UN Humanitarian Coordinator (Rawley) expresses concern at displacement of Palestinian civilians – OCHA press release

PRESS RELEASE

United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator expresses concern at the displacement of

Palestinian civilians

Jerusalem, 11 December 2013

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator James W. Rawley expressed concern over the Israeli authorities’ demolition of 30 Palestinian-owned structures in the Jordan Valley yesterday. The demolitions resulted in the displacement of 41 people, including 24 children, and affected another 20. Both refugee and non-refugee families were affected. Some of the families were displaced for the second time this month and a number of donor-funded structures were among those demolished.

“I am concerned about the destruction of Palestinian structures in the Jordan Valley yesterday, resulting in the forced eviction, displacement and dispossession of vulnerable Palestinians. Such actions cause human suffering. They also run counter to international law,” said Mr. Rawley. “These demolitions are particularly disturbing as they leave families without shelter and compromise their livelihoods just as weather conditions are deteriorating. These demolitions must be brought to an immediate halt.”

Since the beginning of the year, over 630 Palestinian-owned structures have been demolished in Area C and East Jerusalem, forcibly displacing 1,035 Palestinians, including 526 children. Seventy (70) per cent of Area C demolitions and nearly 80 per cent of the related displacement has occurred in Jordan Valley communities.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Hayat Abu Saleh

Communications and Information Analyst

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Mobile: 054 3311816

Email: abusaleh@un.org