For More Information, Call:
Land and Water Establishment For Release 4:30 p.m. Tel: (972) (02) 812364/824559 January 3, 1995 Fax: (972) (02) 811072
Clarification of what has been published by Yediot Aharonot related to Land and Water Establishment in Jerusalem
Yediot Aharonot published today, 3 January, an article on settlement activities in the West Bank, stating that the Palestinian National Authorities have decided to establish a Committee to Defend Lands from Confiscation, and that this Committee, together with the PNA, will work closely with the Land and Water Establishment in Jerusalem to organize demonstrations and legal activities.
Land and Water Establishment hereby clarifies that this Establishment is a non-governmental organization which functions independently with the objective of providing legal services to those whose lands and property are threatened by confiscation and destruction by any authority, and particularly in the case of the occupying Israeli authorities.
We would like to explain that Land and Water Establishment does not receive orders from anyone, but conducts its work independently. On the other hand we have no knowledge, and have not been informed about, any Committee established by the PNA for the purpose of defending Palestinian owned lands.
The already existing Land Defense Committee was established in august 1994 during a conference attended by owners of land which has been confiscated. This Conference was organized by Land and Water Establishment as part of its effort to defend these lands. Therefore linking Land and Water Est. to the PNA can be a justification for the Israeli authorities to attempt to close these offices.
** The Land and Water Establishment is a Palestinian human rights advocacy organization. The lawyers represent the people of Al Khader Village.