Israeli authorities deny Salfit farmers access to olive crops

[ 25/10/2010 - 07:58 PM ]

SALFIT, (PIC)-- Israeli authorities continue to deny farmers in the west Salfit town of Masha access to their land located behind the separation wall to harvest their olives, as the farmers’ concern rises over settlers taking or damaging their crops, local sources reported Monday.

The sources said Israeli authorities claim computer failures have impaired their ability to issue necessary permits for farmers to pass through the wall’s gates west of the town.

In the same context, several Israelis residing in the Tafuh settlement in east Salfit attacked farmers in the town of Yasuf, taking their olives, and insulting and unleashing dogs against their women.

Witnesses said settlers came from the Tafuh settlement near the Za’tara checkpoint carrying firearms, and threatened the farmers and demanded that they leave the fields amid claims that the land was part of the settlement. The assailants attempted to take by force of arms a horse belonging to one of the farmers.

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian