Israel’s new settlement plan to displace thousands of Bedouins: Rights group

A non-profit civil rights group has warned that the Tel Aviv regime’s latest plan for the construction of five new settlements in the Negev region of southern Israel threatens to force thousands of Palestinian Bedouins from their homes.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) warned in a statement that the construction of the new town of Daya on the top of the Katamat village would displace its 1,500 Bedouin residents.

The ACRI further noted that another 6,000 Palestinian Bedouin people would be uprooted as a result of Neve Gurion, which is meant to be built on the Be’er Hadaj village.

Israeli authorities have been carrying out forced evacuations against Palestinian Bedouins since 1949.

The demolition of Bedouin homes is part of Israel’s massive land grab policy, which will forcefully displace thousands of people.

Tel Aviv has so far refused to recognize the rights of Palestinian Bedouins and denies them access to basic services.

Human rights groups say the latest move will lead to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians living there.

On November 22, the Israeli regime approved a plan to establish five towns in an area populated by Palestinian Bedouins in the Negev Desert. Israeli Housing Minister Yoav Galant praised the Israeli cabinet’s approval of his plan.

Two more Palestinian youths killed in West Bank

Meanwhile, Palestinian officials say two more young Palestinian men have lost their lives in a fresh round of violence between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters in the occupied West Bank.

On Thursday morning, Israeli forces shot and killed a 21-year-old Palestinian, identified as Yehya Taha, when clashes broke out during an Israeli raid in the town of Qatanna, located 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) northwest of al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Locals said Israeli troops stormed Qatanna at dawn, ransacking homes and detaining several residents.

Violence flared as Palestinian youths clashed with Israeli forces. Israeli soldiers fired stun grenades, rubber-coated steel bullets and live rounds. Taha was shot in the head and died immediately.

Israeli forces also fatally shot a 51-year-old Palestinian man, identified as Hassan Samer Seresi, at the Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, when he allegedly sought to stab an Israeli soldier.

Tensions between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue unabated. The fresh wave of unrest was triggered by Israel’s imposition in August of restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds.

Palestinians are also angry at increasing violence by Israeli settlers who frequently storm the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. The Palestinians say the Tel Aviv regime seeks to change the status quo of the compound.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 100 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds of others injured since the Israeli regime began a harsh crackdown on the Palestinians in early October.

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