Not one indictment over damage to Palestinian olive groves!

Local Editor, 25-11-2009

Palestinians have filed 69 complaints during the past four years on damage to Palestinians' tress in Dafa [West Bank], yet according to the human rights organization Yesh Dinnot not one of the 69 complaints has resulted in an indictment.

The organization publicized a report on the issue Tuesday and makes specific reference to damage caused to olive groves, central to the livelihood of Palestinian villagers.

The olive harvest season is ending in most parts of Dafa [West Bank] this week, with the exception of those areas at higher elevations. Attacks targeting trees harvested by Palestinians - olive trees in particular, but also almond, fig, lemon and others - has been escalated in recent years.

During the past four years, Yesh Din filed 69 complaints which are under investigation by police in Dafa [West Bank]. The toll involves many thousands of trees in numerous areas, from Susya in the southern Al Khalil [Hebron] Hills to Salem.

According to the report, 27 cases (40 percent of the cases for which complaints were filed) were documented between January and October of this year. Despite "Israeli"  Forces claims that the olive harvest passed "quietly" during the months of September and October, the human rights group reported dozens of incidents in which hundreds of Palestinian trees were damaged.

According to the reports, not a single one of the 69 cases under investigation has led to an indictment of the suspects. Fourteen cases are still under investigation; another four are being evaluated by police and state prosecutors, and a decision waits on whether the authorities will press charges against the suspects.