Israel seizes Palestinian lands in Bethlehem

A Jewish settler in a Palestinian agricultural field seized to start an illegal construction, Beit Jala, West Bank, 3 September 2019

Middle East Monitor reports:

Israeli forces yesterday [15 January] issued orders to seize hundreds of dunums of agricultural land in Bethlehem’s southern occupied towns of Al-Khader and Irtas.

The head of the Commission for the Resistance of the Wall and Settlements, Hasan Breijieh, told local media that the orders were issued to seize 350 dunums of agricultural land, with the aim “to expand Israel illegal settlements and bypass the roads of the Palestinian towns and villages in Bethlehem.”

Breijieh added that the move would “devour more Palestinian agricultural land and prevent Palestinian landowners from accessing their lands as the seizure will also take over 150 meters of land on both sides.”

Bethlehem cities, villages and neighbourhoods have been subject to increasing Israeli theft of land in favour of expanding illegal Israeli settlement projects.

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