Three high-level UN officials on Friday issued a statement calling
for Israel to end demolitions in the occupied West Bank, after
meeting with members of a Bedouin community ousted from their homes
earlier this week in the northern Jordan Valley, while their
belongings were “seized or destroyed”.
After their meeting with the Palestinian Bedouins from Humsa al
Bqai’a on Thursday, Sarah Muscroft, head of the UN’s humanitarian
agency in the occupied territory, James Heenan, head of the UN
Human Rights Office (OCHA) there and Lucia Elmi, UNICEF Special
Representative in Palestine, issued a statement calling for
demolitions to be halted, and international law respected.
“Sixty people, including 35 children, were displaced from their
homes and their belongings seized or destroyed by Israeli
forces”, according to the UN representatives.
Among items seized were tents provided as humanitarian assistance
following an earlier demolition in November of 83 other
structures; the largest single demolition since 2009.
“The demolitions and confiscations were carried out after the
families were verbally ordered to leave the area, although the
community has made it clear they want to remain”, the statement
said.
As the community had already rejected relocation proposals and
even appealed to the courts for help, the UN officials observed
that they are being pressured to move – raising “a real risk” of
forcible transfer, which is a breach of international law.
Children under threat
“The humanitarian community has also consistently expressed
concerns over other impending demolitions, including of schools”,
they said in the statement.
One school in Um Qussa, in the southern West Bank, is currently
under imminent threat of demolition, which would impact 50
children, they added.
And Bedouin children, especially girls, are “amongst the most
vulnerable to human rights violations”.
Moreover, limiting access to education and other basic services
during a pandemic only exacerbates the students’ vulnerability.
Currently 53 schools, which are attended by 5,200 pupils, have
demolition orders placed against them.
“The rights of children to protection, safety, and well-being
must be upheld at all times”, the statement underscored.
The UN representatives upheld that the humanitarian community
would continue to assist those impacted by the demolition and
ensure that their humanity is recognized and dignity upheld,
while advocating for respect for international law.
‘Firing zones’
In the 1970s, Israel declared some 18 per cent of the West Bank,
“firing zones” for military training. Humsa al Bqai’a is one of
38 Bedouin and herding communities located within these zones.
Since 2009, an estimated 7,400 Palestinian-owned structures in
the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have been destroyed,
leaving more than 11,000 people displaced, some more than once.
And since the beginning of this year alone, at least 152
structures, of which 37 were donated, have been destroyed,
rendering at least 184 Palestinians homeless, according to the
UN.
