| September 21, 2018
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8 European countries try to interfere in Israel’s Supreme Court ruling

In ignoring Israeli High Court of Justice decision to demolish the illegally built Bedouin encampment, Khan al-Ahmar, and have the squatter residents removed from the public land, a statement was read by the Dutch ambassador outside the UN rebuking Israel’s HCJ decision by publicly trying to (erroneously) associate it to a “forced transfer of population,” a war crime.

By The Associated Press

 

Eight European Union nations are underlining their opposition to Israel’s planned demolition of the illegally-built Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar and are urging its government to reconsider the decision.

The statement was read by Dutch Ambassador Karel Van Oosterom outside the UN Security Council on Thursday. It rebuked the Israeli High Court’s September 5 decision to demolish the desert community.

Against Israeli demands, the EU continued to fund the expansion of the village of Khan al-Ahmar, in the West Bank, on public land illegally occupied alongside national Highway 1. – Photo: TrickyH/Wikimedia

The High Court of Justice (HCJ) rejected an appeal against the demolition of the village in the West Bank, ruling that its stay would expire in a week and the spartan encampment could then legally be torn down

The eight countries are France, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany and Italy. They say in the statement that they “will not give up on a negotiated two-state solution with Jerusalem as a capital” of both Israel and a new Palestinian state.That was an implicit slap at US President Donald Trump’s declaration in December that contested Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

For understanding the backstory, as to why the illegal compound was
constructed at that specific location, Please Read:
EU and Palestinian Illegal "Facts on the Ground"
by Bassam Tawil

Israel claims the village, an encampment of corrugated shacks outside the Kfar Adumim settlement, was illegally built and has offered to resettle residents 12 kilometers, about 7 miles, away. But critics say it’s impossible for Palestinians to get building permits and that the demolition is meant to make room for an Israeli settlement.

The three HCJ judges hearing the appeal said they were presented no evidence to warrant overturning the previous verdict and there was no question over the illegality of the construction on the site.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman lauded the judges for their “brave” ruling.

“No one is above the law. No one can stop us from implementing our sovereignty and responsibility as a state,” he said.

Immediatedly after the HCJ decision, an EU statement was published criticizing the planned demolition.

“The EU and its Member States have repeatedly stated their long-standing position on Israel’s settlement policy, illegal under international law, and actions taken in that context, including the demolitions of Palestinian communities and (possible) forced transfers of population,” the statement said.

“The community of Khan al-Ahmar is located in a sensitive location in Area C, of strategic importance for preserving the contiguity of a future Palestinian state.”

On September 13, Israeli security forces dismantled several shacks built by Palestinian protesters near Khan al-Ahmar.

 

Reuters and Ynet contributed to this report.

 

View original Ynet net publication at:
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5355226,00.html

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