Stephen comments on demolition of West Bank village of Al-Wallajah
Credit: Hammam Fuad
@pkseva via Unsplash
Stephen has outlined his concerns about the case of the case of Mahmoud Mahmoud Maher Abu Khyara in the West Bank village of Al-Wallajah, whose house is subject to demolition orders by the Jerusalem Municipality.
The Khyara family’s original property was demolished by the Israel Defense Forces in 2017. The new house was built with the help of the Amos Trust. Stephen raised the issue with the Foreign Secretary and asked that the UK Government call for the demolition orders issued against the Khyara family in Al Wallajah to be rescinded. He also asked the Foreign Secretary to demand that Israel abide by international law and human rights obligations with regard to its position as an occupying power and stops home demolitions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, together with implementing a fair planning system in the areas under its control.
Speaking about the case, Stephen said: “I am concerned about the demolition of homes and vital social infrastructure by Israeli Government authorities in the West Bank. The eviction of Palestinians from their homes causes unnecessary suffering.
“I recognise that the issue of demolitions is linked to the heavy restrictions on building permits for Palestinians, which make it very difficult to build legally within Area C of the West Bank. I believe the current building permit system is unsustainable and incompatible with the idea of a viable Palestinian state.
“With our permanent seat on the UN Security Council and our historical role in Israeli-Palestinian affairs, I believe the UK has a moral duty to be proactive on this important issue.”