WEST BANK, April 12 – Israeli occupation forces yesterday kicked Palestinian farmers out of their land in the town of Beit Ummar, north of al-Khalil, in the southern occupied West Bank, said local activist, Mohammed Awad.

Awad told WAFA Israeli occupation forces, accompanied by a group of settlers, held a Palestinian farmer along with his family for over two hours in their 5-dunums of land before forcing them out of the land for lacking an entry permit.

Israeli forces prevented the al-Salibi family from cultivating their land, located adjacent to the Israeli settlement of Karmei Tzur, built illegally on Palestinian land to the south of Beit Ummar town, and forced them out of the land.

Forces further destroyed the iron poles placed by the family for the construction of a greenhouse.

To be noted, Palestinians whose land lies behind the separation barrier must obtain special permits – which are not easily granted and are often given to only specific family members - to enter their land.

According to the al-Haq Human Rights center, the Israeli occupation imposes restrictions on Palestinian farmers who want to access the olive groves located in proximity to settlements or behind the Annexation Wall.

“Palestinian farmers are required to apply for permits in order to be allowed entry into their own lands. Palestinians are often denied permits or granted insufficient time to adequately tend their land; these restrictions often become more severe during olive harvest season,” said the center.

In addition, during the harvest season, Palestinian farmers are often subjected to harassment and attacks by Israeli settlers, including the destruction, damage, and burning of olive trees.