Israel postpones the demolition of a Bedouin village in the West Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu froze his plans to demolish a Bedouin village located in a strategic location in the occupied West Bank, which drew the international community's concern, has announced Sunday his office. "The intention is to give a chance to the negotiations and offers we have received from various forums, including in recent days," Netanyahu's office said about Khan al-Ahmar.

But later, before a meeting with the United States. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Netanyahu seemed to downplay the last move and insisted that the village be cleaned up.

"It's our policy and it will take place," he said. "I have no intention of delaying it indefinitely, but for a short time."

Netanyahu said that the magnitude of the delay would be determined by the security cabinet, which was scheduled to meet on Sunday.

Israeli authorities announced the small village, located east of Jerusalem, along a road leading to the Dead Sea, was illegally built and allowed residents to leave and demolish their structures until the beginning of the month of October

The decision to expel the villagers was legal

The fate of Khan al-Ahmar aroused the concern of the community European countries urging Israel not to pursue the demolition project.

On September 5, the Supreme Court dismissed a final appeal against the demolition, but following this decision, unofficial attempts were made to reach agreements, said a lawyer representing the villagers at the town. 39; AFP. [19659009] "Our offers are based on what we said to the court, that we are willing to move a few hundred meters north," said Tawfiq Jabareen. "On the basis of these proposals, we reached an agreement."

The government still has not responded to these proposals, said Jabereen, refusing to disclose the identity of the person attempting to mediate between the parties.

– Angry Coalition Partners –

Netanyahu's gesture sparked the fury of his two main coalition partners, with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman opposing it the decision to delay the demolition.

The Minister of Education, Naftali Bennett, also insisted that the law should be respected. the international community opposes and threatens it. "

On Wednesday, the Attorney General of the International Criminal Court warned that Israel's" forced evacuation "project could be a war crime. [19659009] The inhabitants refused to go on their own, and Israel was preparing to expel the inhabitants and demolish the village.

Khan al-Ahmar is located in a strategic location near the Israeli settlements.

We have warned that the continued construction of settlements in the region would divide the West Bank in two, laying a deadly blow to any hope of finding a two-state solution.

[ad_2]
Source link