Israeli state bulldozers demolish Bedouin houses in the Negev region

Tuesday May 22, 2007 11:51 by IMEMC Staff

A massive Israeli force composed of police units and Special Forces, backed with bulldozers and helicopters, stormed the unrecognized Arab Bedouin village of Ater, located in the Negev region, and demolished three houses on Tuesday.

Police forces did not allow any of the families to leave their homes and installed checkpoints around the area to ensure that they did not do so. With the checkpoints installed, the Israeli bulldozers moved in and destroyed four house after forcing the residents of these properties out.

Two of the demolished homes belonged to Khader Abu Al Qub'an, a father of 21 children who has a physical disability. The other two belonged to Ahmad Al Qub'an, a father of 20.

Ahmad had previously gone to court and won a decision whereby he would negotiate with the state for the granting of a building permit. The state did not listen and his home now lies demolished.

The Abu Al Qub'an tribe was forced by the Israeli government to leave its lands near the Israeli town of Rahat five years ago. The tribe was moved to the Negev region. For the past several years however, the Israeli state has been trying to move them again for it has plans to build a Jewish-only town in the area that the tribe currently inhabits.

Translated by: Ghassan Bannoura – IMEMC News Room

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