Press Release

The PNA threatens nine Palestinian families with Forced Eviction

Ref.,: 22/2000

Date: 16^th February, 2000

PCHR expresses its deep concern over the future of nine Palestinian families who live in the north of the Gaza Strip, after they were given notice by Palestinian National Security Forces, that they would be evicted from their houses. These Bedouin families have been living, since 1956, on public land, north of Beit Lahiya City and east of the Israeli Dogit Settlement, in the north of the Gaza Strip. More than fifty families reside in this area, parts of which are located in the ‘Yellow Areas’ under Israeli security control according to the Interim Agreements. Nine of the families live in an area under Palestinian security control.

According to testimonies gathered by PCHR fieldworkers, Palestinian security forces began bulldozer activities near the homes of these families more than a month ago. At the end of January, one of the residents was summoned to the office of the General Security Directorate in Gaza City, and was informed by an officer that the population would be evicted in order to establish a housing project for security officers. The residents were given ten days to leave thier properties. On 12 February 1999, Palestinian security forces arrived at the site with two bulldozers and attempted to demolish the houses. But work was suspended after the inhabitants refused to leave their homes.

No solution has been reached, and no further action has yet been taken in this case, but the matter remains unresolved. In light of these developments, PCHR emphasizes the following:

1) PCHR is aware that the disputed land is public land, which the PNA has the right to administer or to manage in accordance with Palestinian public interest and development needs.

2) However, PCHR is deeply concerned about the future of these nine families, composed of 35 persons, including children, women and elderly people. These people will become homeless if their houses are demolished. Thus their economic and social rights will be violated, especially their right to adequate housing.

1. PCHR is surprised that the initiative to destroy the homes came from Palestinian Security Forces, rather than the Minister of Housing, this is contrary to the proper legal procedure in such cases. By proceeding in this manner, the residents of the area would be left with no redress for damages or compensation. At the same time, such an approach opens the possibility for other governmental bodies, other than the Ministry of Housing, to take similar actions.

4) The forced eviction could have very serious consequences if the Israeli occupation forces decide to follow suit and evict more than forty-five families living in the nearby land under Israeli security control, in order to expand the settlement.

5) PCHR calls upon the PNA to reach a compromise with the affected families, in a way that will guarantee the arrangement of other alternatives to house them, and to ensure that they will not become homeless.

6) PCHR calls upon Palestinian citizens to refrain from appropriating public land, without the proper authority, as a means to solve their housing problems.