The disappearing valley Wadi Fukin A Pearl in

The disappearing valley… Wadi Fukin: A Pearl in the Judean Hills Photographs courtesy Mike Leiter, Maya Dicker, Zach Tagar

Wadi Fukin is a Palestinian village nestled in the midst of remarkable landscape, full of unique, breathtaking views

The village is located to the west of Bethlehem, just over the Green Line between Tsur Hadassah and Beitar Ilit Jerusalem Tsur Hadassah Wadi Fukin Beitar Ilit

A rich tradition of irrigated agriculture has developed in the valley, and the quality of its produce is renowned in the entire region.

The local agriculture, on which the residents depend on for their livelihoods, is reminiscent of Biblical agricultural practices.

Eleven natural springs flow through water canals into over 70 irrigation ponds, from which the local farmers irrigate their fields and orchards.

The valley, rare in its character and beauty, has been designated for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The villagers, who were forced to leave in the past, continued to work their lands even while living as refugees in nearby camps. This lasted until 1972, when their return was approved by Moshe Dayan in a rare historic move. (from Yellow Wind by David Grossman)

Today Wadi Fukin is under threat!

Wadi Fukin ll B ) Planned Road 374 Planned route of the barrier Ilit, Be itar Ts (Hi ah ass d a ur H The planned separation barrier between Tsur Hadassah and Wadi Fukin will tear the western valley ridge. This is in addition to the expansion of Beitar Ilit and construction of a planned road on the eastern side of the valley.

The separation barrier will cause irreversible damage to the landscape and the local agriculture. The barrier system (60 -100 m. wide) is expected to prevent rainwater percolation into the aquifer.

This means the probable drying up of some of the springs…

…and with them, the permanent loss of this precious gem.

A word on the intended route of the fence: In the neighboring Etzion Bloc (Gush Etzion), there is separate primary barrier which is expected to envelope the Bloc from the east and the south. The fence planned for Wadi Fukin is to be a secondary barrier. It will end approximately 500 meters south-east of Tzur Hadassah. This barrier is not planned as part of a contiguous barrier. This barrier will leave the settlement of Beitar Ilit at its eastern side. ( בצלם : )מפה …it will however irreversibly damage the gem of Wadi Fukin.

We won’t let Wadi Fukin disappear! For additional information, click to the following sites: Regional landscaping survey: evaluating the natural landscape resources, the human heritage value, and the contiguous open spaces (Oct. 2005); Hydrological survey (Oct. 2005) Friends of the Earth Middle East (Fo. EME)