Holy Land: British Consul joins diplomatic mission to Palestinian village under threat of demolition

Diane Corner OBE, British Consul General ICN/SS

Ms Diane Corner OBE, British Consul General, joined representatives of Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and like-minded missions yesterday, on a visit to the Palestinian community of Khan Al Ahmar in the West Bank, to express their concern at the threat of demolition facing the village. Finland is also supportive of the statement below:

Today, 30 January, like-minded Heads of Mission and other representatives of diplomatic missions joined a visit organised by Israeli NGO B'TSelem to the Palestinian Bedouin village of Khan Al Ahmar. The community, in Area C of the West Bank, has been at risk of demolition by the Israeli authorities for several years.

Legal avenues to prevent the demolition of the village have been exhausted and we understand that the Israeli Government is due to submit its plans on 1 February in response to a court petition demanding its demolition.

Khan Al Ahmar is home to 38 Palestinian families and is also the location of a donor-funded school which serves five communities in the local area. The demolition of the village and the subsequent eviction of its residents could amount to forcible transfer in violation of Article 49 of Geneva Convention IV.

The international community has for many years worked to discourage the Israeli authorities from taking forward the proposed demolitions. Today's visit was an opportunity to restate our concerns. Evictions and demolitions cause unnecessary suffering. We urge Israel to cease such actions.

LINKS

British Consulate, Jerusalem: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-jerusalem

Ms Diane Corner OBE, British Consul General, describes the visit in this film on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BritishConsulateJerusalem/videos/895279294851590
and Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKinJerusalem