HEBRON, August 15, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli forces quelled Saturday a weekly march protesting Israeli settlers’ attempts to takeover al-Baraka church compound near al-‘Arrub refugee camp between Hebron and Bethlehem.

Palestinian and international activists together with Christian clergymen took part in the march, raising Palestinian flags and crosses and chanting slogans condemning Israeli plans to turn the church compound into a settlement outpost.

Israeli forces attacked the march and assaulted protesters using their rifle butts, leaving several protesters bruised and injured.

The church compound has turned recently into a scene of ongoing Palestinian marches against its takeover with Israeli forces each time violently quelling protesters and beating.

In a statement issued in June 2015, Popular committee’s activist, Yousif Abu Maria, called on the owner of the building, who carries the Swedish citizenship, to issue a statement regarding the legal status of Beit al-Baraka building, which was constructed as a free tuberculosis treatment center, more than 70 years ago on 35 Dunams and was shut down in 1983.

To be noted, the attorney representing the owner of the building denied settlers’ claims that they purchased the property.

According to the Israeli Daily Haarez, “A non-profit organization controlled by American millionaire Irving Moskowitz is [reportedly] the owner of the church compound near the Aroub refugee camp between Hebron and Bethlehem on 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.’

“The site contains eight buildings, including a large central structure and several smaller ones. Over the years, a Presbyterian church operated there. Twenty years ago the church was turned into a hostel, but the business venture failed and the place was abandoned and left in ruins – although a Palestinian from the Aroub camp stayed in one of the buildings,” read Haartez.

It said, in a story published in May 2015 that, ‘The compound has been undergoing massive renovations over the past two months in preparation for the new residents moving in, but great efforts were made to hide the purchase and the renovations.’

Haartez read, “The massive reconstruction of the compound, which can house some 20 families, has been going on for the last few months to ready it for settlers to move in. There are several security guards on the site posing as workers. A new fence has been built, despite a stop-work injunction issued by the IDF’s Civil Administration in the West Bank, since no building permit for the fence has been issued. But no permit is needed for the refurbishing because the buildings, which stand at the side of Route 60, were constructed long ago, in the late 1940s.”

There are more than 500,000 Israelis living in illegal settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The settlements are in violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which establishes that the occupying power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.

The Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice have all confirmed that the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements and other settlement-related activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal under international law.

K.F./T.R.