Introduction: This paper showcases facts and figures about the Israeli annexation plan for the occupied Jordan Valley, which is considered the West Bank’s breadbasket. The plan is part of the US “Deal of the century” aimed at eliminating the Palestinian cause. This paper will attempt to highlight the projected impacts of the annexation plan on Palestinian women in this region. Snapshot of the Jordan Valley (facts and figures) The future of 65,000 Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley is currently hanging in the balance as they wait to see when and how Israel plans to annex the Valley and therefore isolate them from other areas of the West Bank. On January 28, 2020, outgoing President Donald Trump officially announced his Middle East “Deal of the Century”, presenting a concept paper that would allow Israel to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank thus leaving Palestinians with control of over only 15% of historic Palestine. However, according to the Israeli organization “Peace Now”, the area of the Jordan Valley Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to annex is larger than even that proposed in the Trump plan. According to the “Deal of the century”, Israel is allowed to annex approximately 964 square kilometers but according to the plan Netanyahu put forth, the area slated for annexation is around 1,236 square kilometers of the Jordan Valley. The repercussions of Israel’s annexation plan for West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley will be ‘catastrophic” for Palestinians. One of the major objectives of this plan is to take control of water resources, especially in the Jordan Valley, which will adversely impact the West Bank breadbasket in its entirety. The annexation of the Jordan Valley will result in the Palestinians losing 560 to 600 million cubic meters of water in addition to the loss of many economic opportunities of no less than $3.5 billion. It will also threaten Palestinian food and water security given that most West Bank areas depend on the agricultural produce of the Jordan Valley such as vegetables. Violations against women in the Jordan Valley: After the announcement of the annexation plan, there was an uptick in the number of violations in the Jordan Valley, particularly in residential and agricultural areas, including Israeli army and settler raids and property vandalism in a bid to drive Palestinians off their land. The following violations were recorded as part of a survey conducted by MIFTAH.
These violations make women more vulnerable to health risks such as miscarriages. When their areas of residence are closed, this negatively impacts their ability to reach clinics or hospitals to receive treatment. It also hampers the ability of preventative medicine teams and the Ministry of Health from maintaining a presence in their areas, which has exposed these communities to the spread of Covid-19 over and above direct Israeli army and settler violations that leave them vulnerable to the virus. Psychological impacts:
International law and annexation:
Testimonies of women in the Jordan Valley: As part of this factsheet, a group of women living in the Jordan Valley gave their testimonies about measures taken by Israeli occupation forces after the “Deal of the Century “was announced. They also gave a description of their daily lives and the intimidation, anxiety and mental exhaustion they suffer. Following are some of their testimonies: Subhiyeh Abdallah Ahmad Zubeidat: A Palestinian farmer from the Zubeidat region of the Jordan Valley, Zubeidat stated: After the annexation plan was announced, Israeli occupation authorities opened a road connecting the town of Zubeidat with nearby settlements, which resulted in an increase in settler attacks. Furthermore, the Israeli army changed the streets at the entrance to the town and prevented Palestinians from building their own playground. They also uprooted palm trees here.” She then explained how the army sent threats to the village council, threatening the residents with displacement and with cutting off electricity and water supplies. She expressed her fear and concern over the frequency of settler and army raids into the town over the past year, saying they ruined property, attacked residents and arrested youth. She admitted she is always afraid for her husband and children, especially her oldest son, from being arrested or killed. Intisar Mohammed Ahmad Nawawra: A Palestinian farmer from the Fasayel region, Nawawra spoke about the rise in the number of house demolitions in her region since the annexation plan was announced, which in turn has heightened her anxiety and fears, especially over her children. She also said the Israeli army sent them threats about cutting water and electricity supplies. Firyal Jamil Hussein Sawafta Sawafta the head of the Bardala Women’s Center and said that immediately after the annexation plan was announced, settlers pitched tents at the border of the town and then began to build a settlement named “Makhula”, which was expanded in close proximity to Bardala. They also demolished Palestinian homes on the mountaintop and stole private land there. Sawafta maintained she did not receive any direct threats from the Israeli army but nonetheless felt threatened by the increasing number of Israeli military drills in the area. “You feel like you are in a warzone, not in your home,” she said. “We are afraid of raids, attacks, of being forced to leave our homes and land and losing everything we own. You feel sad and frustrated over the condition of your town, your neighbors and your family.” Amneh Hassan Ahmad Sbeitan: Sbeitan is a woman from the Jiftlik area of the Jordan Valley. Since the annexation plan was announced, she said there were no new measures taken by occupation authorities but that the entire town continues to live in a perpetual state of fear and tension over the unknown future. “Of course, I am also afraid; I worry about whether my daughters will be able come and go to university and not be turned back. If they are not allowed through, where will they go? I also worry about accessing health services in an emergency. Should we leave? Move? Or should we stay?” To view the full Factsheet as PDF
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