians say that the 700-kilometer long barrier, made up of concrete walls and razor wire fences, is a land grab which eats up sizeable chunks of their promised state, separates farmers from their land and splits families. - AFP
Israel defends confiscation of Palestinian land
By Agence France Presse (AFP)
Monday, April 30, 2007
JERUSALEM: The Israeli Army on Sunday denied it was seizing additional land near Jericho in the occupied West Bank for the Jewish state's separation barrier. According to a military order seen by AFP on Saturday, the army told the village council in Bardaleh, north of Jericho, that nearly 59 acres of Palestinian farmland would be confiscated "for security reasons" to extend the barrier.
An army spokesman told AFP the order was not for seizure of new land, but an extension of an order issued in 2004.
"The works for construction of the barrier in this sector are finished. The confiscation order that we issued is nothing but a renewal of one that we issued in 2004," he said.
"In those cases where the closures are provisional, the confiscation orders have to be periodically renewed," he said.
He said those who own or use the land would be able to apply for compensation beginning on Monday.
The Palestinian Authority on Saturday called on Israel to cancel the order.
"We strongly condemn this decision and we call on Israel to cancel it immediately," said Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator.
Palestinians say that the 700-kilometer long barrier, made up of concrete walls and razor wire fences, is a land grab which eats up sizeable chunks of their promised state, separates farmers from their land and splits families. - AFP