Settlers guarding seized Hebron structure
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Settlers sleep at house
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Palestinians complain of 'double standards' in Hebron
Palestinian man says was banned from entering rented property in Hebron by Israeli security forces although he possessed all necessary documents
Palestinians in Hebron have accused the Israel Police and the army of failing to inspect the legality of ownership documents presented by Hebron settlers who occupied
a structure claimed by the Palestinians.
Issa Amer, a Palestinian youth from Hebron, said that Israeli soldiers and policemen banned him from entering a house he had rented for 6,000 shekels a year and had planned to share with his future wife.
Palestinians say that Israeli law enforcement officials in the city use double standards in dealing with property ownership claims by Jewish and Palestinian residents of the city.
Staying Put
IDF, Civil Administration and police looking into ownership documents of house occupied Monday evening. Meanwhile, they say, settlers will not be evacuated. Last year, Palestinians documented two cases of settlers taking over Palestinian houses
Amer says that policemen told him they need to check the ownership of the house to ensure that he was not entering the property illegally.
Like other Palestinian residents of Hebron, he wonders why the law enforcement authorities failed to do a similar check on dozens of settlers who occupied a building in the city, claiming that they had purchased it legally in exchange for cash.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz is waiting for a conclusion on the legality of the ownership papers produced by the settlers before deciding whether to evacuate the settlers by force.
"When the evicted me I approached the civil administration and brought with me all the documents showing that the Palestinian from whom I rented the apartment was indeed the owner and showed them the contract," Amer said.
"The two Druze officers whom I met told me that the documents are real and legal and that within two to three days they would approve my entrance into the house so I can resume maintenance work," he added.
"Because I am a Palestinian who is meant to enter a house I rented from another Palestinian, they are fussy and conduct thorough checks," he said. "But when the settlers entered the building, no one took the trouble to check and be fussy about their documents."
"This proves beyond any doubt that there is no law in Israel and the territories. There is racism and discrimination," he said.
Amer added that he has pictures of settlers entering his rented property.
He accused Israel's leaders of backing plans to evict Hebron's Palestinian residents and replace them with Jewish settlers.
"This story proves yet again that the army and the civil administration are involved to the neck in plans to reduce the Palestinian population in Hebron," a Peace Now official said in response.
The army and civil administration failed to reply to a Ynet request for comments on Amer's strory.
