A Labour MEP will today tell Knesset foreign affairs and defence committee chair Avi Dichter that Israel’s illegal destruction of the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar must be halted. Mr Dichter is facing questions from MEPs on the European Parliament foreign affairs committee.
Wajid Khan MEP, member of the European Parliament foreign affairs committee, said:
“We will raise urgent concerns with Mr Dichter about Israel's aggressive actions towards the residents of the Khan al-Ahmar community. The demolition of Khan al-Ahmar contravenes the Geneva Conventions, is opposed by the international community and will cause untold pain and misery.
“The Israeli authorities’ proposed transfer of the residents of Khan al-Ahmar would move a rural livestock-dependent community to an urban site unsuitable for the Bedouin livelihood, culture and traditions. This is likely to increase their level of humanitarian need. Israel has a responsibility to protect the Khan al-Ahmar residents, which it is quite clearly not meeting.
“If Israel goes ahead with this, and other such blatant disregarding of international law like the never-ending blockade of Gaza and the new nation-state law, the European Union cannot and must not look the other way, and in the European Parliament we will continue to push for action.
“I look forward to hearing Avi Dichter's response and having a dialogue with him about how we can make progress towards a peaceful, two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.”