EU Statement on Recent Confiscations of School Structures in the Occupied West Bank

Jerusalem, 24/08/2017 – 14:02 – UNIQUE ID: 170824_3
The European Union Representative and the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah issue the following statement.
The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah express strong concern about the recent confiscations of Palestinian school structures undertaken by Israel in Bedouin communities in the occupied West Bank. Solar panels in Abu Nuwar and a kindergarten in Jabal el Baba have been confiscated, and an elementary school in the village of Jubbet adh-Dhib close to Bethlehem has been dismantled, just at the start of the new school year.
Every child has the right to safe access to education and States have an obligation to protect, respect and fulfil this right, by ensuring that schools are inviolable safe spaces for children.
In line with its long-standing position on this issue, the EU calls upon the Israeli authorities to halt demolitions and confiscations of Palestinian houses and property in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law, and to cease the policy of settlement construction and expansion, of designating land for exclusive Israeli use and of denying Palestinian development.
The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah call on the Government of Israel to return the confiscated equipment and structures.
Contact: EU Press Office on +972-2-541 5888