KHAN AL-AHMAR, Palestine 21 Sep (ANA)- A delegation of European Parliamentarians has called for an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as prelude to self-determination. 

 

Following a visit to the area from 17 to 20 September, the delegation said: “We support the Palestinian right to self-determination and call for an end to the occupation. The EU and the European Parliament are convinced that a two-state solution is the only viable way to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians." 

 

During the mission, MEPs visited the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar, one of 46 Bedouin communities living under the threat of eviction in an area that Israel has earmarked for the expansion of illegal settlements. 

 

The area, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, is of strategic importance for preserving the contiguity of the future Palestinian state. 

 

“We strongly oppose the destruction of the Bedouin village of Khan Al-Ahmar and other communities facing eviction in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. These demolition orders and similar ones by the Israeli authorities have a sole objective: to enlarge the settlements and divide the West Bank. It is part of the expansion policy of Israeli settlements, which are illegal, as stated in UN Security Council Resolution 2334”, delegation MEPs say. 

 

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on 13 September opposing an Israeli Supreme Court decision clearing the destruction of Khan al-Ahmar, and called on the EU to act immediately and ensure that the residents of the village keep their homes and school. 

 

“The forcible transfer of people under occupation is a grave breach of international humanitarian law which can amount to a war crime”, MEPs say.

 

The parliamentarians also said the Trump administration’s decision to end all funding of the UNRWA undermines vital education and health services to Palestine refugees while seeking to weaken their right of return. The EU must assume its international responsibility and preserve the activities of the UNWRA, they said.

 

"Our Palestinian partners have conveyed a strong message demanding action from the European Union. We call upon the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council to take decisive action in support of Palestinians’ right to self-determination. We reiterate our call upon EU member states to recognise the state of Palestine immediately”.

 

“Israeli settlements and their infrastructure are illegal under international law. Israeli settlers and companies use Palestinian resources to produce products that are traded and sold in the European Union. Settlements flagrantly violate international law,” the delegation said.

 

“We call on the European Commission and member states to fully and effectively implement the existing EU Guidelines and Interpretative Notice and the policy of differentiation. Specifically, no settlement-related activity can benefit from any EU cooperation programme such as Horizon 2020”.(ANA)

FA/ANA/21 September 2018-------