The livestock sector in Khirbet Atouf in the northern Jordan Valley is suffering heavy losses due to the aggressive practices of Israeli soldiers and settlers as well as the neglect and lack of support by the Palestinian Authority.
Head of Atouf’s village council Ahmad Bsharat told the PIC reporter that the village is constantly attacked by Israeli soldiers and settlers who aim to force the residents out of the area.
Israeli soldiers and settlers on a regular basis carry out drills and break-ins in Atouf block Palestinian construction activities seize Palestinian property or destroy Palestinian crops he added.
Rich lands
Bsharat complained that despite being rich in crops Atouf’s lands are neglected by all Palestinian official bodies including the Ministry of Agriculture.
Deputy head of Atouf’s village council Abdullah Bsharat said that there are 11 water wells in the area. Only five of them are used. He said that water is sold at high prices putting so much burden on those working in the agriculture and livestock sectors.
Abdullah Bsharat said that the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture is required to play a significant role in protecting and supporting Palestinian farmers through many ways one of which is providing proper marketing for their products.
The Palestinian farmers’ losses have increased during the past month after the Israeli occupation forces destroyed many water lines which were the main source of water for over 22 families in Atouf.
Harassment
Representative of livestock owners in Atouf Lutfi Bani Ouda said that the farmers are facing great difficulties in raising livestock pointing out that the number of livestock in Ras al-Ahmar area fell from 20000 to 17000 because of the Israeli harassment.
According to Bani Ouda about 75 Palestinian families are living in Atouf. Most of them are livestock owners.
Bani Ouda said that Atouf’s farmlands are almost daily targeted with raids and demolition notices. Farmers are sometimes interrogated arrested prevented from entering their own lands or ordered to pay high fines.
He noted that vast tracts of Palestinian-owned lands in Atouf are used for military drills by the Israeli occupation army.
Israeli settlers’ attacks are another nightmare Bani Ouda added. The settlers destroy their crops and their bags of wheat flour and barley and mix them with animal dung.
The Palestinian farmer Jamal Bsharat protested the absence of support for the marketing of their livestock products especially after the door was widely opened for sheep imports which has adversely affected the local market.
He said that cheese is purchased from Atouf’s farmers for 9 NIS and sold in city markets for nearly 20 NIS. The larger part of the profits goes to traders.
