European diplomatic missions slam Israeli demolitions in occupied Palestine territories

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Diplomatic missions of numerous EU members in Jerusalem and Ramallah on Tuesday slammed ongoing Israeli demolitions in the occupied Palestine territories.

Citing the EU spokesperson’s remarks from earlier this month, diplomatic representatives of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden condemned the demolition of community leader Fakhri Abu Diab's home in Bustan, occupied East Jerusalem.

Their joint statement said: “This demolition, in addition to five recent demolitions in Al Walajah, follows a spike in demolitions in occupied East Jerusalem throughout 2023, where the UN recorded 229 demolitions of Palestinian structures and 663 Palestinians displaced. So far in 2024, the UN reports 31 demolitions in East Jerusalem and 51 Palestinians displaced as a result.”

A similar spike was recorded in the West Bank where 944 Palestinian structures were demolished, and 1,628 Palestinians displaced in 2023 and 142 demolitions which resulted in the displacement of 343 Palestinians so far this year, according to the UN.

The statement warned that Palestinian schools in Area C of the West Bank and in East Jerusalem -- including those funded by international donors -- also remain vulnerable to Israeli demolitions.

“Under international law, Israel, as occupying power, has an obligation to ensure that the occupied civilian population has adequate access to basic education. Palestinian children's right to an education is undermined by Israel's planning and zoning system in Area C which prevents Palestinian development, and construction of schools in Area C,” it added.

“Israel's settlement policy is illegal under international law. Unilateral actions taken in that context, such as forced transfers, evictions, demolitions and confiscations of homes will only escalate an already tense environment and lead to further violence and human suffering,” the statement concluded.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice over its deadly onslaught on the Gaza Strip, which has left nearly 30,000 people dead.

In an interim ruling in January, the Hague-based court ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.