Press Releases

Enhancing Access to Land: Palestinian Resilience in Area C
Enhancing Access to Land: Palestinian Resilience in Area C

PR-EN/100619-22

In June 2019, BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights resumed its work on the agricultural road project in Al-Walaja on Al-Rwisat Mountain, an area that is within the Etzion colonial bloc and therefore under constant threat of Israeli annexation.

The project was initiated in 2018, as part of BADIL’s program to enhance the resilience of Palestinians in Area C facing the threat of forcible transfer resulting from a coercive environment. The road contributes to strengthening the steadfastness of Palestinians in their land while facing confiscation policies, in addition to other forced displacement policies like denial of access to land, natural resources and home demolitions. The establishment of the road has resulted in increasing access to farm lands in the area for approximately 35 families. This new phase of the project involves the construction of retaining walls and stone chains to keep the road from eroding and maintaining user safety. The project is implemented with the cooperation and support of the Al Walaja Village Council.

It is worth noting that this project is part of an alternative strategy aimed at empowering rights holders and enhancing the capabilities of the Al-Walaja residents to develop methods of resistance and to respond to Israeli forced displacement policies. In addition to this, the project aims to shed light on the coercive environment and the policies of forced displacement imposed by Israel on Palestinian communities in areas close to and within the Etzion colonial bloc.

For more information on the agricultural road, see Increasing Palestinian Resilience in Area C a short video spot highlighting community resilience projects in Area C and our infographic highlighting the Israeli policies of forcible transfer in Gush Etzion colonial bloc.