PHOTOS: Israel demolishes homes in Umm el-Hiran amid violence

Activestills By Activestills January 19, 2017 | Edit

Israeli authorities begin demolishing the Bedouin village of Umm el-Hiran in preparation for its replacement with a Jewish town, following violence which left a Bedouin man and an Israeli police officer dead, and a Palestinian MK wounded.

Photos by Keren Manor and Faiz Abu Rmeleh

Umm el-Hiran before and after Israeli bulldozers carried out demolitions, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Umm el-Hiran before and after Israeli bulldozers carried out demolitions, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Hundreds of Israeli police officers arrived in Umm el-Hiran at around 5.30am, running towards the mosque where residents and activists had gathered, ahead of planned demolitions in the unrecognized village. Shortly after a few rounds of live fire were heard, followed by a burst of shots and shouts that people had been killed. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Hundreds of Israeli police officers arrived in Umm el-Hiran at around 5.30am, running towards the mosque where residents and activists had gathered, ahead of planned demolitions in the unrecognized village. Shortly after a few rounds of live fire were heard, followed by a burst of shots and shouts that people had been killed. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Police began violently dispersing those present, using shock grenades, pepper spray and sponge-tipped bullets. Among those injured by the latter was Joint List head Ayman Odeh, who was allegedly struck in the head and back. Police assert that Odeh was struck with a stone thrown by protesters, but eyewitnesses dispute this claim. Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Police began violently dispersing those present, using shock grenades, pepper spray and sponge-tipped bullets. Among those injured by the latter was Joint List head Ayman Odeh, who was allegedly struck in the head and back. Police assert that Odeh was struck with a stone thrown by protesters, but eyewitnesses dispute this claim. Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
After dispersing everyone from the center of Umm el-Hiran, Israeli police fanned out throughout the village to prevent people from coming and going, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
After dispersing everyone from the center of Umm el-Hiran, Israeli police fanned out throughout the village to prevent people from coming and going, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Rabbi Arik Ascherman holds up a photo of a 100-year-old resident of Umm el-Hiran whose home was slated for demolition, as bulldozers enter the village behind him, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Rabbi Arik Ascherman holds up a photo of a 100-year-old resident of Umm el-Hiran whose home was slated for demolition, as bulldozers enter the village behind him, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Bulldozers demolishing homes, Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Bulldozers demolishing homes, Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Seven tractors worked in tandem to demolish homes, animal sheds and other farm structures in Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Seven tractors worked in tandem to demolish homes, animal sheds and other farm structures in Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Keren Manor/Activestills)
Women weep outside the demolished home of Yaqub Musa Abu al-Qian, who was shot dead by police. The Israeli authorities claim that Qian deliberately ran over a police officer with his car, killing him, while eyewitnesses say that police opened fire on the car before it sped up — a version that appears to be supported by police aerial footage of the incident. Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Activestills)
Women weep outside the demolished home of Yaqub Musa Abu al-Qian, who was shot dead by police. The Israeli authorities claim that Qian deliberately ran over a police officer with his car, killing him, while eyewitnesses say that police opened fire on the car before it sped up — a version that appears to be supported by police aerial footage of the incident. Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Activestills)
The ruins of a demolished building in Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Activestills)
The ruins of a demolished building in Umm el-Hiran, January 18, 2017. (Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Activestills)
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Activestills is a collective of Israeli, Palestinian, and international photographers, united by a conviction that photography is a vehicle for political and social change. We believe in the power of images to shape public attitudes and to raise awareness on issues that are generally absent from public discourse. We view ourselves as part of the struggle against all forms of oppression, racism, and violations of the basic right to freedom. Our images are frequently published by many leading human rights, development, and advocacy agencies, as well as by alternative and leading news media. To stay updated on our latest images, like Activestills on Facebook or visit our Flickr photostream.