Nabi Elias, Far'un, Sun 16.6.13, Morning
08:30 Nebi Elias
We met with H., A., S., who serves as adviser today concerning infrastructure and development co-ordination for Jayyus, Falamya and Nebi Elias. Continuing from our last meeting, he doesn't have any complaints right now about permits etc., but more about security problems and conflicts with the IDF. He is an educated man with broad horizons (a journalist by profession), who suggested that we organize a meeting with the heads of the villages of 'Azzun, Jayyus, Nebi Elias, Kh Aslah, Habla, Falamya, Izbat al Tabib, and Kfar Thulth to coordinate positions, and give a joint presentation of the problems. Such a meeting would also enhance listening and understanding. Of course we happily accepted the suggestion and complimented him on the initiative and the goal which he took upon himself. From there, we continued to Far'un.
10:30 Far'un
Far'on is a village south of Tulkarm, near Taibe to the north. There hasn't been a visit from MachsomWatch there for a long time, and they were enthusiastic about sharing their troubles with us. The head of the village, M.A., an energetic man who speaks English well, told us that the village is very close to the separation fence and has a population of about 5200, mostly farmers. In the past, about 600 dunam of agricultural land were taken from them for the purpose of building Sha'ar Ephraim and the military installation. Another 4000 dunam were included in the seam area
, lands which were separated from Irtach along the road to Enav Avnei Hefetz, at a distance of about 10 km. from Gate 708.
They have one gate, 708, which is on the western side of the village, and opens 3 times a day for half an hour each time. The lands belong to a lot of owners, and they have relatively a lot of plots. Usually, about 500 requests for permits are submitted, and about 200 are granted. The way in to the lands from the gate is quite long, difficult to traverse with a harsh topography.
They are asking for an additional agricultural gate which would shorten and improve the approach to their lands, and also that the present gate be open all day. Aside from olive groves, they also grow vegetables, za'atar and citrus, which need constant and intensive care. They are asking to simplify the process of registering ownership on their lands in Area C. They request that the roads that they prepare for agricultural work movements not be damaged, they also ask for permits for agricultural equipment to go through, and that they receive the permit for the water purification treatment, something which they already asked for half a year ago.
After the meeting, we went on a tour along the fence, and we saw the remains of 10 houses which were destroyed in one day in 2007, on the grounds that they were too close to the fence. We saw the closed agricultural gate and its proximity to Sh'ar Ephraim. We observed the abandoned soccer field, where playing is forbidden, because of proximity to the fence.