Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinian Bedouin Community Near Jerusalem
Jerusalem – Israeli settlers carried out an attack on a Palestinian Bedouin community near the town of Jaba’, northeast of East Jerusalem, intensifying fears of forced displacement in the occupied West Bank.
The incident has renewed concerns over growing pressure on vulnerable Bedouin communities living close to expanding Israeli settlements.
Local officials said the targeted community, known as Al-Ma’azi, has faced repeated harassment and violence aimed at forcing residents off their land. The area is considered strategically important due to its proximity to existing settlements and planned expansion routes.
Residents reported that settlers entered the vicinity of their homes, intimidating families and threatening further action if they did not leave the area. Such attacks have become increasingly frequent, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the community members.
The Al-Ma’azi community is home to around 40 families, with a total population of about 200 people. Nearly 70 residents are children, making the situation particularly alarming for humanitarian and child welfare groups.
Families in the community live under harsh conditions, with limited access to basic services such as water, electricity, and healthcare. Despite these challenges, residents have continued to remain on their land, viewing displacement as a loss of livelihood and identity.
Officials say settlers are seeking to seize land in the Jaba’ area to expand nearby settlements and link them together. This process, they argue, would further fragment Palestinian territory and restrict movement between towns and villages.
Bedouin communities around Jerusalem have long been vulnerable to displacement due to their location in contested areas. Human rights advocates note that these communities often lack formal recognition, making them easier targets for eviction.
In recent years, pressure on Bedouins has increased through a combination of settler violence, demolitions, and access restrictions. Residents say such tactics are designed to make daily life unbearable, leaving relocation as the only option.
According to official figures from Palestinian authorities, more than 33 Bedouin communities have been displaced from dozens of locations across the West Bank since late 2023. This has resulted in the forced transfer of over 2,300 people, many of whom have been displaced multiple times.
The displacement has had serious social and economic consequences, particularly for families dependent on herding and agriculture. Loss of grazing land and access routes has disrupted traditional livelihoods that have existed for generations.
Just last week, around 20 Palestinian families from the Shallal Al-Auja area north of Jericho were forced to move. They cited repeated attacks, threats, and property damage as reasons for leaving their homes.
Observers warn that continued displacement could permanently alter the demographic landscape of the central West Bank. They argue that settlement expansion and land seizures undermine prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
International organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about the treatment of Bedouin communities in occupied areas. They emphasize that forced displacement violates international humanitarian law and worsens humanitarian conditions.
Residents of Al-Ma’azi fear that without immediate protection, they may face the same fate as other displaced communities. Many families say they are preparing for the possibility of being forced to leave, despite having nowhere else to go.
Community leaders are calling for international attention and intervention to halt further attacks. They stress that protection of civilians is essential to prevent another wave of displacement.
As tensions continue to rise, the situation near Jerusalem remains fragile and unpredictable. For the families living there, the attack has reinforced fears that their presence on the land is increasingly under threat.
