TUBAS, June 4, 2006 (WAFA)- Israeli bulldozers have laid Friday the foundations for the expansion Maskiyot colony in Jordan Valley, as part of Israeli PM's unilateral plan to trace borders of Israel and to separate the Valley from the rest of the West Bank.

Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign said that the colony expansion expels Palestinians from their land in Wadi al-Maleh.

On May 21, the Occupation passed a decision to seize further 3000 dunams of Palestinian lands in Wadi al-Maleh to expand the colony which was built in 1990.

At that time, 150 dunams of village land from Tubas were taken to erect a structure where military, industrial and agricultural training courses are held.

Grassroots said the Israeli military, trainers and trainees usually stay for courses lasting 8 months. "The structure's expansion eastward, annexing more land, started at the beginning of this year and has been accelerated by the official approval of Israeli decision makers. Local residents already witness new colony construction springing up on their lands."

Grassroots added: About 40 farming families, comprising 250-300 people, live in tents on their land in the area slated for the colony's expansion. "Historically, farmers lived on these lands only during the planting and harvesting seasons. Presently, however, they have been forced to stay permanently as the isolation of the Jordan Valley makes movement almost impossible. Furthermore, under this new order, al-Helweh spring will be isolated from the farmers and shepherds that rely on this water for their animals, so farming will become a heavy burden."

"To implement the expansion plan, the Occupation attempts to expel these people from their land," Grassroots added. "Farmers have already been ill-treated and beaten, but they are determined to remain on their land."

It revealed "eight months ago, Occupation forces made a population count of Wadi al Maleh residents. Everybody that was in the area that day was given a number that from now on allows him or her to cross the checkpoint isolating Wadi al-Maleh. Any person who was not present that day is now completely barred from accessing or leaving the area."

"The repression and seizure of land and living spaces for the Palestinian population goes hand in hand with the isolation of the whole Jordan Valley," Grassroots said.

"The Occupation forces recently installed cameras at the checkpoints which block access to the Jordan Valley. These cameras cover vast areas surrounding the checkpoints in order to block farmers and workers that want to "infiltrate" their own land and property. The people see these cameras as escalating the siege against their existence in the Valley," it concluded.

(22:21 P) (19:21 GMT)