EU rebukes Israel for West Bank demolitions

The EU expresses "serious concern" for the demolition of 22 Palestinian structures in the West Bank, east J'lem.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Palestinian with flag W. Bank370 (photo credit: REUTERS/Mohamed Torokman)
Palestinian with flag W. Bank370
(photo credit: REUTERS/Mohamed Torokman)
The EU missions in Ramallah and Jerusalem were "seriously concerned" on Friday over Israel's demolition of 22 structures in eight locations across the West Bank and east Jerusalem on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The EU statement claimed that the demolitions displaced 28 Palestinians including 18 children and that some of the demolished structures were funded by EU member states.
"These and other recent demolitions appear to put an end to a period in which a welcome reduction in demolitions had been noted," according to the statement, which added that since 2008 more than 2,400 Palestinian structures had been destroyed in Area C and east Jerusalem which resulted in the displacement of 4,400 people.
Area C is 62 percent of the West Bank and is under full Israeli control.
The statement also referred to the May 2012 statement made by the EU foreign ministers that called on Israel to "halt forced transfer of population and demolition of Palestinian housing and infrastructure" in Area C.
The French foreign ministry spokesman, condemned on Tuesday the demolition of a French funded Palestinian Beduin camp in the Jordan Valley, AFP reported.
"France has made ​​representations to the Israeli authorities to call to stop the destruction of homes, the displacement and the destruction of humanitarian emergency infrastructure in Area C, which are contrary to international humanitarian law," Lalliot said.