In a fresh wave of tensions across the West Bank, Israeli forces issued “stop work” orders to Palestinian farmers in the village of Al-Jalameh, just northeast of Jenin, targeting over 20 agricultural outbuildings. These structures, which have been part of the community’s livelihood for years, cover approximately five acres of farmland along Nazareth Street. Village officials report that these outbuildings, used for storing farm supplies and equipment, are essential for local farmers who cultivate vegetables and support the regional food supply.
Al-Jalameh’s village council leader, Radwan Shaaban, condemned the move as part of a systematic effort to push Palestinians off their land in the northern West Bank. “These buildings have been here for years, and now they’re being targeted just as the harvest season is upon us,” Shaaban noted. This stop-work directive adds to a long string of obstacles that Palestinian farmers in the region face, from permit challenges to building restrictions that make even the most basic agricultural operations increasingly difficult.
Shaaban revealed that the current stop-work orders are part of a broader strategy employed by Israeli forces to limit Palestinian access to land and agricultural resources. Over the past year alone, more than 150 similar notices have been issued in Al-Jalameh, with three barns already demolished earlier this month. For residents, this escalating pressure feels like a deliberate attempt to undermine local economies and farming infrastructure, with an aim to erode Palestinian ties to the land.
This policy of issuing work restrictions and demolition orders has become a defining feature of the West Bank’s complex landscape, where permits for Palestinian construction are scarce, while Israeli settlements continue to expand. Israel’s authorities claim these measures are part of broader security and zoning protocols, asserting that many of these structures lack appropriate permits. However, Palestinians counter that obtaining such permits is nearly impossible due to a bureaucratic system they view as inherently biased, allowing Israeli development while restricting Palestinian expansion.
For the families of Al-Jalameh, agriculture is not just an economic mainstay but a cultural cornerstone that ties them to generations of heritage. Farms like those in Al-Jalameh are vital for their livelihood, providing food, income, and a connection to the land that many feel is slowly being eroded. By halting the operations of these small but essential facilities, locals fear they are being forced into an impossible position. Farmers who defy the stop-work orders risk fines or demolition of their buildings, while those who comply face potential financial ruin, unable to sustain their farms and families without basic infrastructure.
This latest round of stop-work orders comes amid a broader backdrop of escalating violence and increased military presence across the West Bank, particularly around Jenin. Israeli forces have intensified their presence in the region, citing a need to combat militancy. But for residents of Al-Jalameh and other nearby communities, this heightened tension means more frequent raids, checkpoints, and clashes, impacting every aspect of daily life from movement to economic stability.
The international community has taken notice of this deepening crisis, with human rights groups calling for greater scrutiny of Israel’s policies in the occupied territories. These groups argue that Israel’s restrictive measures on Palestinian land use not only violate humanitarian standards but also threaten to stoke further instability in a region already fraught with conflict. For the villagers of Al-Jalameh, however, the immediate concern is finding a way to protect their farmland and sustain their families amid policies they feel are designed to dispossess them.
As these families face an uncertain future, their story highlights a growing struggle for survival in one of the world’s most contested regions. Each stop-work order, every demolished barn, feels like another step toward an uncertain and increasingly restricted life, echoing a sentiment shared by Palestinian communities across the West Bank: “Enough is enough.”
