On Sunday 7 May the EU condemned the demolition of the EU-funded school in Jubbet Adh Dhib, near Bethlehem in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, earlier that day by the Israeli Defence Forces.
“The EU has been following closely this case and has asked the Israeli authorities not to carry out the demolition which directly affects 81 children and their education”, the European External Action Service spokesperson said in a statement.
Highlighting that the demolitions were illegal under international law and that children’s right to education must be respected, he called on Israel to stop all demolitions and expulsions, “which will only increase the suffering of the Palestinian population and risk fuelling tensions on the ground”.
Last year, 954 structures were demolished or seized by the occupation authorities throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, “the highest number recorded since 2016” the spokesperson noted, adding that over 80% of the demolished structures (781) were located in Area C. A total of 1,032 people were displaced as a result of the demolitions.
“This year is already following a similar worrying trend” the spokesperson said. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)