EU concern at Israeli confiscations of school structures in occupied West Bank

August 25, 2017
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The EU has expressed “strong concern” about the recent confiscations of Palestinian school structures undertaken by Israel in Bedouin communities in the occupied West Bank. Solar panels in Abu Nuwar and a kindergarten in Jabal el Baba have been confiscated, and an elementary school in the village of Jubbet adh-Dhib close to Bethlehem has been dismantled, just at the start of the new school year.

“Every child has the right to safe access to education and States have an obligation to protect, respect and fulfil this right, by ensuring that schools are inviolable safe spaces for children,” said a statement from EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah on 24 August.

“In line with its long-standing position on this issue, the EU calls upon the Israeli authorities to halt demolitions and confiscations 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.”

The EU called on the Israeli government to return the confiscated equipment and structures.

 

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EU statement

EU Technical Office in Jerusalem

Countries covered:

  • Israel
  • Palestine *