European Union missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah said Israeli policy of demolishing houses, displacing and expelling Palestinian residents undermined the possibility of achieving a two-state solution and lasting peace.
The European missions said in a statement Tuesday that they were following with concern the declared intention of the Israeli authorities to begin demolishing 10 Palestinian buildings, including some 70 apartments, exposing three families of 17, including nine children, to the danger of displacement in the Wadi al-Homs neighborhood of East Jerusalem.
According to the statement, the majority of the buildings in Wadi Al-Homs are located in the A and B areas of the West Bank. These areas are under the control of the Palestinian Authority according to the Oslo Agreement (Interim Peace Between Palestinians and Israel), while two of these buildings are located in the " C ".
EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed concern about the expulsion of the Siam family from Silwan, a neighborhood of East Jerusalem, on July 10.
"Many other families from the underprivileged community in the Yassol Valley received demolition orders, with about 50 cases currently pending in the Jerusalem District Court."
"In line with the EU´s consistent position on the Israeli settlement policy, which is illegal under international law, like other measures taken in this context, such as forced transfers, evictions, demolitions and house seizures, the EU expects the Israeli authorities to reconsider the implementation of Planned demolitions and evictions. "
"European Union missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah recall the conclusions of the successive Foreign Affairs Council, in which the European Union reiterated its strong opposition to the Israeli settlement policy and actions taken in this context, including evictions and demolitions."
"The continuation of this policy undermines the possibility of achieving a two-state solution and lasting peace, and seriously threatens the possibility that Jerusalem will be the future capital of both countries."
The Israeli authorities intend to carry out demolition orders in the Wadi al-Homs area under the pretext of "maintaining the freedom of movement of the army in the area adjacent to the separation wall" and for the purpose of building the targeted buildings without a permit.
