EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah visit Palestinian community in Area C facing threat of demolition
Jerusalem, 28/02/2017 – 13:26 – UNIQUE ID: 170228_11
The EU Heads of Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah visited Khan al Ahmar, adjacent to East Jerusalem, composed of five Bedouin communities. The EU Heads of Missions met with community leaders and humanitarian organisations that deliver aid to the community.
Two weeks ago, Israeli officials served almost all structures in one of the communities in Khan al Ahmar (Abu al Helu) with military "stop work" orders. This underscores the threat of demolition and displacement of the community. Abu al Helu is home to 140 Palestinian refugees who have been living in the community since the 1950s.
EU Representative in Jerusalem Ralph Tarraf and EU HoMs in Jerusalem and Ramallah speaking to students at the "Tire School'' in Khan al-Ahmar
One of the structures affected is a school funded by the EU and EU Member States that provides around 170 children from the area with education. A demolition of the school would severely impact negatively on Palestinian children's right to education.
EU Representative in Jerusalem, Ralph Tarraf, press point at Khan al-Ahmar
The EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah call upon Israel not to carry out demolitions in the said community. Displacing the community would be in contravention with Israel's obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law.
For more information:
The Office of the European Union Representative
Shadi Othman (02 5415 867, 0599 673 958); Inas Abu Shirbi (02 541 5 859, 0599 673 957)
Document Type: Arabic text, Press Release, Statement
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Subject: Children, House demolitions, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Internally displaced persons, Jerusalem, Land, Legal issues, Occupation, Settlements
Publication Date: 28/02/2017