Original Message -----
From: Sylvia Jerusalem <

> Urgent Appeal on behalf of the citizens of Beit Sahour
> Call for immediate action
> Update on land confiscation and house demolitions in
> Beit Sahour
>
> We are in urgent need of your immediate assistance,
> especially from those who have any influence or
> contact with the Israeli government. Those of you who
> are aware of this vital issue know that during the
> Israeli incursion into our city in March 2002, Beit
> Sahour residents received an order for land
> confiscation for the first time in the area close to
> the illegal settlement of Har Homa, built on Jabal Abu
> Gnaim. This land legally belongs to Beit Sahour. It is
> a strategic location and close to the bypass road that
> the Israelis have been constructing over the last few
> months.  During the time of the papers being issued we
> were under re-occupation and strictly imposed curfews,
> which prevented us from taking any legal action
> against the order.
>
> Recently, we were informed by our lawyer, Jawad Bulos,
> that the court has refused our appeal against the
> order and stated the following: "the area is confirmed
> to be area C, after Oslo II, which is completely under
> the control of the Israeli Authority. All homes will
> be demolished because they do not have the "required
> permission to build in Israeli controlled areas." This
> is a contested claim; the area in question falls under
> the Beit Sahour Municipality's jurisdiction. The case
> will be heard presently in the Supreme Court of
> Israel. Our lawyer will put forward documents which
> prove the ownership of the land, including permits
> issued by Beit Sahour Municipality for construction
> work. The land is within the municipal boundary of
> Beit Sahour. Over 100 homes are under threat,
> resulting in 500-600 people becoming homeless.
> We are terrified of such actions and we know that when
> Israel decrees an order they do not care whether
> families will be made homeless in the process.
>
> We are at a critical stage: there is a great swathe of
> land being taken by Israel to the north of Bethlehem
> district, land that is rightfully Palestinian. This
> contravenes all International Conventions. Israel
> continues to disregard any resolutions made regarding
> their actions toward Palestinians, without any
> resolute action against them or rebuke. This conflict
> costs lives daily and the toll will continue to rise.
> Unless some steps are taken in the direction of
> justice then there is no chance of peace. The Israeli
> policy of house demolitions destroys our lives and our
> future, undermining any such efforts.
>
> Our Municipality is planning direct action in support
> of the affected families. Our lawyer is battling our
> cause on the juristic front, while others are prepared
> to engage in a campaign to face the oncoming of the
> bulldozers. The families, often with small children,
> are also in need of material help.
> We appeal to you to support us in this time of crisis,
> by initiating an international media campaign in your
> countries, informing your governments of our concerns,
> and showing determination in the face of injustice.
> Please forward this appeal to news agencies and to
> organizations active in social issues. We trust you
> will help us to prevent hundreds of families from
> becoming homeless.
>
> Fuad Kokaly, Mayor of Beit Sahour
>
>
>
>
> October 8, 2002
>
>
> Israel has ordered the demolition of over 100 houses
> and apartments located at Jabal Al Diek (Beit Sahour)
> - adjacent to the illegal settlement built on Jabal
> Abu Gnaim (Har Homa). Most of the houses are part of
> the Greek Orthodox Community Housing Project and the
> remainder are located nearby. Over 600 people will be
> made homeless.
>
> The land in question is owned by the Greek Patriachate
> in Jerusalem and an agreement was signed between them
> and the head of the Greek Orthodox community in Beit
> Sahour, Father Ibrahim Khoury. This agreement runs for
> 50 years and the terms state clearly that it is
> automatically renewable with the same conditions when
> it expires. The land area is 20 dunams and the
> agreement stipulates that it is to be used explicitly
> for the construction of homes. On 28 September, 1995,
> Beit Sahour Municipality issued building permits under
> the authority of the Beit Sahour Municipal Urban
> Planning Committee.
>
> n The Greek Orthodox Housing Project was established
> in 1996 and comprises of 15 buildings, each having
> four stories with two apartments on each floor. These
> apartments will house 120 families. As of today, 7
> buildings have been completed and are home to 23
> families. One more is under construction and the
> remaining 7 are yet to be built. Conditions of
> membership apply and one needs to be married, a
> resident of Beit Sahour, of limited income and not own
> a house to be eligible.
>
> The objectives of the society are as follows:
>
> n provide suitable housing for the Greek Orthodox
> Community in Beit Sahour;
> n strengthen their association to their land, limiting
> emigration;
> n stop Israeli land confiscations;
> n strengthen community relations and cooperation
> between members;
> n improve both social and economic standards of
> members;
> n provide work opportunities;
> n Cooperate to overcome economic difficulties in the
> Occupied Territories.
>
> Infrastructure work up to date:
>
> § The Beit Sahour Municipality is working on
> asphalting the road that leads to the houses.
> § Both electric and sewage systems have been
> established.
>
> In March and April, the city of Beit Sahour, along
> with other Palestinians cities and refugee camps, were
> under total Israeli invasion and imposed siege. On 29
> May, 2002, the Israeli army served papers on each
> homeowner in the project which notified them that
> their homes are scheduled for demolition and that they
> should cease building work immediately. There are
> three reasons stated for this action being taken:
>
> 1) That the homes are in close proximity to Har Homa
> (the illegal settlement built on land confiscated from
> Beit Sahour in 1995)
> 2) That the new Israelis-only road which is being
> constructed passes too close to the homes.
> 3) The homes are located in an area declared as C
> under Oslo II. This agreement states that building
> permits for new homes should only be issued from Beit
> El (Israeli authority) although the land itself is
> within the boundary of the Municipal Council of Beit
> Sahour.
>
> The families have engaged a lawyer to act on their
> behalf collectively. Objections were filed in court
> and the first hearing was held on 25 June. At this
> hearing the judge declared the case adjourned and set
> a new date for 25 July. This case was again adjourned.
> Even using the legal system has proved difficult due
> to the restrictions of movement imposed upon
> Palestinians. An international volunteer working at
> the Municipality has been going to and from Jerusalem
> to deliver the necessary documents and papers.
> Although foreign, she too is subject to arbitrary
> searches and abusive practices by soldiers at the
> checkpoints.
>
> On 17 September, 2002 the Israeli Authority from Beit
> El issued the order to demolish over 100 homes. On 29
> September, 2002 the case was submitted to the Israeli
> Military Court for Urban Planning in the West Bank.
> Documents of ownership of both the land and houses
> were presented, we are waiting for the decision.
>
> Having witnessed so much land already confiscated in
> this area and having made numerous attempts to prevent
> the Israelis from taking our property through the
> legal channels, we are not hopeful. Although we are
> given leave to appeal against these decisions, we
> never win. This is indicative of all cases between
> Israel and Palestinians.
>
> The community of Beit Sahour is a strong community and
> well known for its unity during times of trouble. We
> have arranged solidarity meetings at the location of
> the project and formed committees to follow up on this
> issue. Two solidarity demonstrations have been held
> where many citizens of Beit Sahour joined the families
> who have put so much hard work and money into building
> theses homes. We do not wish see their efforts reduced
> to rubble nor do we want to see the continued plunder
> of our land. In addition, we have appealed to all
> consulates and embassies to ask for their solidarity
> and support to prevent this threatened destruction
> becoming a reality.
>
> Please, your immediate intervention and action is
> needed to prevent this.
>
>
> Fuad Kokaly
> Mayor of Beit Sahour, on behalf of the Beit Sahour
> community
>