The Associated Press, in its report quoted
by the Herald Tribune and Haaretz on Feb 11, 2008,
said that Qiryat Yam sued Google Earth " for slander"
because its worldwide map service showed the town
was built on the ruins of an Arab village, Arab al
Ghawarina or Jidru, in an entry made by Thameen Darby.
by the Herald Tribune and Haaretz on Feb 11, 2008,
said that Qiryat Yam sued Google Earth " for slander"
because its worldwide map service showed the town
was built on the ruins of an Arab village, Arab al
Ghawarina or Jidru, in an entry made by Thameen Darby.
Qiryat Yam official claimed that this is not true,
no Palestinians were expelled from the site because
there was none and the Jewish village was founded
in 1945, before Israel was established.
no Palestinians were expelled from the site because
there was none and the Jewish village was founded
in 1945, before Israel was established.
This is not true. Sheet 15/25, 16/25 (Acre) of the Survey
of Palestine (under the British Mandate) does not show
Qiryat Yam. Instead, it shows Al Ghawarina - Jidru.
The land from the edge of the Arab village site to the
sea is marked on the map as "Government Forest Reserve
No. 2). Aerial surveys taken by RAF in 1946 show no
such Jewish village (photo available for inspecting).
of Palestine (under the British Mandate) does not show
Qiryat Yam. Instead, it shows Al Ghawarina - Jidru.
The land from the edge of the Arab village site to the
sea is marked on the map as "Government Forest Reserve
No. 2). Aerial surveys taken by RAF in 1946 show no
such Jewish village (photo available for inspecting).
As a further proof, sheet V of Palestine Exploration
Fund survey, which started its work in 1871 and printed
its maps a decade later, shows Jidru at the same location
of the British Mandate maps. This confirms the existence
of Jidru from old until 1948 when Qiryat Yam was built
on its ruins.
Fund survey, which started its work in 1871 and printed
its maps a decade later, shows Jidru at the same location
of the British Mandate maps. This confirms the existence
of Jidru from old until 1948 when Qiryat Yam was built
on its ruins.
Some of the expelled Ghawarina fled to Jisr al Zarqa,
which is an Arab town in existence for many decades
before Israel was established.
which is an Arab town in existence for many decades
before Israel was established.
Al Ghawarina earn their living as farmers,
ploughmen and cattle breeders, especially
buffalos. The latter explains why most of them lived near
Hula Lake before they were too expelled by Israel in 1948.
ploughmen and cattle breeders, especially
buffalos. The latter explains why most of them lived near
Hula Lake before they were too expelled by Israel in 1948.
Professor Yossi Ben - Artzi of Haifa University told
Yediot Ahronot that Google's entry is "simply complete
nonsense" and that land was bought by Jews in 1939.
He was probably referring to Kefar Masaryk which
was founded in that year and served as a Haganah
base to attack and depopulate Galilee, which took place later.
Yediot Ahronot that Google's entry is "simply complete
nonsense" and that land was bought by Jews in 1939.
He was probably referring to Kefar Masaryk which
was founded in that year and served as a Haganah
base to attack and depopulate Galilee, which took place later.
Qiryat Yam started building huts on Jidru site to
accommodate Jewish Brigade soldiers of WWII who
came to help in the occupation of Palestine. Its entity
as town was confirmed only in 1976 when it received
"municipality" status.
accommodate Jewish Brigade soldiers of WWII who
came to help in the occupation of Palestine. Its entity
as town was confirmed only in 1976 when it received
"municipality" status.
But the whole controversy fades against the total
picture of al Nakba of 1948 when the Palestinian
population of 655 towns and villages were depopulated,
who now make 7 million refugees. Their confiscated
land is 93% of Israel's area. Arguing about 1,2 or 10
sites will not alter the fact of the 1948 ethnic cleansing,
which will remain the core of the conflict unless peace
based on justice is achieved.
picture of al Nakba of 1948 when the Palestinian
population of 655 towns and villages were depopulated,
who now make 7 million refugees. Their confiscated
land is 93% of Israel's area. Arguing about 1,2 or 10
sites will not alter the fact of the 1948 ethnic cleansing,
which will remain the core of the conflict unless peace
based on justice is achieved.
Dr. Salman Abu Sitta
Palestine Land Society, London
(dedicated to the documentatin of
the land and people of Palestine)
the land and people of Palestine)
__,_._,___
0 Have Your Say!:
Post a Comment