UN Humanitarian Coordinator Rawley expresses concern on obstruction of humanitarian assistance for Palestinian community following demolitions – Press release

UN Humanitarian Coordinator expresses concern at obstruction of humanitarian assistance for Palestinian community, following recent demolitions

Jerusalem, 20 September 2013

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. James W. Rawley expressed deep concern that Israeli forces prevented the provision of humanitarian assistance to a community in urgent need in the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank.

In today’s incident, Israeli forces seized a vehicle carrying tents from an international humanitarian organisation destined for the community of Makhul, where 48 Palestinians, including 16 children, are in urgent need of emergency shelter following repeated demolitions this week by the Israeli authorities.  The forces also confronted members of the humanitarian and diplomatic communities who were present on site.  

“The United Nations and its partners remain committed to providing humanitarian assistance to populations in immediate need”, Mr. Rawley said, adding that the international humanitarian community would continue efforts to mitigate the humanitarian impact, including displacement and loss of livelihoods, of demolitions which have been on the rise over recent months in the West Bank. “I call upon the Israeli authorities to live up to their obligations as occupying power to protect those communities under their responsibility, including to halt demolitions of Palestinian homes and property,” said Mr. Rawley.

“The displacement of a whole Palestinian community in the occupied Palestinian territory is a very disappointing development at such a delicate moment where we look forward to positive measures on the ground”, Mr. Rawley concluded.

ENDS

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For more information, please contact:

Saskia Ramming (Ms.)
Spokesperson

Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator
     for the Middle East Peace Process – UNSCO
Jerusalem
Phone: +972 2 568 7259

Mobile: +972 54 56 27 842
Email: ramming@un.org