BRUSSELS: The European Union on Thursday urged Israel to reconsider its decision to demolish a Palestinian Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank, saying it undermines “prospects for a lasting peace.”
A statement from the EU denounced the intended destruction of the Khan Al-Ahmar village which comes at the same time as the construction of more Israeli settlements on occupied land.
“Building new settlements for Israelis while demolishing Palestinian homes in the same area will only further entrench a one-state reality of unequal rights, perpetual occupation and conflict,” the statement said.
The EU referenced a decision made Wednesday to build nearly 2,000 settlement units in the West Bank, while demolishing Khan Al-Ahmar, “the main land reserve of a viable and contiguous Palestinian state.”
Israel says the village in Area C, which has 180 inhabitants and is located near several Israeli settlements east of Jerusalem, was built without a permit.
“These developments, alongside a number of other related actions taken in recent months, seriously undermine the viability of a negotiated two-state solution and the prospects for a lasting peace,” the statement said.
“In line with our long-standing position on Israel’s settlement policy, illegal under international law, and actions taken in that context, such as forced transfers, evictions, demolitions and confiscations of homes, the EU expects the Israeli authorities to reconsider and reverse these decisions.”
The EU said it has raised the issue directly with the Israeli authorities.
EU slams Israeli decision to demolish West Bank Bedouin village
EU slams Israeli decision to demolish West Bank Bedouin village
- The EU denounced the intended destruction of the Khan Al-Ahmar village which comes at the same time as the construction of more Israeli settlements on occupied land.
- EU: “Building new settlements for Israelis while demolishing Palestinian homes in the same area will only further entrench a one-state reality of unequal rights, perpetual occupation and conflict.”
Israel first responders say woman killed after Iran missile attack in Tel Aviv area
- AFPTV images showed a street flanked by residential buildings whose facades were destroyed by blasts, as well as burnt out cars
TEL AVIV: Israel’s emergency service Magen David Adom said on Saturday that a woman was killed in the Tel Aviv area after Iran fired a barrage of missiles toward Israel.
“Paramedics have confirmed the death of a woman in her 40s with severe injuries,” MDA said.
Earlier on Saturday, MDA said that a woman in a critical condition was among 21 people injured in the Iranian strikes.
AFP journalists and Israeli television channels reported first responders and firemen deployed in several parts of Tel Aviv, and physical damage to the city.
AFPTV images showed a street flanked by residential buildings whose facades were destroyed by blasts, as well as burnt out cars.
Firemen extinguished the flames from fires that broke out in the surrounding area while first rescuers evacuated the injured.
Throughout the evening, AFP journalists reported loud blasts in the Tel Aviv area, Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, as Israel’s aerial defense system shot down barrages of missiles.
The military said Saturday evening that “several points of impact” were reported throughout Israel.
Speaking from one point of impact, Israeli police spokesman Dean Elsdunne said that first responders were going from building to building to check for damages and more injuries.
