For More Information, Call:
Land and Water Establishment For Immediate Release: Tel: (972) (2) 824559/812364 26 July, 1995 Fax: (972) (2) 811072 email: lawe@netvision.net.il
EL KHADER UPDATE
Following the registration of a complaint with the police on 23 July by Land and Water Establishment, the Israeli Civil Administration has today (26 July) ordered the removal of the tents set up by settlers from Efrat on the hill belonging to El Khader. It is as yet unclear if the settlers will follow these orders, or if they will remain on the hill in defiance of Israeli law. At the same time, the Civil Administration served a similar administrative order against the tent in which the Palestinians are maintaining their vigil.
This morning the settlers from Efrat stated that they will not leave the hill, and called upon mobilization of settlers to join them in their illegal action.
The residents of El Khader have not let this latest aggressive action against their land go unanswered. They have maintained a 24-hour vigil across from the site where the settlers have put up tents, and have called for a demonstration with all peace groups for Friday 28 July at 12:00 pm.
In further aggressive activity:
This morning, 26 July, a bulldozer began working at the site where the settlers have built tents. The people of El Khader successfully stopped the work, despite opposition from the settlers present. The soldiers came and ordered the bulldozer to quit its work and for the group to disperse.
This afternoon, 26 July, two settlers came in a car to the Palestinian tent where the Palestinian vigil is taking place, and threw a gas-bomb into the center of the tent. Fortunately the bomb did not detonate, and a complaint was registered with the police.
Israeli peace activist Dani Netizar, who is participating in the vigil with the El Khader residents, has been threatened by a settler. The settler came to the Palestinian tent and threatened to kill the activist if he did not leave. A journalist from Ha'aretz photographed the settler, and a complaint has been registered with the police.
Land and Water Establishment is a non-governmental organization, dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. Their activity concentrates on land confiscation, property destruction and environmental issues.