The Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued 51 notices to Palestinians informing them of the confiscation of land they own throughout the West Bank.
According to Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center, which monitors Israeli violations, these orders include the seizure of 6,850 dunams of Palestinian territory.
The move is based on decisions issued by the governments of Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert between 2002-2006, but their implementation had been suspended.
The confiscation of the land is aimed at constructing parts of the controversial separation wall and expanding settlements.
The move cannot be barred legally due to the long duration between issuing the order and their application.
A close examination of the order, revealed that the Israeli government, which had claimed that the confiscation aimed to provide security to Israelis, actually intends to establish a new industrial zone in Bethlehem.
The Palestinian landowners were shocked by these orders, which ban them from accessing their lands.
