Posted on: Jyly 2011

Area C Fast facts

•  Over 60 percent of the West Bank is considered Area C, where Israel retains extensive control, including over security, planning and zoning.
• An estimated 150,000 Palestinians live in Area C, including 27,500 Bedouin and other herders.
• More than 20% of communities in Area C have extremely limited access to health services.
• Water consumption dips to 20 litres/capita/day (l/c/d) in communities without water infrastructure, one fifth of the World Health Organisation’s recommendation.
• Communities depending on tankered water pay up to 400% more for every liter than those connected to the water network.
• 70% of Area C is off-limits to Palestinian construction; 29% is heavily restricted.
• Less than 1% of Area C has been planned for Palestinian development by the Israeli Civil Administration.
• 560 Palestinian-owned structures, including 200 residential structures and 46 rainwater collection cisterns and pools, were demolished by the Israeli authorities in 2011.
• 1,006 people, including 565 children, lost their homes in 2011, over twice as many in 2010.
• Over 3,000 demolition orders are outstanding, including 18 targeting schools.
• The planned expansion area of the around 135 Israeli settlements in Area C is 9 times larger than their built-up area. (B’Tselem).
• Approximately 300,000 settlers currently live in Area C.

1. Most of Area C has been designated as military zones and for expansion of Israeli settlements, severely constraining the living space and development opportunities of Palestinian communities. While it is virtually impossible for a Palestinian to obtain a permit for construction, Israeli settlements receive preferential treatment in terms of allocation of water and land, approval of development plans, and law enforcement.

2. There has been a marked increase in demolitions in Area C this year. More Palestinians lost their homes in Area C in the first half of 2011 than in either of the past two years.

3. Most demolitions in 2011 affected livelihood structures, negatively affecting the sources of income and living standards of some 1,300 people.

4. In addition to restrictive planning policies, Palestinians living in Area C also have to contend with a range of other Israeli policies and practices, including restrictions on movement and access, harassment from the Israeli military and settler attacks, making daily life a struggle.

5. Demolitions drive already poor families deeper into poverty. Most demolitions in 2011 have targeted already vulnerable Bedouin / herding communities, who live in very basic structures, with no infrastructure and very limited access to services. Demolitions increase the dependency of these families on humanitarian assistance and have a range of negative psycho-social impacts, particularly on children. Many of these communities have suffered multiple waves of demolitions.

6. In some communities, families are being forced to move as a result of Israeli policies applied in Area C. Ten out of 13 communities recently visited by OCHA reported that families are leaving because policies and practices implemented there make it difficult for residents to meet basic needs or maintain their presence on the land.

Restrictions on Palestinian Access in the West Bank

Source:

http://www.ochaopt.org