Human Rights Report No. 350

Date of incident: 08.04. 2008
Time: 1 a.m.

Place: Haris, Salfit District
Witness/es: Owner and neighbours

Contact details: IWPS withholds this information as a courtesy to those involved – we will do our best to furnish you with all the relevant information you might need to begin action.

Description of Incident:

Nabil Thawarta from Bethlehem, owner of a selling yard for cut stones, tiles and pillars at the Haris Junction, reported to IWPS volunteers, that settlers have ransacked his property, causing approximately 16.600 NIS damage. According to his statement, residents of Haris living close to the junction noticed disturbances at around 1 a.m. on April 8th, 2008. They witnessed at least five Israeli settlers turning over and breaking many of the stone pillars and tiles in the yard. The witnesses also reported that the settlers had two cars, a red Toyota and a white GMC van. The incident took place in clear view of the Israeli army watch tower on the other side of the Haris junction, only about 200 meters away. However, the Israeli soldiers did not intervene to stop the settlers from destroying the private Palestinian property. The owner, who lives in the neighboring village of Qira, assed and documented the damage the next morning together with the Haris municipality. With the help of the Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din he also filed a complaint at the Ariel police station. Over a month later, he has not heard back from the police.