Walaja Olive Tree Destruction

Last week HLT staff members and volunteers participated in a protest against the removal of olive trees on Palestinian land by the Israeli military.  The removal of the trees began several years ago and led to a court case on the validity of the military’s claim on the land.  Up to this point there has been no official court decision on the legality of the area so it is currently forbidden for anyone, Israeli or Palestinian, to use the land.  Local residents asked the commander why he would destroy the trees without a court order, but there was no answer.  Later the commander told internationals and non-residents of Walaja that they had ten minutes to leave the area or they would be arrested.  The military then set up a flying checkpoint at the entrance to the city stopping every car and holding them there for up to one hour.  The next day two Walaja residents, Dr. Shireen al Araj and Dr. Mazin Qumseya were arrested along with five internationals who continued the protest.