PNA PROTESTS LAND CONFISCATIONS IN AND AROUND JERUSALEM
8 APRIL2000
JAMIL TARIFI, PALESTINIAN MINISTER OF CIVIL AFFAIRS, HAS SENT HIS ISRAELI
COUNTERPART IN THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI COORDINATION COMMISSION THE FOLLOWING LETTER.:
TO: Major General Yaakov Or,
Head of the Israeli side of the CAC.
From: The Minister Jamil Al-Tarifi,
Head of the Palestinia side of the CAC.
Subject: Confiscating Lands in Jerusalem Villages.
- On March 21, 2000, the Israeli Local Committee for planning and zoning in Jerusalem,
approved the confiscation of (658) dunums in Jerusalem. The decision in prospect will
swallow lands of El-Eisaweyah, Al-Tour, Bethany, Abu Deis, Ras Al-A’moud and Sour
Baher.
- The decision aims at opening and paving a road called “the Eastern Band” which
prevents the natural expansion of the said villages.
- We view the decision with utmost gravity and concern as it constitutes a flagrant
violation of the Interim Agreement, especially at this stage, in light of the current
intensive efforts of the two sides to attain a framework Agreement on all permanent status
issues.
- The referred to decision aims at imposing de facto facts on the ground and changing the
status of the area in violation of the Agreement.
- Furthermore, the above-mentioned decision preempts, and prejudices the outcome of issues
of final status negotiations in violation of all the reached Agreements.
- The referred to decision snaps back the momentum that has been built in the direction of
peace, and demonstrates that the Israeli Government is ostensibly committed to the peace
process.
Therefore; you are requested to intervene in order to revoke the decision
and declare it null and void if you intend to preserve the peace process.
Best Regards,
Jamil Al-Tarifi
Minister of Civil Affairs