Introducing Ras al-Auja
Ras al-Auja, located in the Jordan Valley is home to approximately 120 families from 5 clans. Part of the Jericho municipality, this community constitutes one of the largest Bedouin gatherings in the central Jordan Valley. The residents live in tents and makeshift shelters without basic infrastructure or protection and face imminent threats of displacement.
Settler violence in this area has escalated significantly. Residents, particularly school children, have been subjected to ongoing harassment, intimidation, and displacement.
Livelihoods are being destroyed, livestock stolen, possessions seized, and wells poisoned to force families out of their ancestral land. Reports indicate that settlers have gone as far as burning the mosque and attempting to run over residents with vehicles. These assaults occur under full protection of the Israeli military, which also blocks access to the school.
Since the war on October 7, 2023, settler aggression has intensified, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. Despite previous visits from American and British consuls, no tangible steps have been taken to alleviate the suffering of this community. Urgent intervention is needed to document and expose these crimes on social media platforms and other international channels.
UCP in Palestine strongly believes that Ras al-Auja is among the most vulnerable in Area C of the West Bank because the families have limited protection. More importantly, the local community has invited us to stand with them to support and protect them.