Israeli settlers torch West Bank factory, burn 50 dunams of olive trees
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Israeli settlers set fire to the al-Omari aluminium factory in Ein Siniya, north of Ramallah, on Monday, destroying roughly 50 dunams of olive trees and damaging the facility's yard. The blaze is part of a settler campaign targeting Palestinian industrial facilities across the occupied West Bank to force displacement. Israeli soldiers prevented residents and workers from extinguishing the fire.
Key Facts
- The fire near the al-Omari aluminium factory in Ein Siniya destroyed roughly 50 dunams (12.3 acres) of perennial olive trees.
- Emad Khater, head of Ein Siniya council, said a settler from the Atara hilltops was seen near the facility before the fire started.
- Israeli soldiers prevented residents and workers from putting out the fire, according to Khater.
- In late July, settlers infiltrated the Ein Samia stone crusher and set fire to heavy equipment, causing an estimated $700,000 in losses.
- On August 21, about 30 settlers attacked an industrial facility in as-Samu, south of Hebron, damaging two excavators, three stone-cutting machines, three bulldozers, and a security office.
Ein Siniya Factory Fire
A blaze broke out near the al-Omari aluminium factory in the village of Ein Siniya, north of Ramallah, on Monday morning. The fire spread to roughly 50 dunams (12.3 acres) of perennial olive trees and caused damage to the industrial facility's yard. Emad Khater, the head of Ein Siniya council, told Al Jazeera that a settler from the Atara hilltops was seen close to the facility before the fire started. When the blaze broke out, Israeli soldiers prevented residents and workers from putting out the fire. Khater described the incident as one of a series of systematic attacks on Ein Siniya, including deliberate fires in trees, homes, and cars, as well as theft and physical assaults on workers.
Settler Campaign Against Industry
The fire comes amid a settler campaign targeting the West Bank economy, including farmland and industry, in a bid to displace Palestinians, sources told Al Jazeera. Abdul Samad Abdul Aziz, the owner of the Ein Siniya facility, said Israelis from illegal settlements infiltrated the industrial site in late July and set fire to heavy equipment. A stone crusher was severely damaged in the attack, causing an estimated $700,000 in losses. Settlers established an outpost on the road leading up to the site with their livestock after displacing local Palestinian shepherds. Abdul Aziz said that since settlers arrived in the area, vehicles and offices have been attacked with the aim of restricting the facility and pushing its owners to leave.
As-Samu Facility Attack
Khaled al-Zaarir in the town of as-Samu, south of Hebron, told Al Jazeera that about 30 settlers attacked an industrial facility he owned there on August 21. The attack followed repeated death threats by the group, according to al-Zaarir. Two mechanical excavators, three stone-cutting machines, three bulldozers, and a security office were damaged in the assault.
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Israeli settlers torch West Bank factory, burn 50 dunams of olive trees
