Palestinian Bedouins slam Israels forcible eviction

Israel is planning to evacuate 46 Bedouin communities from areas between East al-Quds (Jerusalem) and the Dead Sea, as well as between the cities of Bethlehem and Ramallah to a reservation in the city of Jericho, also known as Ariha, in the West Bank.

“This is against the international law. This is like crimes against humanity and this should be stopped immediately,” said Jamal Juma, a political activist.

Many countries have slammed Israel’s plan, while some others consider it as an attempt to support a future electoral campaign in Tel Aviv, as the cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is collapsing with early elections coming up.

“There is no doubt that this step comes in the context of supporting the coming electoral campaign that is led by the Israeli extremists attempting to gain the votes of the settlers,” said political analyst, Abdallah Abdallah.

The Israeli authorities have been going on with the plan of forced evacuation against the Palestinian Bedouins since 1949.

Tel Aviv has so far refused to recognize the rights of the Bedouins and denies them access to basic services.

In September, the UN urged the international community to block Israeli plans to relocate the Bedouins from the West Bank.

The implementation of the plan would stoke concerns as "it amounts to a 'forcible transfer' in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention," said Pierre Krähenbühl, Commissioner General for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

He added that the plan might also make way for further expansion of Israel’s illegal settlements.

HK

Palestinian Bedouins slam Israel's forcible eviction