Seeking to live on the land they own, 21 Palestinian families finished new houses and moved into Al Aqaba in the West Bank's "Area C", pioneering a remarkable model. Their town gave them building permits per their zoning plan and they invested all they have, thankful that no demolition orders were issued in the past 10 years. Suddenly, twelve families with homes still in construction are at risk. To prevent demolition, they must move in as soon as possible. Please help them finish their homes.
Per the Oslo Accords, 'Area C', the 62% of the West Bank controlled by the Israeli Army, was to be transferred to Palestinian jurisdiction.That never happened. Instead Palestinians struggle to keep their land as they face discriminatory policies that displace them. In 2008, when Israel's High Court ruled the village would remain standing, Al Aqaba became safe from demolitions. Suddenly in Jan'22, the Israeli Army demolished a home still in construction. Families seek exemption from demolition.
Al Aqaba Village is asserting their right to exist by doing what towns do: plan, zone, & issue building permits. They filed their master plan in 2013. Israel's Commander of the West Bank himself must now approve it to qualify the village for Army-issued permits. Residing in their homes for at least 30 days may also exempt houses from demolition. Diplomatic assistance can help. Your gift seeds the revolving loan fund to get them moved in. Their repayment will help other families in the future.
Al Aqaba created a viable community when the Israeli Army agreed to stop live-fire training in their village in 2002. In 2011, Rebuilding to Remain pioneered construction finance in 'Area C' when no banks offered loans. No longer able to wait for a reply from the Israeli Army, they created their master plan & launched their own building permit program. They piped-in water, opened tea and goat cheese factories. Their guest house welcomes everyone who comes in peace - this is what peace should be.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
