Stop demolishing houses, EU tells Israel

TENSIONS between the EU and Israel have spiked over Israel’s continued demolition of Palestinian homes in Area C of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank.

The EU has demanded Israel stop demolishing these homes in Area C, which comprises over 60% of the occupied territory and which the Israeli Civil Administration reserves specifically for illegal Israeli settlements by largely preventing Palestinians from building there – including installing water and electricity infrastructure – via the denial of building permits.

The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that last week during a meeting between European diplomats and Israel’s new Foreign Ministry director-general Yuval Rotem, the diplomats delivered a strongly-worded letter to Rotem after reading it out aloud at the meeting.

The European diplomats focused on the pending demolition of the Bedouin Village of Khan al Ahmar near the Israeli settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim, arguing its demolition would entail forced transfer of residents and be a violation of the Geneva Convention.

“Enforcement measures such as forced transfers, evictions, demolitions and confiscations of homes and humanitarian assets (including EU-funded) and the obstruction of delivery of humanitarian assistance are contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law,” stated the letter.

“We urge Israel to accelerate approvals of Palestinian master plans, halt forced transfers of population and demolitions of Palestinian housing and infrastructure; simplify administrative procedures to obtain building permits, ensure access to water and address humanitarian needs.”

The EU’s strong action was motivated by demolition notices to all 42 homes in Khan al Ahmar, in the strategic area known as E1, which links Ma’aleh Adumin to Jerusalem.

The Bedouin in Khan al Amar live in temporary shelters cut off from any utilities. – ANA