End the Uprooting of Trees

In response to Israel's policy of uprooting trees in the Occupied Territories, B'Tselem and Green Action to plant trees on Tu B'Shvat (Jewish Arbor Day).

In the last few months, the IDF has uprooted thousands of trees in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, claiming that stone throwers and gunmen hid behind them while carrying out attacks on Israelis. The IDF has also cut off branches and razed orchards using similar excuses. Since the 29th of September, in Nablus District alone, 2,200 trees were uprooted and 2,100 more were damaged and cut down. In Salfit District, 90 trees were uprooted and another 700 were damaged and cut down.

IDF uprooting of trees in the Occupied Territories is by no means a new phenomenon. Over the years, the IDF has uprooted tens of thousands of trees in the Occupied Territories, whether to build settlements, expand roads and lay infrastructure, or, as in recent months, on lands in areas alongside roads, from which gunmen and stone throwers allegedly seek cover when throwing stones or firebombs or shooting at passing vehicles.

These actions are forbidden by both Israeli and international law:

• Under international law, the destruction of private property is permitted only when clearly dictated by military necessity. The current situation does not constitute such a case.

• The harm caused to landowners is extremely grave and has prolonged consequences. An olive grove takes five years to begin producing oil. Uprooting these groves, which are the sole livelihood of entire families in some cases, causes severe long-term financial damage.

• The policy of uprooting trees is a form of collective punishment, which is forbidden by international law. Landowners, who did not necessarily participate in stone throwing or shooting, are the chief victims of this policy.

• Despite the gross violation of the landowners' rights, the IDF uproots trees without warning and without enabling the landowners to appeal the decision.

• Landowners whose groves are uprooted do not receive any compensation for loss of income due to the military's actions.

When the damage is so great and the anticipated military advantage is negligible, damaging private property is illegal.