The Destruction of Animal Sheds

The Destruction of Animal Sheds and Agricultural Equipment at the hands of the Israeli army in the Town of Tammun- Tubas governorate

February 2004

Location: The town of Tammun is situated 15 kilometers southeast of the city of Tubas.

Population: 11,000 Palestinians

Area: 98,000 dunums

Israeli Violation: The demolishing of animal sheds made out of Zinco in addition to the destruction of iron water storage barrels and the obliteration of a fence in the Makhrouq area located to the northeast of the town.

Palestinians Affected:

· Mr. Hafez Yousef Bani Oudeh. Damage included the destruction of 4 Zinco animal sheds, a total area of which was about 440 m². In addition, Israeli forces destroyed 30 water barrels. Each one of these barrels had a capacity of 200 liters. Moreover, destroyed equipment included a 4m³ water tank and a 600 meter long fence.

· Mr. Husain Asmar Ahmad Bisharat. Damage included the demolishing of three Zinco animal sheds, a total area of which was 410 m². Additional damage included the destruction of a 1000 meter long fence made out of barbwires.

· Mr. Ali Mohammad Mifleh Bani Oudeh. Damage included the demolishing of 4 Zinco animal sheds, a total area of which was 600 m². Moreover, Israeli forces demolished 30 iron barrels, a capacity of each was 200 liters.

These Palestinians indicated that Israeli soldiers threatened them to vacate the area along with their sheep under the pretext that it was a "Closed Military Area."

Names of Israeli settlements and camps established on Tammun's lands:

Al Boqeia'a (Boqei'oat): It was established in 1970. Its area is about 4,000 dunums and its population is about 1,000 Israelis.
Ro'eiya: It is believed that this settlement used to be a military camp after which it was developed into a settlement in the early eighties. Its area ranges between 2,000 and 3,000 dunums as it is settled by 500 to 800 Israeli settlers.
Arjuman: an Israeli military camp located close to Boqei'oat settlement.
Al Hamra checkpoint is also located on Tammuns' lands.

Mr. Abdullah Bani Oudeh (60 years old) indicated that the profession of sheep raising in the area has been carried out generations after generations. More than 80 families, according to Oudeh, has been living in the area scattered in a number of locations such as Al Faroush, Al Jiftlek, Al Makhrouk, Al Riwaq, Attouf, Abu Saliah, among other locations. He continued by saying that "due to the fact that we cannot build in these areas, we are only allowed to live in tents or animal sheds."

Israeli measures against Palestinian dwellers:

Mr. Oudeh listed a series of steps taken by Israeli forces throughout the years to force Palestinians living in the targeted area to flee. He indicated that such steps were taken as far back as 1968 as soldiers used to steel sheep and force their owners to pay a large fee to get them back. Sheep were also shot at and some of them were killed to force their owners not to come back to the area. Another measure taken by Israeli forces was the installation of mines throughout the area, leading to the death of a number of sheep as well humans as took place on April 9^th, 1992, when a mine blew up killing Mr. Oudeh's son, Mohammad. An escalation in the transfer policy, according to Mr. Oudeh, took place three years ago when an organized campaign was implemented to demolish animal sheds and tents as well as destroying agricultural equipment owned by the Palestinian farmers. The total area of these sheds exceeded 1500 m². Mr. Oudeh said that as a result of this action they had to move out yet they didn't go far as they believe that steadfastness works best if one stays in the land, rather than away from it.

Mr. Oudeh also recalled that demolishing animal sheds and destroying equipment are not the only methods used by the Israelis to force Palestinians out. Israelis, also, prevented the children from accessing their schools in the town of Tammun which forced their families to be divided into two sections; one section went to live in Tammun as to allow the children to go to school freely while the second section had to stay next to their farms and sheep.

Add to this situation the problem of water access. In the past, Mr. Oudeh reiterates, Palestinian dwellers used to get their water from the town of Bardalah and other nearby locations. Nowadays, this is forbidden by Israeli orders. So, Palestinians are forced to move water pipes during the night using dangerous and rugged roads which add greatly to the expenses of water transfer as well as putting the lives of Palestinians doing this transport in danger. In comparison, Mr. Oudeh mentioned that Israeli settlers living in the settlements have a great deal of water as they pump the access water into the valleys to prevent the Palestinians from benefiting from it.

In short, the problems faced by Palestinians living in the vicinity of the town of Tammun can be subcategorized into the following sections:

1) Water Problem:

The most severe problem faced by Palestinian dwellers in the vicinity of Tammun is water shortage due to the closure of the area as well as the intentional Israeli policy of forcing them to be evicted from the area. These dwellers are prevented from digging up their own wells and springs as well as being prevented from receiving water from the Israeli Water Company (Mekharot). Moreover, they are prevented from importing water pipes into the area as roads are mostly closed off in an effort to seal off the area.

2) Economic Problems:

Israeli aggressive acts of sheep killing, shed demolishing, road closure and property confiscation all added to mounting economic losses and a sharp rise in the cost. Such losses were reflected negatively on the family's social and health standards.

3) Social Problems:

Such problems include:

Forcing the families to separate and live in two separate locations to enable students to attend their schools. This situation led to social and psychological problems among family members due to the distance barrier.
Facing psychological and social pressures due to the fact that Palestinian dwellers live in a sealed area that prevents them from communicating with their immediate vicinity.
Facing excessive fear during transporting water pipes and animal feed during the night as Palestinians are sometimes arrested, beaten and interrogated under the sizzling sun or during freezing nights.