Jerusalem/Brussels, 29/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - Various European sources have told EUROPE that Europeans are examining possible actions to be taken should European projects in Palestine be destroyed by the Israeli authorities. The action included a possible demand for compensation.
“Very concerned at the recent increase in the number of demolitions” by Israel of humanitarian structures financed by the EU and its member states in the West Bank, “the EU and its member states are conducting an internal dialogue on the issue, and different options are being discussed as part of this”, a European source wrote to EUROPE.
Back in September 2015, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides responded to a parliamentary question saying that “the relevant bodies of the Council are working on developing a common European approach to prevent and react to demolitions and confiscations in Area C, including asking for restitution or compensation for the demolished and/or confiscated assets”. This work is still ongoing. According to several sources, the subject has been addressed in the working groups at a basic level, but has not been discussed at ambassador-level - be this in the Political and Security Committee (PSC) or in the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) or at ministerial level.
In conclusions adopted in January 2016 (see EUROPE 11471), the ministers did, however, address the issue, threatening Israel with action being taken in connection with the settlements as they are illegal under international law. Stating that the settlements “threaten to make a two-state solution impossible” and condemning the settlements and steps taken as part of this, “such as (…) the demolitions and confiscations - especially of EU-financed projects”, the Council said that the EU “will consider further action in order to protect the viability of the two-state solution, which is constantly eroded by new facts on the ground”. The Council did not, however, state what type of action the EU could take - if at all. The European Parliament is not encouraging compensation to be sought. In a resolution adopted in September 2015 (see EUROPE 11386), it simply asks the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission “to report the destruction and damage caused to structures and projects financed by the European Union” in Palestine.
The issue of compensation, if it includes a financial aspect, is especially political. According to a European source based in the Middle East, the money at stake does not amount to much. “That's not the issue, even if it is always important to be careful with European taxpayers' money”, the source said. In Stylianides's written response, he gave the example of the fact that between January and May 2015, 41 structures financed by the EU and its member states had been demolished in Area C, coming to an estimated cost of €236,200.
According to the Middle East source, “it's a complicated discussion which is under way”. The issue being discussed is “how the EU can influence Israel so that it stops demolishing structures (…) to help the crucial needs of the Palestinians”, the source added, saying that there were discussions on compensation and that the parties were considering whether this was the best way to take action.
Some member states are reportedly in favour of such compensation. According to a Belgian source, Belgium asked for a compensation mechanism to be created. “This mechanism is being discussed”, the Middle East source stated.
On 12 April, the Belgian ministers for development cooperation and foreign affairs, Alexander De Croo and Didier Reynders respectively, again underlined their resolve for a debate to be held at European level, following the demolition of a children's park at Zaatara which was financed by Belgian development cooperation funds. Stating that projects financed by their partners or by the European Commission had also been destroyed or were under the threat of being so, Reynders said that “Belgium was therefore resolved to continue the discussion at European level of compensation that should be paid by Israel in such cases”. The issue was addressed by the working groups but not at ministerial level, according to a Belgian source. Back in 2014, when a Belgian-financed project was destroyed, Belgium underlined its intention to discuss the issue of compensation at European level. Another Belgian source stated that the issue of compensation was being dealt with at European level and was currently “ongoing”. The source told EUROPE they did not know of any compensation that had ever been paid by Israel. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)