HEBRON, November 9, 2009 (WAFA)- Four Jewish youth settlers from Ma'on plowed Sunday privately-owned Palestinian fields in Umm Zeituna valley near the West Bank City of Hebron.
Christian Peacemaker Teams and Operation Dove said in a press release the settlers arrived at approximately 8:50am, chasing two Palestinian shepherds off the land throwing stones, before starting plowing.
Local Palestinian shepherds and international peace activists from Operation Dove called the Israeli police, who failed to respond to the incident.
Settlers worked for several hours and plowed the whole valley which is
situated on privately-owned Palestinian land and lies outside of Ma'on's
boundaries.
Local shepherds also reported that on Friday settlers from Ma'on, accompanied by Israeli soldiers, plowed a field near the Palestinian village of Maghayir al Abeed belonging to Hajj Hussein Daoud from the Palestinian city of Yatta.
The owner has filed several complaints regarding settlers violating his property rights. In recent years the Palestinian land owner requested the presence of Israeli police and the Israeli army during plowing and harvesting due to Israeli settler attacks.
Additionally, in recent days three privately-owned Palestinian fields in
Mashakha valley, adjacent to a recent expansion by the Israeli outpost of
Havat Ma'on, have also been plowed. Palestinian shepherds have told
internationals from Christian Peacemaker Teams and Operation Dove that
they suspect that settlers from Ma'on and Havat Ma'on plowed the land.
Due to settler violence and threats, Palestinians were forced to abandon
their homes in Umm Zeituna in 1998. Settlers from Ma'on and Havat Ma'on
continue to harass and attack Palestinians in the area of Umm Zeituna.
Despite the ongoing threats the area is still used by local Palestinian
community for farming activities, grazing their flocks, gathering herbs
and wood, and as path for traveling to the nearby city of Yatta.
In recent months settlers from the Israeli settlement of Ma'on have
further expanded the settlement by erecting six new mobile homes and
executing preparatory building work on land beyond the existing boundary
fence of Ma'on. In addition, the illegal outpost of Havat Ma'on also
continues to expand.
