Israeli settlement threatens Palestinian UNESCO village

Israeli settlement threatens Palestinian UNESCO village

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Israeli settlers are constructing a new illegal outpost near Palestinian olive groves in Battir, a UNESCO-protected zone.

Heletz Settlement:

• The Heletz settlement was approved by the Israeli government.
• Heletz is one of five settlements approved deep in Palestinian territory.
• The settlement aims to block Battir and increase local tensions.

Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir

• Battir, with its ancient terraces and Roman-era irrigation system, is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2014.

Location

• Situated a few kilometres southwest of Jerusalem
• Located in the Central Highlands between Nablus and Hebron

Landscape Features

• Terraced Valleys: Known as widian, these valleys are used for farming.
  • Irrigated Terraces: Used for market garden production.
  • Dry Terraces: Planted with grapevines and olive trees.

Agricultural Practices

• Terrace Farming: Developed to utilize the mountainous terrain.
• Irrigation System:
  • Sources: Network of irrigation channels fed by underground sources.
  • Distribution: Traditional system used to share water among Battir village families.

Source: TH