Representatives of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain,
Sweden, the United Kingdom and
the European Union together with the
Palestinian Ministry of Education call on Israel to rescind its
recent decision of the Israeli Civil Administration to demolish a
donor-funded school in Amera, Hebron.
Israeli authorities issued a final demolition order against the
school on Education Day (24th January), leaving the school
at imminent risk of demolition. Should the demolition go ahead,
39 Palestinian school children will be deprived of their basic
right to education. The nearest alternative schools are
approximately 5km away. Without adequate transport, students must
make the long journey by foot, exposed to settler attacks, a
heavily trafficked road and inclement weather. Under these
conditions, girls and children with disabilities in particular
are at a high risk of dropping out.
Palestinian schools in Area C – including those funded by donors
– remain vulnerable to Israeli demolitions and settler violence.
Since 2022, Israeli authorities have demolished three
donor-funded schools. In addition, three donor-funded schools
have been vandalised by Israeli settlers and are currently not
operational.
Under international law, Israel, as occupying power, has an
obligation to ensure that the occupied civilian population has
adequate access to basic education. Palestinian children’s
right to an education is undermined by Israel’s planning and
zoning system in Area C which prevents Palestinian development,
and construction of schools in Area C.
Representatives of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain,
Sweden, the United Kingdom and
the European Union call on Israel 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. Failure to do so seriously undermines a
two state solution and is a major impediment to peace and
security.
