Mysterious Fences in Jordan Valley Restrict Palestinian Herders

Palestinian herders in the Jordan Valley are facing severe restrictions due to the construction of numerous fences on private Palestinian land. These fences, often made of barbed wire and reaching up to two meters high, effectively block access to grazing areas, forcing herders to purchase expensive feed for their livestock. One resident, Mohammed, described waking up to find a fence erected meters from his home, preventing him from reaching his usual grazing lands. He stated that those building the fence told him in Arabic to "get out of here. It will be better for you."

While Palestinian activists and residents suspect Israeli settlers are behind the fences, aiming to expand their control over land, the IDF claims responsibility. The military states the fences are intended to safely demarcate military firing zones where live training occurs, citing safety concerns after incidents involving unexploded ordnance. However, activists like Dror Etkes from Kerem Navot, who has mapped the fences, argue that many are not located near declared firing zones and that the military's explanation does not align with the reality on the ground.

Evidence, including videos showing individuals in civilian clothing, some wearing shirts with Hebrew writing, and even minors involved in construction, contradicts the IDF's claim that the military is solely responsible. The Civil Administration, responsible for land use and building permits in Area C of the West Bank, has aligned with the IDF, calling the fence construction an "IDF operation." The Israeli state has also admitted in separate High Court of Justice (Bagatz) proceedings that some fences were erected without proper authorization and should be dismantled.

According to OCHA data, between January and May of the current year, 107 settler attacks resulting in casualties or significant property damage were documented in the Jordan Valley. The fences are seen as part of a broader pattern of violence and settlement expansion aimed at displacing Bedouin communities. Over 2,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the Jordan Valley between January 2023 and July 2026 due to settler violence and restrictions on access to grazing and living areas, with 11 Bedouin communities completely erased.

In legal challenges, the state has acknowledged that some fences were built illegally. In one case, a fence near the village of Farsiya was dismantled only after a court order compelled the state to act, nearly a year after its construction and despite the state's admission of illegality. Another fence near Ein al-Hilweh, partly built on land owned by the Latin Patriarchate, was also slated for removal by October 28 after the state committed to its dismantling. Despite these legal acknowledgments and some removals, activists report that kilometers of these fences remain standing.