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

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah note with concern the stated intention of the Israeli authorities to proceed with the demolition of 10 Palestinian buildings, containing some 70 apartments, which would put at risk of displacement 3 households comprising 17 people, including 9 children, in the Wadi al Hummus neighbourhood. The majority of the buildings are located in Area A and B of the West Bank, under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, according to the Oslo Accords, while 2 buildings are in Area C.

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah express also concern about the eviction on 10 July of the Siam family in Silwan, a neighbourhood of East Jerusalem where several other families from the vulnerable community of Wadi Yasul have received demolition orders, with some 50 cases currently at the Jerusalem District Court.

In line with the EU’s 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 the execution of the intended demolitions and of the eviction.

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah recall the successive Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions and statements in which the EU has repeated its strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and actions taken in this context, including evictions and demolitions. The continuation of this policy undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect for a lasting peace and seriously jeopardizes the possibility of Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both States.

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Press Release

The Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA)