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UN, European states call on Israel to halt demolitions

27 February 2021, MVT 09:38
A shepherd (top) tending to a flock of sheep looks on as Israeli workers dismantle tents during a demolition operation of a Palestinian bedouin encampment in the area of Humsa, east of the village of Tubas in the north of the occupied West Bank on February 22, 2021. - Humsah al-Baqia lies in the Jordan Valley, a fertile and strategic patch of land that runs from Lake Tiberias to the Dead Sea, which also is at the centre of the battle for the future the West Bank. It falls in so-called Area C, occupied Palestinian territory which remains under full Israeli control. Under Israeli military law, Palestinians cannot build structures in the area without permits, which are typically refused, and demolitions are common. (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP)
27 February 2021, MVT 09:38

The United Nations and European members of the Security Council on Friday called on Israel to stop demolitions of Bedouin settlements in the Jordan Valley, and for humanitarian access to the community living in Humsa Al-Baqaia.

In a joint statement at the end of a monthly session of the Security Council on the conflict in the Middle East, Estonia, France, Ireland, Norway and Britain said they were "deeply concerned at the recent repeated demolitions and confiscation of items, including of EU and donor funded structures carried out by Israeli authorities at Humsa Al-Bqaia in the Jordan Valley."

It said the concern was also focused on the 70 people or so living in the Bedouin community, including 41 children.

"We reiterate our call on Israel to halt demolitions and confiscations," the statement said. "We further call on Israel to allow full, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to the community in Humsa Al-Baqaia."

Humsah al-Baqia sits in the Jordan Valley, a fertile and strategic patch of land that runs from Lake Tiberias to the Dead Sea, which has emerged as a flashpoint in the struggle over the West Bank.

It is in the West Bank's so-called Area C, occupied Palestinian territory that remains under full Israeli military control.

Under Israeli military law, Palestinians cannot build structures in the area without permits, which are typically refused, and demolitions are common.

The UN envoy for the region, Norwegian Tor Wennesland, also voiced his concerns over the demolitions and land confiscations.

He said Israel security forces had "demolished or confiscated 80 structures" in the Bedouin community "in an Israeli declared firing zone in the Jordan Valley."

He said that the actions had "displaced 63 people, including 36 children multiple times, and followed a similar demolition in November 2020."

"I urge Israel to cease the demolition and seizure of Palestinian property throughout the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to allow Palestinians to develop their communities," he said.

United Nations, United States | AFP

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