Renewed army incursion into Kafr Ein ancient oak tree cut down
REPORT: After last night's incursion by the Israeli army into the village of Kafr Ein, when two internationals (Janne
from Denmark and Richard from the UK) were unlawfully detained by the army, this morning the IDF again entered the
village, this time with a bulldozer. They went to the natural spring belonging to the village and began to cut down an
ancient oak tree.
Up to 100 villagers from both Kafr Ein and the neighbouring village of Qarawat Bani Zeid staged a spontaneous peaceful
demonstration around the natural spring of the village to protest the cutting down of the tree.
IWPS is continuing to monitor the situation and to provide a visible international presence in the two villages, night
and day.
It has been reported that other villages in the area have also been experiencing violent incursions by the Israeli army
recently and IWPS is currently investigating this.
Please call the DCL and ask why the army cut down an ancient trees that belongs to the village of Kafr Ein.
DCL Ramallah, 02 997 0611
Liaison Officer Lt. Adam Avidan 02 997 0112
DCL Commander 02 997 0284
Background The village of Qarawat Bani Zeid has experienced continuing violence from soldiers entering the village
which has resulted in 9 deaths in the last year. The village of Kafr Ein has been invaded at least four times in the
last month. Villagers have been forced out of their homes at night for hours and made to empty all their possessions
into the street. Over 400 litres of olive oil has been tipped over possessions and inside houses, possessions have been
damaged. The villagers called IWPS to stay in the village as they were worried about the threats made to do more damage.
See IWPS Human Rights Reports on IWPS website.