Brussels, 23/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Union deplores the fact that, on Friday 20 September, Israeli soldiers confiscated humanitarian material which was intended for homeless Palestinians in the West Bank. The EU calls on the Israeli authorities to respect the principles of international humanitarian law.
“The EU deplores the confiscation of humanitarian assistance carried out by Israeli security forces yesterday in Khirbet al-Makhul. EU representatives have already contacted the Israeli authorities to demand an explanation and expressed their concern at the incident. The EU underlines the importance of unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and the applicability of international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva in a joint statement published on Saturday 21 September.
The confiscated material - food and tents - was intended for around a hundred Palestinians whose homes have been demolished by Israel. Diplomats from the member states and the EU were accompanying the humanitarian convoy which was stopped by the Israeli forces. (AN/transl.fl)