TEL AVIV, May 28, 2015 (WAFA) – Recent works to renovate an
abandoned church in the southern West Bank are aimed at allowing illegal Jewish
newcomers to settle in the site, Wednesday revealed the Israeli daily Haaretz.
According to the daily, a non-profit organization controlled by
American millionaire Irving Moskowitz is the owner of the church compound near
Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, in the West Bank, which the buyers intend
to turn into a new Jewish settlement.
Haaretz reported that right-wing activist Aryeh King had
purchased the abandoned church compound and is refurbishing it ahead of
establishing a new settlement outpost at the site.
King, who specializes in buying Arab-owned real estate,
purchased the property three years ago from its church owners, Haaretz said.
The 38-dunum complex is located on the main road between Jerusalem and Hebron.
A source in the Gush Etzion Regional Council told Haaretz that
the property is owned by the Swedish church and belongs to them. The compound
is located near the illegal settlement of Karmei Tzur.
Settlements are illegal under international law as they violate
Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of the
occupying power’s civilian population into occupied territory. Settlers living
in the West Bank are also not considered as Israeli citizens in many countries.
The settler population in the West Bank is estimated at 531,000:
in late 2012 the population of the West Bank settlements was 341,400; in late
2011 there were 190,423 individuals living in Israeli neighborhoods in East
Jerusalem.
M.N/T.R
