• Violation:  confiscation orders on lands
• Date:  January 03, 2016
• Perpetrators: Israeli Occupation Forces
• Victims:  residents of the Old City of Hebron

Details:

The Israeli Occupation Forces issued two military seizure orders on lands located in the periphery of the Abraham Mosque in the Old City of Hebron. The orders came for objective of establishing new military checkpoints in the area. Note that the orders came in English and Arabic attached with maps illustrating the confiscation locations.

It is reported that the orders targeted an area of 1067m2; the area is explained as follows:

1. The order number (T/12/15): it was issued on January 03, 2016 targeting 137m2 founded in the southeastern part of the Abraham Mosque; more specifically in the area adjacent to the confiscated part of the mosque that was taken over in the aftermath of the massacre committed by extremist Baruch Goldstein in 1994. The massacre left tens of dead and injured Palestinians.

  

 

Photos 1-5: the military order

An aerial photo illustrating the confiscation location   

According to the legal department at Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, the orders mentioned the setting up of caravans and shades next to the stairs used by colonists to reach the taken over part of the mosque. The new checkpoints will be replaced with new facilities, the orders detailed.

The department also pointed out that the occupation will close the entrances of Abraham Mosque, which are four electronic and spinning doors.

It should be marked that the legal department objected to the order but no results were rendered in this regard from the Israeli side.

2. The order number (T/18/15): it was issued on January 03, 2016 targeting 930m2 to establish a new military checkpoint in the area known as Al-Salaymih that is 100m away from the checkpoint known as 160.

  

Photos 6-8: the military order

 According to the legal department of Hebron Rehabilitation Committee HRC , the order is meant to establish mobile checkpoints, rooms for body search, and portable toilets for soldiers at checkpoints. In addition, several cameras will be set up in the periphery of the aforementioned checkpoint.

It should be marked that the new checkpoint and procedures will be an add to the existing checkpoint number 160 and the Police Station in the area. The planned checkpoint is to be set up on a plot owned by Palestinians namely ( Abu Hamdyeh Gheith, Abu Aref Rajabi, and citizens from Al-Ajlouni family).

The legal department of HRC submitted pleas in regard to the planned checkpoints to the so-called Legal Advisor of Israel, who eventually turned the pleas down. Therefore, the department submitted other pleas to Israel Supreme Court, which are still under consideration.

HRC pointed out that the checkpoint will be established within three weeks starting from February 16, 2016. This information was received through the Palestinian-Israeli District of Coordination Office DCO.

Forcible displacement in the Old City of Hebron :

The attorney of HRC, Tawfiq Jahshan, said that the occupation is aiming at creating a state of terror to force people move out of the area. It is to achieve a full Judaization of the area through setting up permanent and temporary checkpoints and imposing restrictions on movement, entry and exist.  The greater plan behind emptying the Old City of Hebron from indigenous inhabitants is to replace them with new colonists.

The act of forcible displacement is considered a war crime according to Geneva Fourth Convention.

 

Photos 9-11: the cave of the Patriarchs and some of the checkpoints and watchposts

The international conventions regarding places of worship:

Article 27 the Geneva Fourth Convention stating: “Protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their persons, their honor, their family rights, their religious convictions and practices, and their manners and customs. They shall at all times be humanely treated, and shall be protected especially against all acts of violence or threats thereof and against insults and public curiosity.”

 Article 56 of the La Hague (1907) Convention of Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land stating:

“The property of municipalities, that of institutions dedicated to religion, charity and education, the arts and sciences, even when State property, shall be treated as private property.”

 Article 53 from Geneva Protocol (1977) banned all attacks again worship places which are considered the spiritual and cultural heritage of people.

 

 

Prepared by
 The Land Research Center
LRC