''Israel continues to violate International Law, and continues its theft of Palestinian lands" The Israeli military have warned residents of the Wad Ben Zeid valley that their homes will be demolished in preparation of another land-seizure by Israel in the occupied West Bank. Israeli troops invaded the valley near the city of al-Khalil (Hebron) where they handed eviction orders to residents whose homes are set to be demolished. Israel plans to seize 200 hectares of land, which is illegal under the Geneva Conventions. Palestinian officials said the move makes way for the building of more illegal settlement for Israeli citizens. ''They want to force the families out of their homes and lands. Those lands are owned by the families, but Israel continues to violate International Law, and continues its theft of Palestinian lands,'' said the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Rateb Jabour. Since its occupation of the West Bank in 1967, Israel has consistently built illegal settlements on Palestinian land. Over 500,000 Israelis are now living on occupied land in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem, the capital of the Palestinian state-to-be according to international law. The settlements control over 42% of the land in the West Bank. Recently, Israel announced plans to seize 400 hectares of land from Palestinian families in Bethlehem, while the Israeli minister of housing says he expects a 50 percent expansion of settlements in the next few years. Source URL |
