Britain on Friday said it was deeply concerned by Israel’s demolition of Khirbet Humsa a Bedouin hamlet in the northern Jordan Valley region in the occupied West Bank.
“I am seriously concerned by the demolition of Humsa … This act caused unnecessary suffering to many vulnerable Palestinians including 41 children and may impact the community’s ability to withstand Covid-19. It is also detrimental to prospects for peace” British minister for Middle East James Cleverly said in a statement.
“2020 has seen the highest levels of demolitions of Palestinian homes and structures since 2016. I call on the government of Israel to cease this policy and provide Palestinians with a clear transparent route to construction in Area C of the West Bank” he added.
Cleverly said the latest demolition by the Israeli authorities destroyed the homes of 11 households comprising of 73 people including 41 children adding that his country was providing funding to the West Bank Protection Consortium which cooperates with the Palestinian Red Cross and the UN to provide emergency shelter to the community of Humsa.
“The UK also continues to support Palestinians to stay on their land including through the West Bank Protection Consortium which provides essential infrastructure for vulnerable Palestinians in Area C and funding legal aid which helps Palestinian communities challenge eviction and demolitions decisions in the Israeli legal system” he added.
