The IDF has set in motion preparations to uproot Israeli-owned Achiya Farm vineyards in the Shiloh area in Samaria as soon as next week. The agricultural lands were bought by Achiya Farms in 2006. The High Court of Justice recently approved the IDF Civil Administration’s request to implement a “disruptive use order” and uproot the vineyards, even though the Arab plaintiffs failed to prove ownership of the land. A “Disruptive use order” is executed in the event of an Arab complaint of invasion and the Jewish farmer must be unilaterally evicted.
The destruction is expected to uproot about 170 dunams of orchards and vineyards in the Shiloh Valley, which constitute about 40% of the agricultural activity of the Achiya Farm industries, which cultivates the land.
This type of order has been widely criticized by High Court Justice Edmond Levy, and in recent years its use has been discontinued.
David Zitzer, CEO of Achiya’s Farm, said that “we are in an inconceivable reality that even though the petitioners have not proved land ownership, about half of our farm is going to be uprooted because of a draconian order invented by Civil Administration lawyers and everyone admits it is blatantly immoral.” The Civil Administration’s “foolish attempt to uproot the farm by surprise in the midst of the harvest season and while they are discussing with us a compromise outline to reduce the damage to the economy is no less than a national disgrace,” he charged.
Who does the Civil Administration and their attorneys report to? They are supposed to report to the IDF and the Shin Bet (Israeli Police). Why does it seem as if the Arabs are in control? This injustice must be rectified!