On 6 September 2021, Fidaa ‘Ataya (34) discovered that settlers had stolen all the equipment from the open-air art workshop she had set up on her family’s land, north of the village. ‘Ataya set up the workshop about four months ago and has since been harassed four times by settlers.
She filed a complaint with the Israel Police every time. Among the objects stolen by the settlers were children’s books, movies, toys, kitchen utensils, musical instruments, water containers and art supplies. A few years ago, an outpost was established about 200 meters from the site. Since then, area residents have been suffering harassment by settlers.
In a testimony she gave B’Tselem field researcher Iyad Hadad, ‘Ataya recounted:
About four months ago, I set up an art workshop on our land. In my artwork, I recycle materials to make them aesthetically pleasing while preserving the environment. I set up a children’s library, a dressing room and a stage there, allowing people to experiment with theater, art and film. I used various objects, including natural materials I found on the land, put up a shed and planted trees and other plants. The whole time, I suffered from provocations by settlers. I filed four complaints with the Israeli police. But on 6 September 2021, when I went to the workshop at 6:00 P.M. to water the trees and work on my art, I saw from afar that the sign had disappeared. When I got closer, I discovered the area had been emptied of all the artwork, materials and tools. They left nothing. Village residents later reported they’d seen settlers near the workshop the night before.
When I saw the place empty, I lost it. Four months of work – down the drain. I know the settlers are trying to drive us out of the land, but I have no intention of giving up.
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