West Bank, ALRAY - Israeli court of Beersheba recently approved eviction suits filed by the Israel Land Authority against the residents of Ras Jaraba village in the Negev region within the 1948 territories. The eviction aims to displace them in order to expand the Jewish city of Dimona and establish a new neighborhood on the ruins of the village.

The court also ruled that the village must be evacuated by the residents by the 1st of March 2024. Additionally, it imposed on the villagers the payment of fees for the so-called State's attorney, totaling 117,000 shekels.

On its part, Adalah center for Justice announced that it will file an appeal before the central court.

Adalah Center for Justice is representing the villagers of Ras Jaraba in 10 similar eviction cases filed against them by the Israel Land Authority in 2019. Israel claimed that the residents of Ras Jaraba are residing on their village's land illegally, as the land was registered under the name of Israel. They further indicated that the purpose of evacuating the village is to expand Dimona and plan for a new residential neighborhood.

Ras Jaraba village located east of the city of Dimona and falls within its jurisdiction. It is estimated to have around 500 residents belonging to the Al-Hawashleh, Abu Suleib, and Al-Nassasra families. Historically, this land is attributed to the Al-Hawashleh tribe and is known as Al-Sha'ireya or Al-Hawashleh Compound. It stretches from the Karnab area near the British Mandate Police Station to the Umm Dimna area, which includes a well-known water well. The first houses in Dimona were established on this land.