Israel demolishes Arab village in Negev for 100th time

Israel yesterday demolished the Arab village of Al-Araqeeb, in the Negev, for the 100th times since July 2010, Quds Press reported.

Occupation forces said the demolition took place under the pretext that the village was built on state land and lacked the necessary building permits.

Activist Aziz Al-Touri from the Negev said: “A large number of Israeli police accompanied with bulldozers stormed the village [on Wednesday] at dawn and demolished all the houses, tents and other facilities.”

He said that this is the 100th time the village has been demolished since 2010, but it is the second time since the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking to Quds Press, Al-Touri said the village was demolished after days of occupation forces harassing villagers who were taking refuge in the village cemetery.

He continued: “When we rebuild the village, we expect the Israeli occupation to raid and demolish it at any time.” He stressed that the “oppressive and inhumane” acts practiced against villagers would increase their love and insistence to remain living on “our land” even if it was demolished 1,000 times.

“We have never left our village despite all the previous demolitions,” he said, pledging to rebuild it once again.