Settlers ruin Palestinian livelihoods: the case of Salem

Salem is an agricultural village east of Nablus in the West Bank, numbering approximately 5000 inhabitants. It has been plagued by settler violence originating from the nearby settlement of Elon Moreh. Elon Moreh, a controversial settlement established in 1976 by national religious settlers, has been expanding ceaselessly to the detriment of Salem and other neighbouring Palestinian villages. The settlers, sanctioned by the occupying authorities, confiscate agricultural land on hilltops surrounding the settlement, and subsequently link these new settlement points to Elon Moreh by a system of by-pass roads. This tactic has created a substantial settlement center in the north-eastern West Bank, stifling Palestinian economic life in the area.

The inhabitants of Salem have suffered physical assaults from the hands of settlers, as well as attacks on their agricultural resources. Since the beginning of the intifada, thousands of olive trees have been uprooted and cut down. Here are some exerps from the AIC reports on settler violence, concerning Salem:

Oct 28 2000

Settlers from Elon Moreh prevented Ahmad Abu Shutayya of the village of Salem from working on his land. When he refused to leave they attacked him with stones and injured him.

Nov 22 2000

Settlers uprooted 44 trees in the village of Salem near Nablus and 31 trees in the village of Hares belonging to Rajeh Hendi, Ref'at Shaker and Abed -'Azeez Shareef. The settlers cooperated with the solders in the uprooting. In the village of Toura Al Sharqie additional uprooting of trees by settlers and soldiers occurred, as well bulldozing land.