B'Tselem: 58% of Ofra's land is Palestinian

The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in The Occupied Territories (B'Tselem) revealed that 58% of the built up area of Ofra settlement is established on lands that are still registered under the names of their Palestinian owners; a further proof of the illegality of this colony.

B'Tselem demanded that the settlement be dismantled, and the land returned to its Palestinian owners.

The existence of Ofra, B'Tselem said, is responsible for extensive violations of the human rights of Palestinians living in the area. The immediate violation is of the right of property of Palestinian landowners, on whose lands Ofra was built.

The establishment of Ofra has also resulted in infringement of the right of property of Ein Yabrud citizens, who own farmland adjacent to the settlement's built-up area. Their access to this land has been severely restricted in recent years, impairing their ability to gain a livelihood from farming the land. The geographical location of Ofra in the heart of a densely-populated Palestinian area creates a partition between Palestinian villages in the area and impedes the villagers' freedom of movement.

Recently, Israeli officials have repeatedly emphasized Israel's commitment to dismantle the illegal outposts in the West Bank. Given that Ofra is an illegal outpost, Israel must dismantle the settlement, return to the Palestinian landowners the land that was illegitimately taken from them, and remunerate them for the use of their land.