Orthodox Jews overtake Palestinian village

Orthodox Jews overtake Palestinian village for religious ceremony

8 April 2010

Kifi Haris, Salfit district, Occupied Palestinian Territories, 8PM – Nearly 200 Orthodox Jews have entered the Palestinin village of Kifi Haris for the celebration of the anniversary of Joshua's death at his supposed tomb located in the village. Orthodox Jews have begun to set up tables, construct a prayer alter and make general preparations for the ceremony, which is expected to last until 6am and draw over 5,000 Jews. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) entered the village at 8PM and are severely restricting the movement of the residents. The city center has been blocked as well as all roads leading into the village. Soliders are stationed at the entrance to nearly every home in the village center.

"Residents are not leaving their homes, fearing attack from both Orthodox Jews and the IDF," according to village mayof Ahman Bozeih. This celebration has a history of Orthodox Jewish induced violence. In 1989,Mayor Bozeih's sister, Abtisam Bozeih, age 13, was killed by the Orthodox Jewish participants in the celebration. Live fire was shot through the familiy's home, fatally wounding Abtisam. Other commemorations have been marked by Orthodox Jewish perpetrated property destruction including Zionist and anti-Palestinian graffiti.

Kifi Haris is a village of nearly 4,000 residents located in the Salfit district. The village is just a few kilometers from the Aparthid Wall and Ari'el settlement, one of the West Bank's largest settlements.

ENDS

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