For one Palestinian, no money can compensate for lost land
A Palestinian man is celebrating his victory in Israel's Supreme Court after a three-decade battle for land he still can't use — and won't sell.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Al-Hage Abdul Rahman al-Qassem stood near the land he owns on the outskirts of the Beit El Israeli settlement, which was built on Palestinian land in northern Ramallah. He distributed sweets to passers-by, celebrating the ruling of the Supreme Court of Israel against the illegal construction there.
Qassem had been engaged in a six-year legal battle with the settlers who constructed two residential buildings on his land. On July 16, he won a ruling for the demolition of the buildings.
“It is a great joy that I managed to preserve my land, despite it being located within the settlement and my inability to have access to it. I am sure that one day we will restore it. Even when I die, my grandchildren will have it,” he told Al-Monitor.
Qassem has 25 grandchildren who, along with his six children, shared his joy at having regained the land they might never truly call their own. They can only catch a glimpse of it from behind the wall of the settlement.
