Report by UN agency highlights the problems. Water springs are on private Palestinian land. In some, settlers built benches, picnic tables and parking space. Farmers are forced to change jobs because of the lack of water.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews/ Agencies) - Israeli settlers want to turn 30 springs into tourist sites in the area of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council (West Bank) with the effect that Palestinian farmers will be denied access to them, this according to a report commissioned by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories (OCHA), which was released yesterday, World Water Day. A few days ago, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) slammed Israeli West Bank settlers for abusing Palestinians.

Most springs in the Mateh Binyamin area are under settler control even when they are on private Palestinian land near the village of Awarta. Eyewitnesses say that the 30 springs have been fenced off or are patrolled by security staff from nearby settlements. In another 26 springs, Palestinians have limited access.

In order to get around the law, which bans grabbing land and springs without a government permit, settlers upgrade the water pools, installing new structures, and give the place a Hebrew name. The goal is to turn them into tourist sites in order to use the water.

In various sites, settlers set up benches, picnic tables and parking space. All these activities, the OCHA report notes, are carried out without permits.

"We used to use this water. [The spring] was a great source of water for us," said Sami Awad, who heads the village council in Awarta. "But whoever thinks of using it now is risking his or her life." In fact, three men from the area have been killed by settlers in recent years.

"Many farmers are either forced to cease cultivating the land as a result of the takeovers of the springs, or face a reduction in their productivity," said Ramesh Rajasingham, who runs the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories. "I think it's very serious," he explained.

A spokesman for Israel's Civil Administration criticised the OCHA report, saying it was partial and full of errors.

Efforts have been made to prevent illegal construction in Area C, which is under Israeli control, the spokesman noted.

"If access to any individual is being denied by any person that individual should submit a complaint to the police," he said.

• israel
• palestine
• west
• bank
• awarta
• mateh
• binyamin
• water
• springs