Israeli settlers today chopped down dozens of fully-grown olive trees belonging to a Palestinian resident in the town of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, said a local official. Coordinator of the national committee against the wall and settlements, Hassan Brijieh, said settlers from the Israeli settlement of Efrat, built illegally on the al-khader town’s land, cut down around 50 olive trees belonging to a local resident. “Settler violence has long since become part of Palestinians’ daily life under occupation. Israeli security forces enable these actions, which result in Palestinian casualties – injuries and fatalities – as well as damage to land and property. In some cases, they even serve as an armed escort, or even join in the attacks,” said the Israeli information center for human rights in occupied territories, B’Tselem. “Investigations, if even opened, are usually closed with no action taken against perpetrators as part of an undeclared policy of leniency. The long-term effect of this violence is the dispossession of Palestinians from increasing parts of the West Bank, making it easier for Israel to take over land and resources,” said B’Tselem.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA