Jama'in

We left Rosh Ha'ayin at 9.40 am, Road 55 in direction of Emmanuel, to Jama'in village. We passed Azzun: no military vehicles.

We visited the Baladia, where we were well received in a well-furnished room, by the Mayor of Jama'in and several of his staff, among them a woman, and a visiting engineer.

The engineer told us that he and his Nablus Company do surveys and aerial maps all over the West Bank. The Mayor, a well-travelled technician, welcomed us warmly, inviting us to return. In spite of his many phone calls, he answered our questions willingly in his good English.

EDUCATION.

There are 6 schools: 2 basic (till 4th grade) for both boys and girls; 2 elementary and 2 high schools. After 4th grade, boys and girls are separate. Several youngsters attend University at Nablus, Ramallah and Tul Karem. Unfortunately, sometimes the graduates cannot find work in their fields.

ECONOMIC RESOURCES:

Jama'in is surrounded by quarries which produce the Jama'in marble, known for its good quality. Used for construction, kitchens, staircases and decoration, it is exported to the Gulf States and Europe. The quarries, the marble-polishing and the asphalt industries are very profitable to their private owners and employ most of the 13,000 villagers.

HEALTH PROBLEM:

All of these industries produce environmental pollution and also many cases of cancer. But because they are located on private lands, the Mayor is unable to impose laws or otherwise solve these vital problems. Nor can he carry out a municipal project to recycle the garbage from the quarries.

EXISTENTIAL PROBLEMS

(1) Most of the land on which the quarries stand is in area B. However, 25-30% of the village land is in Area C. In this part, heavy machines were confiscated: to retrieve them heavy fines must be paid; and, since 1994, they haven’t been allowed to work in these quarries.

(2) Electricity is supplied 24 hours a day. But WATER comes from Mekorot, which sometimes cuts the supply. Zeita village doesn’t receive enough water. They need help. They would like to dig a well: but the Israeli authorities do not allow this.

(3) Olive trees occupy 90% of the land in Area C. Members of Peace Now help them with the harvest.

(4) NEIGHBOURING SETTLE MENTS:

Ariel and Tapuach. Recently, settlers from Tapuach cut down 70 grown olive trees. Some two weeks ago, armed settlers entered someone’s land; when he asked them to leave, saying it was his private land, the settlers answered “What? don’t you know we are Jews?” and threatened him by pointing their loaded guns at him. The frightened farmer ran for his life.

(5) CLOSURE.

The NW entrance is sometimes closed off with blocks; so the villagers use the S. entrance, on the side of Ariel. However, sometimes that one too is closed off.