Ongoing Violation of the Rights of Duma Residents Due to Military Blockades and Settler Violence

Blockages on the access roads to the village. Photos courtesy of the residents

The Palestinian village of Duma is home to approximately 3,500 inhabitants. Its economy relies mainly on agriculture and grazing, including growing olives, grains, fruit trees, and sheep, and in the past enjoyed unfettered access to four natural springs. However, over the last decade, the villagers have seen their economic situation and freedom of movement decline significantly. This has been the result of settlement expansion, the establishment of illegal settler outposts adjacent to the village, as well as military policies. 

After the outbreak of the war in October 2023, the army blocked all four access roads to the village. After a month the western access road was reopened, but the other three roads, which connect the village to agricultural areas, springs, and grazing lands, remain blocked. This prevents the movement of shepherds, agricultural vehicles, and agricultural tools and causes major harm to the village’s agricultural activity. 

Moreover, outpost residents engage in systematic violence against Duma residents. This has included invading the lands of Duma residents, burning crops, stealing herds, armed attacks, and taking over springs and turning them into tourism sites for Jews only. In addition to the military blockades, settlers have also established private blockades to prevent Palestinians from accessing their lands—and those who try are sometimes attacked. Twice in the past year, dozens of settlers raided the village; burned houses, cars and agricultural equipment; broke into homes; and attacked residents. Soldiers who arrived at the scene did not prevent settlers from harming residents, and despite the severity of the incidents there were no investigations and no indictments were filed. 

On June 10, 2025 ACRI and Bimkom – Planners for Planning Rights appealed to the General of the Central Command and the head of the Civil Administration, demanding the removal of all blockades (military and private) and the provision of effective protection for Palestinian shepherds and farmers while they work the land and graze sheep. In the appeal, Attorney Hila Sharon from ACRI and Wadiana Yusuf Maradi Atari from Bimkom describe the ways in which the village’s residents rights are violated, the heavy economic losses they incur, and the danger to their lives and physical safety. They emphasize the army's obligation, under both international law and the Supreme Court’s rulings, to allow Palestinians continuous access to agricultural lands and to protect them from settler violence. 

Appeal by ACRI and Bimkom - Planners for Planning Rights, June 10, 2025 (Heb)