Brussels, 12/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 11 March, the European Union condemned Israel's demolition of temporary shelters the previous day. The shelters were funded by the EU in Area C, as part of its response to the needs of the affected communities - in accordance with the humanitarian imperative.
“The EU has repeatedly called upon the government of Israel to put an end to demolitions in Area C and to the worsening living conditions for Palestinians living there”, said Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Questioned by EUROPE, Kocijancic was not able to state the amount of financial damage caused by this demolition.
According to the Israeli authority for nature and parks, the Israeli authorities violated the law in demolishing the shelters as the shelter were situated in a national park. European funds had helped build around 200 prefabricated shelters in villages inhabited by bedouins.
Kocijancic reiterated that the EU provides humanitarian assistance to communities in need in Area C of the West Bank on the basis of the principle of the need to protect the most vulnerable people - in line with international humanitarian law.
Around 300,000 Palestinians live in Area C. EU humanitarian funding for Palestine in 2014 stood at €33.6 million. Almost a quarter of this funding has been allocated to legal assistance to families living in Area C and East Jerusalem, to the emergency response to victims of demolitions and evictions, and to coordination with humanitarian partners. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)