Context
The Palestinian populations in the occupied West Bank have experienced a real cataclysm since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza. Murders, demolitions, expropriations and economic distress characterise the daily lives of the communities in Jenin, in the north of Palestine.
The Caritas network has been working for ten years with Palestinian populations in rural areas of the Jenin governorate. Caritas Jerusalem, with the support of Caritas Belgium, aims to support rural communities to diversify their income, develop durable agricultural techniques and to defend their rights together.
North and east of Jenin, the villages along the separation wall continue to be dispossessed. Hidden from view, farmers are regularly targeted if they dare to work on their fields. Houses are demolished on the pretext of “security reasons”. These disproportionate measures have led to the loss of entire agricultural seasons, confronting the Palestinian population with an exhausting economic reality.
Palestinian farmers living near Israeli settlements experience harassment, theft of livestock, arrests and even murder. These settlements, which are illegal under international law, continue to enjoy the support of the Israeli government, as well as economic links with Europe.
The economic situation has deteriorated further with the suspension of work permits for Palestinians seeking a decent wage in Israel. The cessation of tourism has also had a major impact on the local economy. The tax resources of the Palestinian authorities have also been frozen by Israel since October. These dynamics have plunged hundreds of thousands of families into financial distress.
Destroyed home in Jalbun (Anonymous)
As everywhere in occupied Palestine, reinforced Israeli security measures are being used to destroy Palestinian homes and infrastructure.
On 3 June 2024, Israeli forces demolished two houses in the village of Jalbun, adjacent to the separation wall East of Jenin. The pretext used was that they had been built without a permit. Many experts have pointed out that these building permits issued by Israel are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain.
A family of 13 people had been living in one of the houses since 1982. «They had an hour and a half to clear out their belongings before the bulldozers started up, lamented Khaled, their cousin and neighbour.
The dispossession of Palestinian land has increased over time. The construction of the separation wall in 2004, further intensified the fragmentation of Palestinian villages. Before 1948, the village of Jalbun covered an area of 3,300 hectares. Six decades later, around 750 hectares remain.
Mahmoud
I am a farmer from Jalameh, where I grow tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and cauliflower. Half of my lands were confiscated during the construction of the separation wall by Israel in the early 2000s. Having limited lands means I am forced to practice more intensive farming practices – although they might not be durable, I do not have a choice.
As my lands border the wall, they were designated as military zones by the Israeli army in October 2023. Since then I have been shot at around 5 times simply for being in my fields. I want to stay here on my land, and I will do so despite all the challenges.
Amjad
I live in the town of ‘Arraba which neighbours the Israeli settlement of Mevo Dotan. I used to travel for work in Israel, but more than 20 years ago I decided to work on and live from my land instead.
I herd sheep and also have olive trees, however my orchards are no longer accessible since the Israeli army designated the area near the settlement as a military zone in October 2023 (pictured). Settlers have burned my trees on multiple occasions.
I also lost access to my grazing area for my sheep, as I risk of being shot at by the soldiers. This means that I have to purchase food for my animals, which increases my cost significantly.
I have been arrested four times by the Israeli army since October, every time because I was simply in my field. The Palestinian authorities can do nothing to protect us.
Ahmed
I am 29 years old from the small village of Arrabuna. We’re a big family, with my wife and our one-month-old son Hatem, as well as my elderly parents and siblings.
I used to earn my living working on construction sites in Israel. When the Israeli authorities closed access to the territory in October 2023, my income was reduced to nothing. So was my ability to support my family. My wife is 19 and had to give up her university studies because of the high costs.
I’ve gone back to work on the family farm, but we desperately need help to make ends meet. We face stiff competition from other farmers, and I’m struggling to provide for our family.
I hope my son will have a better life than I did, and that my wife will be able to go back to school to pursue her dreams.
Sliman
I am 24 years old and I live in Al Mitilla, a small village in Jenin governorate with my family – my parents, my three sisters and my four brothers. When I was 10, I discovered that I had a gift with birds. Since then I’ve kept chickens, doves and chukars. With the help of social networks, I manage to sell them in my village and the surrounding area.
My dream is to buy an egg incubator to improve the quality and quantity of my birds.
Unfortunately, I’m under a lot of pressure as my family’s main breadwinner. Since the start of the war in October 2023, the economic situation has worsened for all of us.
My father suffers from joint problems. He struggles to move around and needs expensive medication to manage the pain. My 20-year-old sister has had to put her maths studies on hold, while my other 18-year-old sister has also been forced to give up her training as a beautician.
Yasmine
I am 28 years old from the village of Deir Gazzala. We are a young family with my husband Yousef, who is the same age as me, and our baby Bassem, who is just two months old. He is named after my grandfather.
My husband worked in Israel before October 2023, but since the closure of the borders we have lost our main source of income. We have no land to farm, and opportunities are desperately lacking at the moment.
Our lives have really changed since then. We were just married last year. We built our house with our own two hands. Today we still have to pay off 20,000 NIS (5,000 euros) in debts, but we can’t afford it.
We’ve stopped living. I only buy the essentials. I studied fashion and design at university. I’d like to buy a sewing machine to be able to support my family and especially my baby. I want to be able to make my own creations and follow my passion.
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For further communication and information please contact Victor Beaume – v.beaume@caritasint.be