Following the demolition of Humsa Al- Baqai’a, Minister for
the Middle East said:
I am seriously concerned by the demolition of Humsa Al-
Baqai’a, a Bedouin village in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories.
This act caused unnecessary suffering to many vulnerable
Palestinians, including 41 children, and may impact the
community’s ability to withstand Covid-19. It is also
detrimental to prospects for peace.
2020 has seen the highest levels of demolitions of
Palestinian homes and structures since 2016. I call on
the Government of Israel to cease this policy, and
provide Palestinians with a clear, transparent route to
construction in Area C of the West Bank.
In all but the most exceptional of circumstances,
demolitions such as these are a violation of International
Humanitarian Law. This latest demolition by the Israeli
Authorities destroyed the homes of 11 households comprising
of 73 people, including 41 children. The UK provides
funding to the West Bank Protection Consortium, which is
coordinating with the Palestinian Red Cross and the United
Nations to provide emergency shelter to the community of
Humsa Al-Baqai’a.
The UK also continues to support Palestinians to stay on
their land, including through: the West Bank Protection
Consortium which provides essential infrastructure for
vulnerable Palestinians in Area C, and funding legal aid
which helps Palestinian communities challenge eviction and
demolitions decisions in the Israeli legal system.
