Hamas slams Israel's Negev demolitions

Villagers and activists in al-Araqib light bon fires
as Israeli forces raze houses in the Bedouin village
in the Negev desert, July 27, 2010


Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=136482§ionid=351020202


The Islamic Hamas movement has condemned the Israeli regime for the demolition of tens of Palestinian houses in a Bedouin village in the Negev desert.

More than 1,500 Israeli forces attacked al-Araqib village shortly before dawn on Tuesday. They bulldozed all houses and uprooted hundreds of olive trees belonging to the villagers, AFP quoted activists who tried to prevent the demolition.

Israeli authorities claimed that the homes had been built without legal permits.

In a statement released later on Tuesday, Hamas slammed the move, charging Israel with efforts to expel Palestinians, over baseless excuses, out of villages and places where they and their fathers have been living for years, IRNA reported.

The movement also praised the villagers and activists who staged a "bare-hand resistance against the occupation forces and their bulldozers."

It further called on the Palestinians to stand up against Israeli plans to raze another 45 Palestinian homes in Negev.

Hamas also urged the Arab League and the United Nations to fulfill their obligations concerning Israel's escalating violations against Palestinians.

On July 21, Amnesty International reiterated its call on Israel to stop the demolition of Palestinian houses and other buildings in the West Bank.

The international rights watchdog condemned Israel's "unacceptable" demolition policy and charged Tel Aviv with removing the Palestinian population from the West Bank through razing their homes.

The Tuesday demolition displaced about 300 Bedouins -- desert-dwelling Arabs who have been living in the Negev desert for centuries.