EU criticizes Israel’s demolition of Palestinian structures

Since 2008, some 2,400 Palestinian homes and buildings were knocked down in Area C, displacing over 4,400 people, according to European body

A Bedouin camp located in the E1 area, between Jerusalem and the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim, in December 2012. (Lior Mizrahi/Flash90)
A Bedouin camp located in the E1 area, between Jerusalem and the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim, in December 2012. (Lior Mizrahi/Flash90)

The European Union on Friday lashed out at Israel for demolishing 22 Palestinian structures in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and displacing 28 people, including 18 children.

The EU missions in Ramallah and Jerusalem condemned the destruction of the structures, which took place at eight locations on Tuesday and Wednesday. In a statement, the EU claimed some of the structures had been funded by the EU.

“These and other recent demolitions appear to put an end to a period in which a welcome reduction in demolitions had been noted,” the EU stated. “Since the year 2008 more than 2,400 Palestinian houses and structures have been demolished in Area C of West Bank and East Jerusalem, displacing more than 4,400 people.”

According to the administrative divisions of the West Bank that were agreed to in the Oslo Accords in 1993, Area C is under full Israeli control, whereas Area B is controlled by both Israelis and Palestinians, and Area A falls under Palestinian jurisdiction.

In May 2012, the EU had called on Israel to halt such demolitions of Palestinian housing and infrastructure in Area C, according to the statement.

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot also condemned Israel’s knocking down of a Palestinian Bedouin camp Tuesday in the northern Jordan Valley, which he claimed was clearly financed by France.

“France has made representations to the Israeli authorities to stop the destruction of homes, the displacement and the destruction… in Area C, which are contrary to international humanitarian law,” Lalliot said, AFP reported.

Israel did not immediately respond to the EU’s criticisms.

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