Yesterday, Tuesday, 21 January 2003, Israeli security forces destroyed dozens of structures in the Nazlat ‘Issa Market. Nazlat Issa is a Palestinian village located in the Tulkarm district in the West Bank.

On Monday, 20 January, 2003, B’Tselem issued an urgent letter to the Defense Minister.

In the letter B’Tselem warned that demolishing the market would severely violate the human rights of hundreds of residents and constitute a breach of international law which binds Israel as the occupying force in the Territories

The demolition of these stores will have a dire impact on the economic situation of the village and the surrounding area. The market was not only a primary source of income for the dozens of vendors and their families, but was also where hundreds of farmers sold their agricultural produce.

On January 20, B’Tselem issued an urgent letter to the Defense Minister calling on him to withdraw the order to demolish the market in Nazlat ‘Issa, In the Tulkarm district of the West Bank.

B’Tselem called upon the Minister to take the necessary measures to legalize the businesses in the market, or find an alternative solution that would not harm the livelihood of the vendors and their families.

B’Tselem warned that demolishing the market would severely violate the human rights of hundreds of residents and constitute a breach of international law which binds Israel as the occupying force in the Territories.

Over the last several days, the Civil Administration notified store owners in the Nazlat ‘Issa market of the imminent demolition and ordered them to clear out their merchandise. Demolishing the market will destroy the principal source of income for the residents of the village and its vicinity.

B’Tselem called upon the Defense Minister to find an alternative solution that would allow these families to make a living.

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