Palestinian villagers carry struggle against illegal settlements into Canadian courts

Canadian Firms Sued Over Settlements

The lawsuit asks the Canadian court to order the companies a halt to all construction in Modiin Illit settlement on the land that belongs to the village of Bilin. (Google photo)

"The message is that we will act against all those attempting to confiscate our lands," Abdullah Abu Rahme, a resident in Bil'in, told Yediot Ahronot on Thursday, July 10.

The companies "are part of the occupation that seizes our lands and hands them over to the settlers," Abu Rahme added.

Residents of the village brought their case to the Quebec superior court in Montreal on Wednesday against Green Park International and Green Mount International, sister companies registered in Montreal.

The lawsuit asks the Canadian court to order the two companies a halt to all construction in Modiin Illit settlement on the land that belongs to the village of Bil'in.

It also demands the demolition of all the housing units the firms have already built.

About 250 apartments in 30 buildings are built in Modiin Illit, Israel's largest settlement.

The villagers also seek punitive damages worth around $2 million.

War Crime

In their suit, Bil'in villagers accuse the Canadian firms of committing a war crime.

The suit cites the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which includes as a war crime "the transfer, directly or indirectly, by the occupying power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies."

"In so doing, the defendants are aiding, abetting, assisting and conspiring with the state of Israel in carrying out an illegal purpose," reads the lawsuit's writ filed to the court.

The suit also affirms the two companies' building of a settlement violated Geneva Conventions and the Canadian Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Act.