UN-OCHAOPT Report on the Takeover of Palestinian Water Springs by Israeli Settlers

[ An IDF soldier naps in Ein Al-Qaws Spring in Nabi Saleh.  Photo by Alison A. Ramer ]

This month, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Occupied Palestinian Territory (UN-OCHAOPT) published a report on the widespread problem of water-spring takeovers by settlers in the West Bank.  The report ties this widespread and troubling practice to attempts to control vital water resources in the West Bank, and the development of a "settlement tourism" infrastructure.

The report calls on the Israeli authorities to:

1. stop facilitating the transfer of Israeli civilians into the oPt, including by allowing the expansion of settlements;
2. Restore Palestinian access to the water springs taken over by settlers, and ensure their safety; 
3. Conduct effective investigations into cases of settler violence and trespass and prosecute those responsible; and
4. Adopt measures to prevent ongoing settler “tours” to springs located on private Palestinian property. 

The full report is here:  http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_springs_report_march_2012_english.pdf

There is specific coverage of An-Nabi Saleh on pages 15 - 18.