Friday September 11, 2009 12:03 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian Minister of State, Maher Ghunaim, slammed a decision by the Israeli occupation government so-called  High Court to prepare a schedule for demolishing dozens of Palestinian structures in Al-Sawiya and Yitma villages, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

The number of structures in question is nearly 260. The illegal Israeli settlers (who would dispossess Palestinians in the area) stated that the Bedouins, using the structures, are not indigenous to the area and that they came from different parts of the West Bank.

The decision came after an appeal was filed by a fundamental settler group against the Palestinians living in that area, especially after Israel decided to raze some illegal structures installed by the settlers on Palestinian lands.

The courts’ position disregards the fact that the Palestinians, the Arabs, the Bedouins are the natives of the country, and that they were the ones who were forced out of their homes and lands before and during the establishment of Israel on their homeland. The settlers said that the Palestinians are in the midst of constructing a home and a school in addition to some paths leading to their village.

The Palestinian structures in question are mud brick homes and small wooden huts, all built on what Israel claims to be ‘state owned lands’ within the boundaries of the illegal settlements of Kfar Adumim and Ma’aleh Adumim.

Ghunaim said that the real danger in this decision is that it is considered the first step in dealing with thousands of Palestinian homes built in Area C, which is under Israeli control and not under the ‘control’ of the Palestinian Authority.

He added that the decision is part of a “racist Israeli settlement expansion policy”.

The minister further stated that Israel is challenging the International Community, the Quartet Committee and even the U.S. administration.

He said that Israel is ongoing with its illegal settlement activities in the occupied West Bank, including in occupied East Jerusalem, an issue which is considered the main obstacle that hinders the peace process.

Ghunaim also said that settler organizations, encouraged by their government, are violating all related international resolutions, especially after Israel decided to construct 2500 homes for Jewish settlers in the occupied territories, in addition to the construction of 430 homes in Pisgat Zeev illegal settlement.