Energix Exploiting COVID-19 Lockdown in Occupied Golan
"Palestine- Energix Exploiting COVID-19 Lockdown in Occupied Golan", 25 April 2020.
Israeli energy company, Energix Ltd...is taking advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown in the occupied Syrian Golan...to develop sites for its harmful wind farm project. Accompanied by Israeli police, Energix representatives are visiting project sites to demarcate plots and erect signs...due to COVID-19 movement restrictions, Golani Syrians are grounded in their homes, unable to monitor or peacefully protest Energix's activities. Those that have risked their health to venture out and film Energix and Israeli police visits to project sites have subsequently been harassed and questioned by the police...Energix's wind energy project has been marked by a strategy to manipulate and intimidate the Syrian population. This culminated in Energix suing Al-Marsad and members of the Syrian population under Israel's controversial 'Anti-Boycott Act' last year in an attempt to silence the organisation and others who expressed concerns about the project's legality and impact on the Syrian population. Energix has subsequently withdrawn five lawsuits against Golani Syrians and...was ordered by an Israeli court to pay up to $5,000 USD per person for legal expenses.
...UN Special Rapporteurs...have written to the Israeli government and Energix...As Energix manipulates a global health crisis, under the direct protection of Israeli security forces, lawful and legitimate protest has been extinguished from the Golan...the Syrian population is seeking to pursue new avenues for justice as more than 20 Syrians are now attempting to nullify land contracts with Energix, and Al-Marsad, with partners, is contemplating a new petition to the Israeli Supreme Court to halt Energix's work...