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Did you know? The planning and building system in the
territories impacts your life? "But I live in Ra'a'ana?"
You, like every Israeli, pay a lot of money to cause injustice and undermine
Israel's standing in the world. "Wha? What do you mean?"
The situation is like this. The West Bank is divided into three types
of areas: A, B & C. Areas A & B are highly populated and
under partial control by Palestinians. Area C is open and available
for building, and comprises most of the West Bank.
Palestinians also live there, but it is under full Israeli control.
In 1971 an order was issued to transfer the planning and building authority, once
under Palestinian control, to the army.
The army pays A LOT for officals who are supposed to plan for the Palestinians.
These bodies do not represent the residents as is
customary in a democracy. "It's problematic...but the Palestinians
live well on our dime!" Not really.
For the vast majority of the Palestinians villages in Area C, the army has not
developed a master plan which makes it possible to request a building permit and
get legal approval. In practice, according to the letter of the
law, these Palestinian villages can be demolished in their entirety--
some 200 villages. Also for the 17 Palestinian villages in
Area C that have received a master plan, the plan draws a line around the already
built area and prohibits any building outside of this line. This prohibition also
applies to private Palestinian lands. "The Palestinians build
anyway, no?" Wrong, the Palestinians have applied for
thousands of building permits since Israel took over control of the West Bank
and did receive permits. But since the 1980s most of their requests have been rejected.
"I am not saying this is okay, really. But, I have enough problems of my own. This is
not about me." It also effects you. Today, Palestinians in
Area C do not have the ability to legally build.
This leads to massive demolitions and increases hostility and despair.
All this unnecessary destruction costs you money.
"Invoice:" bulldozers,
security, lawyers,
military officials. These all cost money.
According to a UN report, in the first half of 2011,
342 Palestinian-owned structures were destroyed.
Of those, 125 were homes. As a result, 656 Palestinians were
forcibly removed from their homes and of those, 351 were children.
"Well, we have security needs that create an absurd situation. There is nothing we
can do about it." There is absolutely no security need for
the Palestinian planning and building committee to be in the hands of the IDF.
In the rare case that a decision by the Palestinian planning committee
conflicts with a security need, the IDF can intervene.
"So if not for security reasons, why does the army plan for Palestinians, do they
enjoy it?" Good question. Maybe the answer is in
what officials close to settler leaders wrote in their
strategic plan for building in the territories:
"The Arab population will continue to live in the same cities and villages.
Population density in these Palestinian communities will increase compared to Jewish
populations, which will inhabit vast areas for settlement."
Source: 'Bimkom" report
This is the reason that the planning committee in Area C also impacts you.
An injustice is occuring in our name.
It also means more expenses for the citizens of the country since
IDF planning is funded by Israeli money.
Worse, the crowding of Palestinians in disconnected enclaves and increased
destruction of homes make the entire area explosive.
Having two separate systems for planning-- that is, military for Palestinians and
civil for Jews, along with massive demolitions, weakens Israel's legitimacy in the world.
And all together this distances the possibility of a normal life.
Of course it effects all of us. "Ok, it is all correct, right now I am
involved in my affairs, our interests..." Exactly! Returning the planning and
building authority to Palestinians living in Area C needs to be
in the interest of each of us. Because of this Rabbis for Human Rights
along with Palestinian local councils and other Palestinian NGOs have
petitioned Israel's Supreme Court. It is an important step for us all.
"Woe to you who join house to house" Isaiah 5:8
(Woe to those who abuse their power to expand their homes on
account of the weaker among them)
Support us and receive more information at
Rabbis for Human Rights website www.rhr.org.il/eng
This video was produced on behalf of Rabbis for Human Rights