October - 2003

Background

The village of Jalbun is located 12 km to the east of the city of Jenin close to the green line.

The population of the village is estimated at 2500 people. The total area of the village land is 37400 dunum, of which 28000 dunum were confiscated in 1948. Recently, 2000 dunum were confiscated for the construction of the Separation Wall. The remaining area is 7400 dunums of which 540 are used as built up area.

The village and Wall

The wall travels 5 km in the village land. The number of affected farmers is 82. The landowners were informed of the military confiscation order which was issued the commander of the Israeli army in the West Bank (attached with this study is a copy of the order) on April 4^th, 2003. Actual works started on July 3^rd, 2003.

70% of the targeted land was planted with trees, 20 was used as grazing land and the remaining 10% was utilized for the cultivation of seasonal field crops.

The Wall was built over an area of 450 dunum classified as followed:

- 230 dunums were planted with at least 2300 olive trees which were totally uprooted;

- 40 dunums were cultivated with seasonal un-irrigated field crops and completely bulldozed;

- 80 dunums were used as pastors and destroyed.

The total area of land separated by the Wall is estimated at 1550 dunum divided as followed:

1. 1250 dunums are planted with about 9980 olive trees in addition to 6 dunums palnted with almond;

2. 100 dunum were used for the cultivation of un-irrigated seasonal field crops;

3. 194 dunums were used as pastors.

The distance of village houses from the Wall varies between 5 meters to 350 meters.

Problems and complexities created by Wall construction

1. The deprivation of at least 290 workers from reaching their workplaces inside the green line which, in turn, has aggravated poverty levels in the village;

2. The uprooting of more than 2300 olive tree and the separation of another 1250 tree, apart from the un-watered crop fields which have been separated from their owners and farmers in the village;

3. The increase of unemployment to unprecedented level of 65%;

4. The deterioration of nutrition levels among village inhabitants due to the decrease of purchasing power among them;

5. The increase of psychological problems among youth and unemployed which. consequently raises the level of crime and suicide attempts;

6. The lost of personal security and self-respect as a result of continuous physical and psychological attacks and harassment on part of Israeli military patrols guarding the Wall.