France slams Israel for razing West Bank building

Paris is criticizing Israel for what it says is the continued demolition of humanitarian structures in the West Bank, calling the moves illegal and saying they are happening more frequently than ever.

The French foreign ministry says Israeli forces razed a building in the West Bank village of al-Aqaba, adding it’s the fourth time Israel has torn down structures funded by France, among other donors.

“France expresses its deep concern at the continuation – at an unprecedented rate – of the demolition and confiscation of structures intended for the Palestinian population,” the ministry says. “It calls on the Israeli authorities to put an end to these operations which are contrary to international law and jeopardize the two-state solution to which France is attached.”

Israel says it tears down buildings put up without permits or on state lands.