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