Jerusalem, 13 December 2016

Local Statement on Israeli demolitions and confiscations of Palestinian structures in Area C

The European Union Representative and the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah issue the following statement.

The EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah deplore the demolitions of Palestinian structures undertaken by Israel in the occupied West Bank.

On December 6, Israel demolished three residential structures in Fasayil al Wusta that had been provided as humanitarian aid by the EU and EU Member States, and confiscated solar panels and electrical equipment from the community of Susiya. The day after, two livelihood structures were demolished in Al Khalayleh and An Nabi Samwil. These incidents affected 257 Palestinians.

These incidents bring the number of structures demolished by Israel in Area C during 2016 to 866. 5,704 Palestinians have been affected, of whom 1,221 have been rendered homeless (including 586 children), and humanitarian structures provided by the EU and EU Member States worth approximately EUR 536,000 have been either destroyed or confiscated.

EU humanitarian activities are carried out in full accordance with International Humanitarian Law, with the sole aim of providing humanitarian support to the most vulnerable population.

In line with its long standing position on this issue, the EU calls upon the Israeli authorities to halt demolitions of Palestinian houses and property, in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law, and to cease the policy of settlement construction and expansion, of designating land for exclusive Israeli use and of denying Palestinian development.

Contact: EU Press Office on +972-2-541 5888