Tuesday, April 24th 2007

      This is clearly reflected in the number of the Palestinian families who had to flee the community to live within the boarders of Jerusalem or to live in a place where moving out of or into Bir Nabala is easier; work on the WALL is now complete and a fixed check point at the entrance of the community is completely controlling the movement of people. A large number of commercial / business stores had to close because of the deteriorating situation in the community, in addition to the sudden reduction in the number of rented houses in the community and the reduction in licensing and bill services payments by residents. All of this has affected negatively the available budget for the local council of the community. The local council is still following several court cases regarding confiscation of the land for building the WALL. During February 2007, the Israeli occupation forces entered forcefully the office of the local council and confiscated all available computers, council stamps, files and maps, financial records and files and all available files and documents in the office. The Israeli soldiers also damaged some of the files and furniture in the office. Two days after this incident, the Israeli forces also attacked and entered forcefully the Public Park project area and delivered an order to the council saying that work on the Park should stop immediately and that within a period of 45 days, the council should prove ownership of the land, if not then all construction on it will be directly destroyed.

      According to the head of Bir Nabala local council, the land being used for the construction of the Park is within the boundaries of the community and is located on a land owned by the local council.

      On the other hand, on February 28th 2007, the Israeli Occupation forces have confiscated the solid waste collection vehicle owned by the local council under the pretext that the location of the duping site being used is illegal and not licensed. The location of the dumping site is within the boarders of Bir Nabala community and the land used is owned by the local council. The Israeli forces ordered the local council to find other alternative dumping site. The local council cannot afford to find other alternative site since it is already facing a financial difficulty and cannot cover its debts.

      On the other hand, since several years and until now Bir Nabala community (Al Wad area) is suffering from the direct effect on health and environment in addition to damage for local agriculture caused by the flow of wastewater coming from the nearby settlements, namely Giv'at Ze'ef and Ofar military base. The main line discharging to Al Wad area serves also Bir Nabala, Al Jib and Al Judeira communities.  The effect of this problem is more during summer season.   

      The previously mentioned Israeli measures and harassment towards the local council and the community and its residents is a major obstacle that is prohibiting the local councils from doing its duties toward residents. The local council of Bir Nabala and its residents are calling upon all humanitarian organization and the International community to interfere and support the community.