IN PHOTOS: Settlers march in Palestinian village
Sunday, 05 February 2012 08:04
On Friday morning, dozens of Israeli settlers entered the West Bank Palestinian village of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills. The settlers, who were escorted by the Israeli military, marched through the village in what seemed to be an attempt to intimidate and provoke Palestinian residents. Several of the settlers were armed.
Settlers approaching At-Tuwani (photo: Operation Dove)
According to Operation Dove, several Israeli military vehicles parked outside of At-Tuwani's entrance around 10:30 am. Dozens of settlers from the illegal settlement of Havat Maon arrived on foot around noon. They entered the village soon after and were escorted by the Israeli army. Settlers trampled on a resident's agricultural field and an olive tree was reportedly damaged during the march.
Settlers entering At-Tuwani with military escort on Friday morning (photo: Operation Dove)
Operation Dove adds that since January 29, Israeli settlers have damaged or cut down 17 Palestinian-owned olive trees in the area.
As settlers marched through At-Tuwani on Friday, they verbally harassed villagers. Witnesses report that the residents of At-Tuwani stayed calm.
Settlers marching through At-Tuwani (photo: Operation Dove)
Settlers and soldiers made their way through the village, stopping at a site that some Israeli archaeologists claim to be an ancient synagogue. Some of the settlers began to pray while others, Operation Dove says, "provoked the Palestinians."
Settlers and soldiers pass Palestinian villagers in At-Tuwani (photo: Operation Dove)
At-Tuwani is located in Israeli-controlled Area C. The village predates the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the neighboring settlements. Because Palestinian residents face violence from settlers, the Israeli army is supposed to escort the area's children to school. But it is often remiss in this duty.
Armed settler in the Palestinian village of At-Tuwani (photo: Operation Dove)
As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for ensuring that all residents' basic needs are met. While At-Tuwani has had electricity and running water for approxinately a year now, most of the surrounding Palestinian villages remain without it.