A view of the rapidly expanding Jewish colony of Har Gilo closing the hill-top above the Palestinian town of Beit Jala. Har Gilo, constructed on land of al-Walaja and Beit Jala, will be located west of the Wall, and a new access road for the settlers is under construction. © BADIL
To be lost once more due to the Wall: remains of the 1948 depopulated village of al-Walaja, which is famous for its many springs and fertile land. The former residents of this home currently reside in the Dheisha refugee camp, Bethlehem, and demand their right to return home. In the background: Jewish colony, occupied East Jerusalem (view from south to north). © BADIL
Israel's Wall terminal underconstruction west of Beit Jala and the Palestinian town of al-Khader. This terminal will prevent Palestinian movement on Road no. 60 linking Jerusalem to the southern West Bank (view to the south). © BADIL
At the United Nations
Meanwhile, establishment of the UN Register of Damages caused by the Wall, including mandate, structure and budget, was endorsed by the UN General Assembly in December 2006 (see document section). No other practical steps have yet been taken, however, by the UN to register the losses and damages incurred to Palestinians. Palestinian and international NGOs remain concerned about the lack of transparency of the process, including nomination of the Register's three-member Board. A Technical Working Group of NGOs, including BADIL, meets regularly, monitors progress, lobbies the UN for speedy and professional implementation of UN Register in according with the standards set by the 2004 ICJ advisory opinion, and offers its expertise to Palestinian popular committees and official bodies whose role will be essential for successful documentation of Palestinian losses and damages by the United Nations.
