Despite Palestinian nonviolent resistance, Qalqilia village under threat of demolition

25 January 2007

After a year-long closure Israeli forces removed its barrier from the only road to the eastern Qalqilia District's Izbat. The village's 200 people have had to walk over a dirt and stone blockade in order to reach any other town in the West Bank, including Qalqilia seven kilometers away.

The main road built on Qalqilia lands between the northwestern West Bank governorate and Nablus further to the north is used by the settlers of some 21 settlements. Several farmers report, however, that when Israeli forces opened the entrance to Izbat they closed agricultural roads.

The Israeli military liaison office was built near the eastern entrance to Qalqilia between the village of Kafr Qaddum 18 kilometers to the east of Qalqilia and an Israeli settlement to the northeast.

The general population of Izbat is voicing fears that the Israeli Civil Administration intends to maintain the demolition order in place and destroy much it. The Palestinian Minister of Local Government told PNN that Israeli Civil Administration officers did indeed visit villages in eastern Qalqilia, harassed residents, and issued demolition orders to several houses.

The head of the local council pointed out that this is “part of the scheme to overtake more of the West Bank, 16 houses at a time as is the case in Izbat.”

The area has been a hotbed of local nonviolent resistance, including sit-ins and demonstrations that drew large-scale participation, including that of Palestinian members of Israeli Knesset.

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