The Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights stressed today, Thursday, the need for the European Union to take effective measures against Israel to stop the policy of demolishing Palestinian homes.
In a statement, the Euro-Med Monitor welcomed the European Union’s call for Israel to stop demolishing homes, including European-funded buildings, in light of the demolitions reaching a record high this year.
However, the Observatory stressed that the European Union should not be satisfied with media stances and exert real pressure on Israel by taking concrete steps to stop the home demolition policy, which represents grave violations.
The Observatory for Human Rights had recently sent a political memorandum to the European Union regarding the escalation by Israel of demolishing Palestinian buildings in the West Bank, especially the areas classified (C).
A spokesman for the European Union’s External Action Department issued today a statement condemning the Israeli demolition of more than 70 Palestinian buildings in Khirbet “Humsa al-Fawqa” north of the Jordan Valley in the West Bank, which led to the displacement of 73 people, including 41 children.
The statement warned that there are currently 52 Palestinian schools threatened with demolition, and called for "the protection of children, including ensuring their right to education in a safe and secure school environment," stressing that Israel must stop the demolitions, especially in light of the humanitarian impact of the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. .
Following the head of the Euro-Med Monitor, Rami Abdo, the European Union’s statement is a positive recognition of the danger of the increasing Israeli demolitions of Palestinian buildings amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
Abdo stressed that what is required now is to translate the European position into meaningful policies and procedures that put an end to Israel´s violations of international law and its obligations towards the Fourth Geneva Convention as an occupying power.
The Euro-Med Monitor delivered a direct political memorandum to several EU lawmakers last October, explaining in detail the seriousness of the Israeli targeting of the Palestinian presence in Area C, which constitutes about two-thirds of the West Bank, in addition to East Jerusalem.
The memo indicated that despite the Corona pandemic and the accompanying economic repercussions, Israel has significantly intensified the demolition of Palestinian buildings.
The memo stressed that Israel "does not only seek to undermine the buildings funded by the European Union, but also aims to eliminate them completely."
With regard to refuting the Israeli pretext to demolish Palestinian buildings as "lacking a permit", the Euro-Med Monitor provided documentary details that Israel did not allow construction and development for Palestinians in Area (C) or the connection to water and electricity networks.
The International Human Rights Monitor indicated that the Israeli authorities deliberately made obtaining building permits almost impossible for Palestinians or foreigners, as they approved only 2.3% of applications for building permits between 2009 and 2012.
Since the beginning of the year 2020, Israel has demolished 689 structures throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, a number that exceeds what was demolished during the entire year since 2016, which led to the displacement of 869 Palestinians and left them homeless.
