CONFISCATION ORDERS ISSUED FOR 356 DUNUMS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001178 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2018 TAGS: PREL PBTS KWBG IS PHUM SUBJECT: CONFISCATION ORDERS ISSUED FOR 356 DUNUMS IN JORDAN VALLEY Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. The IDF issued an expropriation order for 356 dunums (89 acres) of land near al-Hadidiya village on June 15 for the expansion of a military camp. Local Palestinians are concerned the expropriation will block the only road to their village. The PA has retained the Jerusalem Legal Aid Center (JLAC) on behalf of village residents to appeal the order, but JLAC told PolOff they are not optimistic and questioned the rationale for expanding a Jordan Valley military base. END SUMMARY. Land Expropriated for Military Base Expansion -------------- ¶2. (C) The IDF issued an expropriation order for 356 dunums (89 acres) of land belonging to residents of al-Hadidiya village (Area C, with about 100 villagers between Hemdat and Roi settlements). The undated military order (#T/08/08 signed by MG Gadi Shamni),delivered to residents June 15, announces expropriation of the land to expand a military camp. The land is adjacent to a small IDF base one kilometer northwest of Hemdat and east of a larger IDF base at the intersection of Hwy 578 and the road to Hemdat and al-Hadidiya. ¶3. (C) Tubas Governor Sami Musallam told PolOff on June 24 that area residents are concerned that the expropriated land surrounds the only road to al-Hadidiya village, and could block access to land used by livestock herders who keep flocks in/near Jordan Valley military zones and land attached to Roi settlement. Musallam acknowledged he has not yet received an official map from the IDF delineating the expropriation. The Civil Administration issued a notice to brief residents on June 26 about the expropriation and possible compensation. However, according to the Governor, residents did not attend out of concern that their attendance would legitimize the land expropriation process. Plans to Appeal the Order, But Success Unlikely -------------- ¶4. (C) On the residents' behalf, the PA retained the Ramallah-based Jerusalem Legal Aid Center (JLAC) to appeal the expropriation order. JLAC Field Supervisor Abdallah Hamad told Poloff June 25 that the law allows appeals of military expropriation orders, but they usually fail. He estimates that JLAC has handled over 200 cases similar to al-Hadidiya's without any success. Israeli regulations give landowners 10 days from the date of the order to file an appeal with the Civil Administration, and JLAC plans to lodge this appeal July 3. JLAC attorneys complained that the Civil Administration committee which reviews appeals is composed of "mostly settlers and military commanders with their own interests," and has no Palestinian representation. Hamad also expressed concern about expansion of the IDF's Jordan Valley presence. WALLES