EU recalls its firm opposition to Israel’s demolition of Palestinians structures

European Commission spokesperson for foreign affairs issues Peter Stano said that the EU once again recalls it opposition to Israel’s demolition of tents and structures belonging to Palestinian families in Hamsa al-Foqa village, in the northern Jordan Valley, leaving 80 people, including 41 children, homeless.

Israel Palestine: Confiscation,demolition of structures in Hamsa al-Foqa & dislocation of around 60 people confirm regrettable trend despite #COVID19 & obligations of 🇮🇱 as occupyting power under intl humanitarian law. 🇪🇺 calls to halt this practice https://t.co/8qL0uG4hef

— Peter Stano (@ExtSpoxEU) February 9, 2021

In recent days, Israeli forces confiscated and demolished a total of 46 structures belonging to Palestinian families in Hamsa al-Foqa in the northern Jordan Valley.

This was the second time in which structures in the community were demolished following another major demolition carried out on 3 November 2020.

Some 60 Palestinians, including 35 children, were displaced in the course of this latest incident. Structures funded by the EU and EU Member States were affected in both cases.

“These large-scale demolitions confirm the regrettable trend of confiscations and demolitions seen throughout last year,” said Stano.

“They have continued despite the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, notwithstanding the obligations of Israel as the occupying power under international humanitarian law. The European Union reiterates its call to Israel to halt demolitions and the need to facilitate humanitarian access to the affected communities.”

“The EU recalls its firm opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and actions taken in that context, such as forced transfers, evictions, demolitions and confiscations of homes, which it sees as illegal under international law and as an impediment to a viable two-state solution.”

Stano also said that the EU reiterates its call on the Israeli occupation to halt all continued settlement expansion, including in East Jerusalem and sensitive areas such as Har Homa, Givat Hamatos and E1.

Almost 800 Palestinians, including 404 minors, lost their homes in 2020.

Throughout 2019, 677 lost their homes, up from 387 in 2018 and 521 in 2017.